LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition review

LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition may be small, but it packs a lot of content into one must-have model – especially for the price.

Featuring one exclusive minifigure, one currently-exclusive mob (the name for the creatures in Minecraft) and another rare mob, 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition didn't need to include an equally interesting and appealing build to draw in LEGO Minecraft enthusiasts... but it does anyway.

LEGO Minecraft collectors may need to add this small and inexpensive set to their wishlist for 2024 – it's one not to miss.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition set details —

Theme: LEGO Minecraft Set name: 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition Release date: January 1, 2024 

Price: £8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99 Pieces: 75 Minifigures: 1

LEGO: Order now

— Where to buy LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition —

LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition will be available at retailers online and in-store for £8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99 from January 1, as the smallest entry in the 2024 LEGO Minecraft selection so far.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition build —

First impressions of the build in 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition are that it's immediately forgettable, but going hands-on with the set is enough to change those initial perceptions. The small camp is the perfect size to sit on a desk without taking up much room but still offers a decent slice of Minecraft to show off. It's a charming scene too, which vastly helps its visual appeal.

The contents of this encampment include a fire, which employs a non-standard technique for the theme; a shelter; a cactus built in a new way for LEGO Minecraft; and a crafting table with a small amount of flowing water.

The unusual LEGO Minecraft cactus immediately draws the eye and it's an overall improvement from the original LEGO Minecraft cactus designs, which opted for studs on all sides instead of representing the stripes on the prickly plant. This does mean that you can no longer harvest part of the LEGO cactus, but it's a reasonable trade-off.

There's enough room for Steve to lie down in the shelter or (just about) stand under it to escape the desert sun. As much as this build manages to pack a lot into a small space, it's still exactly that and once you've admired it a few times, there's not much else to spot.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition characters —

The characters in 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition include a new minifigure for Steve with a more accurate skin tone as well as a blue streak across his face.

The blue colouration isn't explained anywhere in the set's literature, but it could be from splashing in the water, sweating in the heat or even stray spit from a passing llama or camel. (Camels can't spit in-game, but this is LEGO. Use your imagination!)

A Phantom makes a second appearance after debuting in 21173 The Sky Tower in 2021. While these mobs are annoying in-game, their inclusion is more than welcome here and it's undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the model. The small stand is a nice touch too.

A baby camel wraps up the character selection in 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition as the first appearance of a LEGO Minecraft camel. It uses a new piece and there's little doubt it will feature in future sets, but including it in such an affordable model is the cherry on top of an amazing LEGO Minecraft character line-up.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition price —

For £8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99, LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition is a surprising steal and something that every LEGO Minecraft collector should consider picking up next year. Whether it be the appealing bite-sized build, the amazing character selection or the fact that it's an uncommon desert model, rest assured it's great value too.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition pictures —

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition pros and cons —

LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition's size and contents kept our expectations low and that may be why we've come away so impressed with the model. Even after plenty of time appreciating the set, it still offers an incredible bundle of rare LEGO Minecraft content presented in a genuinely interesting way, despite its size.

Its low price makes it affordable to boot and it's well worth adding it to a larger LEGO Minecraft purchase in 2024 or grabbing it on its own. 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition is one of the best LEGO Minecraft sets for 2024 so far – even though it doesn't look like much at first glance.

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition —

There are not a lot of LEGO Minecraft sets like 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition and its rare or exclusive content means that you won't find a true alternative throughout the theme. However, both 21164 The Coral Reef and 21177 The Creeper Ambush are good picks within the same price range.

— LEGO Minecraft 21251 Steve's Desert Expedition FAQs —