Out of all the Friends sets that I have looked at, this one has a strange aura. Paying only £5 for this, was a bonus, with the set now retired (2023,) you will pay around £18 for a boxed one from old stock. The overall look of the set is the same as always, with two figures and a supposed doggy with a rear wheel-mount. This, and the red-wrench for the van, are missing. It feels kind of odd, missing the key component that is named within the set’s title.
It is colourful and a joy to look at. The rear of the van pops off to offer a small rescue centre for Dr. Marlon to use. I got the feeling that Nova is the assistant, but am still somewhat confused by the drop-off box, next to the bus-stop. It has a rod through the back that you can hit to push the dog out, at speed (Perhaps to simulate the dog running in fear?) I am not sure where they were going with this idea. If it is a cardboard box, which the rescue idea works with, then what is this dog’s story? It has had work to provide wheels for them to get around, yet thrown out of their home? I feel that a standard puppy part would have made more sense. Perhaps it’s in the accessibility?
I am not overly impressed by it, but can see why a young child would love it. It is, by far, the most ‘aimed’ set I have built. By this, I mean that it is clearly pointed towards those that like cute! Saying that, the van is cool, and is another vehicle that would look great in a City build. It is in no way worth £18! I think that getting your hands on your old sets, then mashing them up would provide the same kind of fun. On the whole, I can imagine a young kid lapping it up, even just for the initial build.
First Impressions – Very sweet, but lacking for the price-point.
Price-Point – Above Average
Time to Build – 50-60 Minutes
Score: 6/10
(All details were correct at the time of writing, 25th December ‘2024)
