Is the LEGO Icons Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck (76989) a Good Investment Set?

12th March 2023

The Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck is scheduled to retire at the end of 2023. If you're wondering whether this set should be one to prioritise buying in the months ahead, then read on, as in this article we determine whether the Tallneck is going to be a good investment set or not.

The set

The Tallneck depicts one of the solitary reconnaissance machines that wander the uncharted lands in the Forbidden West video game.

The set closely mirrors its source material, although at 35cm it's not to minifigure scale, as Tallnecks are much larger in the Horizon games. However, the shape and colours are accurate and captures the elegance of the machine.

The oval-shaped baseplate is very unusual but works perfectly in this set as it matches the curved design of the Tallneck's head. The limited space has also been used well to convey the different terrains that feature in Forbidden West. The inclusion of a Watcher figure is also a nice addition and a good choice given that they are comparable in height to humans.

It should be noted that the Tallneck has limited articulation, so it's a set that's geared up solely for display. But that's ok because the model looks fantastic and the set is aimed firmly at the adult market.

Overall, this is an impressive and distinctive set, and a great replica of its video game namesake.

Value for Money

The Tallneck didn't escape the price rises that occurred last year, and as a result its RRP increased from £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 to £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99. This means a price per piece of 6.5p / 7.4c / 7.4c, which is very reasonable on the face of it, but this is helped by the large number of small parts. However, I still think the pricing feels right for what you get.

The Minifigures

The single minifigure in this set depicts Aloy, the protagonist in the Horizon games. Every part of the Aloy is exclusive, which makes her a very unique minifigure. I also doubt that LEGO will make another Horizon-themed set so she's likely to remain exclusive to this set.

What's more, the printing on the torso, arms, and legs is exceptionally detailed, as is the mould of the soft rubber hairpiece. If the popularity of the Horizon games continues, I can see her becoming very collectible in the future, which would bode well for this set's investment potential.

Unique Parts

At the time of writing, the Tallneck has several unique parts, including Aloy's white bow and arrow and pearl gold sword accessories. Therefore, if you want to buy Aloy separately, it's worth trying to get her accessories too, as these could become relatively valuable if they remain exclusive to this set.

Outlook

As mentioned above, this set includes a good build and an even better minifigure. However, besides the set being highly rated, one of the strongest factors in the Tallneck's favour is its short shelf life. If it retires as expected at the end of 2023, it will have been available for less than 2 years, which is shorter than most sets.

Another plus point is the popularity of the Horizon video games, which is down to the quality of Forbidden West, and its predecessor Zero Dawn. As long as the franchise keeps going in the same vein, this set is likely to be in demand after it retires. My only reservation is how much the LEGO and Horizon fan groups overlap, and whether there will be enough Horizon gamers wanting to spend over the odds to have the set. This is hard to predict so only time will tell.

TLDR

Investment opportunity: Good

Despite my reservations about how much demand there will be for this set after it retires, I think the Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck has strong investment potential. It's based on a popular franchise, includes a good build and one of the best minifigures of last year, and has a shorter than average shelf life. All these things suggest it will do well on the secondary market, but it's one of the riskier buys in my opinion.

Disclaimer: This article or any others on brickranker.com should not be considered financial advice and investing in LEGO is risky.

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