i like the Snow hideout It Is a great set there are a couple problems though the torch next to the ice window and the fence next to the tree is a little bit unsecret and the door should've been iron. with a lever i like the little presure plate that you put the creeper on and pretend that the snow golem shot the creeper it's a good steve on to the mobs

its a nice print for the creeper and the iron golem it is a very nice build

Disclaimer: I'm new to Minecraft - just started playing this summer.

I bought this set from a fellow AFOL at a good discount, mostly for the white parts. Or so I justified the small cash outlay.

Up until now I've seen no point in Minecraft sets - other than a source of 2x2 / 2x4 bricks, or parts in a particular colour. The builds at first glance look overly simplistic and good only for young children, and overpriced at that.

I was pleasantly surprised by the build experience with this set. Sure, it's no AFOL-orientated expensive Creator set. But neither is it simply a stack of 2x2 bricks.

There is some good detailing and not-so-simple building techniques that an AFOL could easily overlook. A building with hinged side for interior access is simple, but add on a roof that comes off easily, and you realise this technique is no different to that found on any large modular. The tree contains simple SNOT techniques - but I know some of us AFOLs still struggle to include this technique where we could. I wouldn't have thought to use trans-green in a tree, but it works. And the door...

The brick-built door not only captures the Minecraft look rather well, but is an object lesson in not needing all those specialised bits and pieces. You don't need a door to make a door in the Lego world - or in Minecraft. It's the first time I've ever seen those reddish-brown flowers used this way!

There is an 'alternative' build at the end of the instructions. It didn't appeal to me, but I appreciate the attempt to remind both KFOLs, TFOLs and AFOLs that a set *can* be remade in different ways.

As for playability, I'm not the target audience. I can say that my husband, and both teenage daughters, took delight in discovering the ice-breaking play feature and generally 'fiddling' with the set once built.

As for parts, I am not disappointed. Looking back over the last five years, how many low-to-mid-priced sets contain any quantity of white? Barely any.

Take the 8x8 plate - hard to come by at this price, and the set has 3 other plates 4-stud wide or more. Add in 21 of the 2x2 bricks and 15 2x4's (plus others in other colours)... and I would think anyone going for a Winter Village or Hoth-based scene would be all over this set, if they can get it for a good price. As we all know, used white bricks can be a disappointment.

Look carefully and you'll see very few pieces so Minecraft-specific that they can't be used in your MOCs. With some creativity, even the base of the Creeper could be used in landscaping creations. A light bluish-grey bucket comes in less than a dozen sets, most of them Minecraft. And those pieces currently unique to this set, are excellent for MOCs - 1x1 printed buttons tile, 1x2 printed buttons brick - great for a snowman, or maybe elevator buttons, or...? The printing on mine was sharp, and an extra 1x1 printed tile came as a bonus. Check out the 8 2x2 trans-medium blue bricks also for your icy lake or village well.

My set came with 14 'extra' pieces, including an extra flower stalk.

Verdict: If you don't do Minecraft, you probably won't 'get' this or any other set in the theme. But you still might want to give it a second look for parts. Pick one up second-hand if you can be sure it hasn't had too much sun. And you might surprise yourself once or twice during the build with the classic Lego "I would never have thought of that" moment.