Comparing LEGO 10332 Medieval Town Square to its spiritual predecessor

Just how has a classic Castle set of yesteryear acted as the inspiration for the upcoming LEGO Icons 10332 Medieval Town Square?

Today saw the official reveal of 10332 Medieval Town Square, an upcoming LEGO Icons set that’s due to arrive early next month. The 3,304-piece build will be available for LEGO Insiders first on March 1, with everyone else able to pick up the £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99 model from March 4.

Despite its modern appearance, 10332 Medieval Town Square is in fact based on a classic LEGO Castle set of the past, as confirmed by the model's lead designer. 10193 Medieval Market Village was released all the way back in 2009 and was a 1,601-piece creation that included eight minifigures, a variety of animal figures and various themed accessories.

At first glance it would seem as if 10332 Medieval Town Square follows a similar formula, offering up two separate hinged buildings that can be displayed closed or opened up to reveal detailed interiors. Both medieval models also come with Tudor-style walls, market stalls and carts, as well as a standalone tree build.

However, anyone expecting a like-for-like remake of 10193 Medieval Market Village may be disappointed by 10332 Medieval Town Square. The upcoming LEGO Icons set is ultimately more of a spiritual successor to the classic Castle model, taking the previous build as its initial inspiration but forging ahead with its own identity.

Gone is the Blacksmith’s industrial mill with water wheel, replaced by a cheese factory, woodworking shop and weaving workshop. Likewise, the dusty blue exterior of 10193 Medieval Market Village’s posh tavern makes way for the Broken Axes inn featuring more earthy and olive green tones, with a shieldsmith's workshop inside and a grey watchtower attached on the outside.

While 10332 Medieval Town Square certainly appears to pack plenty inside its various interiors, there’s a more sparse and simple look to the rooms in the classic LEGO Classic set, a visual tone that seems more in keeping with the specific time period.

10193 Medieval Market Village also benefits from the addition of more animals, including two brown cows (a new mould at the time), a horse for pulling the cart, a rat and a brick-built chicken, rooster and duck. The menagerie included with 10332 Medieval Town Square is sure to be appreciated, even if there’s only one Goat figure, but may feel a little on the stingy side for what should be a bustling slice of medieval civilian life.

Speaking of which, both sets also include eight minifigures, although there’s a different line-up in each. While 10193 Medieval Market Village features two Crown Knights, 10332 Medieval Town Square only comes with one Lion Knight tower guard (plus a sneaky Wolfpack thief), giving the LEGO Icons model more of a calm feeling to the scene instead of a sense of an impending sword battle.

On the plus side, both builds would actually pair well with another classic LEGO Castle set, 2011’s 7189 Mill Village Raid. The 663-piece model also boasts two distinct and separate buildings with an alternate selection of townsfolk, soldiers and animal figures, offering up an ideal way to expand your medieval models, if you can afford to pick up 10193 Medieval Market Village for a decent price that is.

10332 Medieval Town Square arrives on March 1 for LEGO Insiders, before receiving a wider launch on March 4. The LEGO Icons set will be priced at £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99 and you can find out more about the upcoming model in our visual tour and gallery here.

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