There are some licensed LEGO themes where I legitimately have no familiarity with the source material. That’s true for these Overwatch sets. I have never played the game and I don’t know anything about the characters, locations and the story of the game. I’m relying on the Overwatch fans among you to let me know if these sets are amazing or an abomination.
I quite like the look of some of these but that’s as far as my opinion goes.
All of the sets are now listed on the Australian online store with a January 1st release.
Here are the details of the six sets announced.
75970 Tracer vs. Widowmaker – $19.99
Immerse your favorite Overwatch® fan in epic missions with this LEGO® Overwatch 75970 Tracer vs. Widowmaker set. Based on the internationally acclaimed team-based action game, this set recreates the drone satellite from the Watchpoint: Gibraltar map where Overwatch heroes Tracer and Widowmaker battle for control of the payload. With weapons for the heroes and space in the drone satellite to sit a minifigure, youngsters will love playing with this set’s instantly recognizable characters and setting. Older fans will love to show their passion for Overwatch by displaying the set by their gaming setup for all their friends to see.
75971 Hanzo vs. Genji – $39.99
Now your favorite Overwatch® fan can build the Hanamura dojo in LEGO® bricks with LEGO Overwatch 75971 Hanzo vs. Genji. Based on the internationally acclaimed team-based action game, this Overwatch toy recreates the epic face-off for the Hanamura dojo between the rival dragon brothers Hanzo and cyborg ninja Genji. With weapons for the highly recognizable Overwatch heroes and a buildable dojo, kids will love to play out the action from the game, while older fans will want to show off the set next to their gaming setup.
75972 Dorado Showdown – $49.99
Now your favorite Overwatch® fan can build an iconic Dorado building and payload truck with LEGO® Overwatch 75972 Dorado Showdown! Based on the internationally acclaimed team-based action game, this Overwatch building set features an instantly recognizable building from the popular Dorado map and 3 characters, Soldier: 76, Reaper and McCree. With Overwatch weapons, Dorado building, and a payload truck like in the game, fans of Overwatch will want to build and display it for their friends to see, while youngsters will like playing with the vehicle and mini market building from the game.
75973 D.Va & Reinhardt – $59.99
For your favorite Overwatch® fan, a buildable mech suit and powered armor with LEGO® Overwatch 75973 D.Va & Reinhardt! Each of these instantly recognizable Overwatch tank heroes features an Overwatch minifigure so fans can place the highly-detailed Overwatch characters inside through the hatches that open. Reinhardt features a massive buildable Rocket Hammer and both minifigures have smaller weapons so younger fans can play out the action of the game, while older fans may want to display the minifigures and toys next to their gaming setup!
75974 Bastion – $89.99
A fully reconfigurable LEGO® Overwatch® 75974 Bastion figure for your favorite Overwatch fan! One of the most recognizable Overwatch characters from the internationally acclaimed team-based action game, this buildable toy display model can be configured from recon mode to sentry mode without any rebuilding! Fans will love the realistic detail of this Overwatch toy and will want to display it near their gaming setup—an Overwatch collectible for every fan!
75975 Watchpoint: Gibraltar – $139.99
For the Overwatch® fan, the iconic Overwatch rocket and launch tower from one of the game’s most popular maps with LEGO® Overwatch Watchpoint: Gibraltar 75975! Based on the internationally acclaimed team-based action game, this building set features an Overwatch rocket that splits into 2 separate rockets, and 3 Overwatch characters including Pharah with her Rocket Launcher, Mercy with her Caduceus Staff and Blaster, Reaper with his twin Hellfire Shotguns, and a Winston big figure with his Tesla Cannon. Youngsters will like playing with the buildable rocket and Overwatch heroes with their unique weapons, while adult fans will want to build and display this instantly recognizable collectible model near their gaming rigs to show their affinity for the game!
I used to play a bit of Overwatch racking up a couple of hundred hours. I am not sure how successful it really is as a franchise, apart from having a stellar launch, although I would not say it is currently a “dead game” either.
Personally I assume that this is perhaps a far more niche product than Lego realises. I think they may have been conned into thinking it is bigger than it really is due to the enormity of Blizzard and the initial success of the game. It is commonly thought of being in the same vein as other Blizzard franchises such as StarCraft or Warcraft, however, it does not have anywhere near the depth (and therefore longevity?) or community enthusiasm as these. Ultimately the game was Blizzard’s mediocre answer to Valve’s classic franchise Team Fortress.
I have to say though, that the sets look fantastic and are priced pretty well too. I am amazed by how well the designers have captured the aesthetic and characterisation of the game. I hope that they do well as I can see the talent that has gone into creating them. I am not going to pick any up myself though.
The Overwatch kits look good and I reckon the mecha-based ones will sell. But they’re also too expensive in AUD for the number of parts in each.