The LEGO Woodland Mushrooms set introduces the Botanical Collection's first dedicated fungal theme, delivering an aesthetically pleasing build that captures the essence of a forest floor. However, the intricate details and compact design demand a delicate touch.
The set comprises 806 pieces and retails for $79.99, aligning with the standard per-brick price for non-licensed LEGO sets. The pieces are organized into seven bags, with one exceptionally large flat piece noted for its uniqueness within the build.
Accompanying the build is an instruction booklet that details the specific flora and fungi being recreated, including the autumn crocus, bracken, common bonnet, oyster mushroom, golden chanterelle, fly agaric, marzipan fibrecap, and collared earthstar. Some of these are recognizable from popular gaming titles such as Stardew Valley.
The construction begins with a foundational layer representing the forest floor. This base is built up with brown and green blocks, quickly establishing elevated platforms that add dimension. The initial fungi constructed are fly agaric mushrooms, distinguished by their iconic red and white-spotted caps, reminiscent of those found in Minecraft's dark forest biomes.
These mushroom elements, while appearing in other LEGO sets, are designed to slot into small tube pieces at various angles. While achieving the perfect angle can be challenging, the intention appears to embrace a whimsical arrangement. The building process progresses from right to left, sequentially adding mushroom and flower sections to the foundation. A more tedious stage involves placing numerous small green leaves to create a moss-like texture.
A Harmonious Palette
The color palette employed in the set is a strong point, effectively distinguishing each type of fungi while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Vibrant purples, yellows, and reds are balanced with more subdued browns and greens, contributing to the organic appearance. The set also features a notable lack of symmetry in its design, which prevents the building process from becoming repetitive and results in a more dynamic and varied final display.
Delicate Construction
A primary challenge in assembling the Woodland Mushrooms set is the confined space on the foundation, which can make it finicky to attach smaller pieces and new sections. This cramped environment, however, contributes to a sense of fullness and a highly detailed final product. The organic arrangement, due to the asymmetry, further enhances the realism of the forest floor.
The build concludes with the addition of a final, prominent mushroom placed above the initial fly agaric mushrooms, providing a sense of completion. The entire set took approximately a couple of hours to assemble, making it suitable for an evening's activity.
Display Considerations
While the front of the set is intricately detailed and layered, the rear is less finished. This indicates the set is intended for display at specific angles, requiring consideration for its placement. When positioned correctly, the Woodland Mushrooms set stands out as one of the most visually appealing LEGO builds.
Overall, the LEGO Woodland Mushrooms set achieves a high level of detail, even when compared to other entries in the Botanical Collection. The success of this fungal-themed set may pave the way for future adaptations of other flora and fungi into LEGO form.