Age
Age recommendations are rather conditional, but it is still not recommended to deviate from them. So, building blocks for older children may contain small parts that a curious little child can swallow. At the same time, sets for little ones are easy to assemble and uninteresting for adult children. And an age-appropriate construction set can be too complicated and uncomfortable, upset or even scare the baby.
Note that the age category to some extent also characterizes the maximum age at which the constructor can be useful. For example, a set for
1+ and
2+ is unlikely to attract an
8-year-old or even a
7-year-old elementary school student, and a complex design of
14+,
16+ and even
18+ often turns out to be interesting even for adults over 30 and even over 40. However, even within the same age category, much depends on the characteristics of a particular set, in particular, on the type of game. And there are options for designers for any age. In addition to those listed above, there are also
3+,
4+,
5+,
6+,
9+,
10+,
11+,
12+.
Number of pieces
The total number of parts included in the delivery of the designer. At the same time, the calculation, usually, also takes into account the details that make up individual characters (torso, arms, legs, head, etc.) — despite the fact that the figures are most often delivered assembled and are not designed for disassembly during normal use . Also note that the kit may include several spare parts, in case of breakage or loss of any of the main elements.
Number of characters
The number of characters included in the delivery kit of the designer. In this case, a character means a figure of a person or a humanoid creature (for example, an alien or a robot). Animals do not formally belong to the characters, therefore they are indicated separately, in the notes to this paragraph; the exceptions are anthropomorphic (humanoid) figurines, which differ from people only in facial features, the presence of claws and tails, etc. Also note that this category does not include creatures whose assembly is the main purpose of the constructor. For example, if the constructor is designed to assemble a humanoid robot, and the mechanic of the robot is made in the form of a separate figure, then only the mechanic will be considered a character.
Control via smartphone
by definition, a
construction set with smartphone control implies the presence of a motor (see the relevant paragraph). The feature is popular in robotics-related models (see "Game Type"), but is also found in other varieties. Note that not only a smartphone can be used for control, but also another gadget on which you can install the appropriate application — for example, a tablet. The connection is usually carried out via Bluetooth, which gives a range of up to 10 m. And the application itself can provide not only direct control, but also programming — the execution of user-defined motion programs.
