Review: LEGO 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol

March 31, 2023 | 5

For my next 2023 LEGO Indiana Jones review, it’s time to wind back the clock to the beginning with 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol, which takes us to the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors, which introduced the world to Dr. Indiana Jones, and his archaeological talents.

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol is the flagship set of the 2023 LEGO Indiana Jones theme, and with its black box and premium pricetag is aimed at adults that are nostalgic for Raiders of the Lost Ark.

This 2023 version of Temple of the Golden Idol is a reimagined version of 7623 Temple Escape from 2008, and if you missed out on the older version, this is a superb remake that incorporates LEGO’s “diorama” format and superb play features into a dynamic and fun set that’s unlike any other modern set.

Pack your whip, a sack of sand, and let’s venture into the Temple of the Golden Idol to find the elusive Golden Fertility Idol!

Who is this set for? Adult LEGO Indiana Jones fans looking for a premium build experience that blends both displayability and ingenious play features that allow you to re-enact pivotal sequences from the opening scene of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Special thanks to LEGO for sending this set over for review.

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol Set Details

Set Name: Temple of the Golden Idol
Set number: 77015
Pieces: 1,545
Price: US$149.99 / AU$239.99 / £129.99 / €149.99 / CAD$199.99
Minifigures: 4 (Indiana Jones, Belloq, Satipo, Hovitos Warrior)
Theme: Indiana Jones 2023
Release Date: 1 April 2023
Set Designer: Andrew Seenan, Senior Design Manager, Harald Pofahl, LEGO Design Master, Casper Glahder, LEGO Graphic Designer.

The instruction manual is unapologetically nostalgic, with this iconic movie poster of Raiders of the Lost Ark on the front.

Here’s a look at the contents, which features plenty of shots from the Indiana Jones franchise, an introduction to the Temple of the Golden Idol, and even a profile on Indiana Jones – everything you’d expect from an adult-targeted LEGO set.

Here’s a look at the sticker sheet, which features plenty of stickers used as decorations in the temple. While I don’t mind the faces which are all unique and have incredibly playful illustrations, I was very disappointed that the quotes and the Raiders of the Lost ark stylised logo were not printed.

LEGO have printed all their diorama quote plaques, so this seemed like a really odd, cost-savings measure that clashes with precedent. I hope LEGO doesn’t get any more ideas and convert diorama quote tiles to stickers.

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol Minifigures

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol comes with 4 minifigures – a Hovitos Warrior, Indiana Jones, Satipo and Belloq. It’s the same number of minifigures as 7623 Temple Escape but this time, we get the long-awaited inclusion of a Hovitos Warrior minifigure, which will please LEGO Indiana Jones fans.

First up, let’s take a look at Indiana Jones and his treacherous guide, Satipo. Indy of course is updated for 2023 and features a brand new hat accessory, with hair fused to it and features new and modernised prints on his body and face.

Combined with the hat, I think Indy’s face looks pretty good, but also acknowledge that this might feel quite alien to those who grew up with LEGO Indiana Jones and may miss the more classic look.

Satipo (played by Alfred Molina) looks fantastic, and the graphic designers really captured his facial features, and his sweaty, wrinkled outfit.

The magic happens in the back, with Indy’s alternate face covered in spiderwebs (and a lone spider), with an annoyed look after losing the idol to Belloq. Satipo has a look of dismay, and also two large tarantulas crawling up his back, in a nod to the scene where Indy removes them with his whip.

Here’s a better look at Indy’s alternate face, which has spiderwebs obstructing his face, and a spider crawling across his face.

Up next we have a Hovitos Warrior, and Indy’s rival, the French archaeologist René Belloq. The Hovitos Warrior is an excellent addition to the LEGO Indiana Jones theme, as it’s never been made before, and features a descendant of the Chachapoyans.

The minifigure features body art on the face and body, as well as a loincloth. Belloq on the other hand features a cunning expression, and his tan outfit. The fabric textures printed are really nice, but I really wish they’d have given him leg printing with some boots on.

Belloq doesn’t have a dual-sided head but comes with a Pith helmet and I love the sweat stains on his pits and pack!

The Hovitos Warrior has back printing and a dual-sided head with an angry expression.

All up, the minifigure lineup is pretty great, with all the key characters and most importantly features like spiders, and Indy’s webbed face captured nicely with modern minifigure printing technology.

There’s a noticeable lack of leg printing on Belloq and Satipo, as well as arm printing which I would’ve liked to see on the Hovitos warrior, but this has the right mix of characters included the long-awaited debut of the Hovitos Warrior minifigure.

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol Set

And here’s the completed build, which was thrilling from start to finish.

There are 10 numbered bags in total, and the build had a really great mix of more technical play mechanisms, building of Ancient Peruvian ruins which all comes together to make a large diorama display set.

Despite there being only 10 bags, the build took a while because there are quite a number of intricate sections, especially the parts that activate the traps in the temple which rely on a dizzying (and well-hidden!) array of Technic parts.

One of the highlights of the build were the numerous carved Chachapoyan faces that are found across the temple. Each face is unique, and I really enjoyed the sheer variety and ingenious techniques used to bring these to life and was actively looking forward to each part of the build where I needed to put one together.

We begin at the entrance which features two brick pillars which are covered in foliage and leaves, with a face carved into the side. On the cross-beam, there are teal and sand green triangle tiles, which are a motif used across the build indicating points of interest, or Chachapoyan architecture.

Before we venture in, here’s a look at the snippet of dialogue from Satipo and Indiana Jones.

Along with the Raiders of the Lost Ark title, these are all stickers which are slightly disappointing considering they’re flanked by dials and decorative printed tils.

Stepping inside the temple, Indy and Satipo encounter massive Spiderwebs. You can re-enact the scene of Indy flicking spiders off Satipo’s back with his whip here.

As you enter the temple, Indy and Satipo discover a skeleton of Forrestal, one of Indiana Jones’ chief rivals, who went missing in his search for the Golden Fertility Idol.

We now know that he was a little careless and died on a spike trap in the temple.

After avoiding booby traps, Indy and Satipo come across a large chasm. There’s a brown stick that can easily be removed allowing them to swing across the gap.

Here’s another neat brick-built face – I really like the use of the base of a 2 x 1 log profile brick as the mouth which gives it a very expressive look!

Throughout the base of the Temple of the Golden Idol diorama are these dials with a skull motif on them. When twisted, each dial activates a specific play feature that brings the diorama to life, in unexpected and delightful ways.

Here’s Satipo swinging across the chasm!

Here’s a look at how this play feature works, which allows you to simulate the minifigure swinging across to the other side.

A nice nod to one of the more notable background details is this golden wheel on the wall.

Next, we step into the chamber of the Golden Fertility Idol, the prize that Indiana Jones is seeking for!

The chamber is encircled by walls filled with a mix of brick-built carved faces, again demonstrating really clever and creative use of elements for features like eyes, noses and mouths.

The tan stickers are also equally impressive, with each having their own unique forms and expressions. There are also 2 awesome Easter Eggs here, with a minifigure head with a tongue sticking out, as well as a King Kahuka mask, a nod to the beloved Islanders theme!

Above the Golden Fertility Idol is an impressively large face, which again, makes fantastic use of parts to craft an expressive face – this one stands out from the others due to its sheer size, and use of colour.

As you approach the Idol, Indy needs to be wary of these dirt-coloured tiles as stepping on these activates booby traps as he approaches the Idol.

Here’s a closer look at the Chachapoyan Golden Fertility Idol, which lies on a pedestal in the middle of the chamber. The mould is almost identical to the original Golden Idol found in 7623 Temple Escape, and it’s fantastic to see it in its shiny glory.

A really atmospheric feature built in is the presence of a light brick, which can be activated by twisting the chamber dial to the right.

It bathes the Golden Idol in an amber light, making it look even cooler and sparklier.

Thankfully, Indy has a sack that he filled with sand right before entering the temple, to swiftly replace it on the pedestal without triggering any booby traps..

Unfortunately, once Indy grabs the Idol, despite the sack, it still triggers the booby traps and self destruction of the temple.

Twisting the dial to the left lowers the Idol slightly, and triggers a destruction sequence, evident by the large carved face crashing forward.

It’s now time to escape from the Temple of the Golden Idol!

Running backwards towards the entrance, Satipo crosses the chasm but the vine breaks (sorry I left it in the shot above), so Satipo urges Indy to throw the Golden Idol in exchange for his whip.

Indy does so unwillingly, but with the Golden Fertility Idol in his possession, Satipo now betrays Indy and leaves him for dead without his whip.

Twisting the dial after the chasm activates a trap that shuts and cuts the path off.

Unfortunately, Satipo meets his demise here, and Indy can then retrieve the Idol from him.

As he nears the exit, the most iconic booby trap is triggered, the rolling boulder! Unlike the large plastic sphere used in the original set, this sphere is entirely brick-built and looks great.

The boulder is attached to a dizzying array of Technic elements, which includes some gears, and even a Technic gear rack.

Twisting the dial releases the boulder, and using only the forces of gravity, the boulder begins to rapidly spin as it hurtles towards an escaping Indy!

It’s one of the most impressive play features I’ve ever seen in a LEGO set, with the spinning boulder effect working like magic to re-create one of the most iconic and influential action sequences in cinema history.

Twisting the dial, you can then “roll” the boulder backwards to reset its position.

You have to see it in action to really appreciate just how insanely cool and functional this play feature is. I also have to admit, it’s a LOT of fun to spin the boulder over and over again.

Unfortunately, all of Indy’s heroics are for naught as Belloq and the Hovitos lay waiting for him at the entrance of the temple, ready to steal the Golden Fertility Idol from Indy.

Here’s a look at the diorama on display, and as you can see, this set is a very faithful homage to the original Temple Escape set, but modernised with ingenious play features to make this an incredibly fun set to play with thanks to all its functions.

It also doubles as a fantastic display piece that’s aesthetically pleasing thanks to the diorama format, and you can technically also break it into 3 parts for each chamber if you want to display each section on its own.

What I liked:

• An adult LEGO Indiana Jones set is a dream come true
• Incredibly clever booby traps and mechanical play features
• Captures all the iconic scenes and features from Raiders of the Lost Ark intro
• Decent and complete lineup of characters from Raiders
• Makes for a great display piece that you’re encouraged to play with

What I didn’t like: 

• Minifigures could use more arm and leg prints
• Stickered quote tiles make for a dangerous precedent
• Feels a little expensive

Final Thoughts:

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol is a triumph of LEGO design, and a huge leap forward for adult-focused sets that make play features an integral part of the set experience.

For fans of LEGO Indiana Jones, this is an excellent demonstration of what’s possible when given the adults/LEGO Icons treatment, bringing to life one of the most iconic scenes and character introductions in history.

What’s truly remarkable about this set is how it integrates both being an attractive display piece with play functions that augment the entire experience. As a diorama, all the key scenes from the opening scene of Raiders are captured, allowing you to place the minifigures in different spots to re-enact your favourite moments from the Temple of the Golden Idol.

The build was engaging, and I particularly enjoyed building all the different faces. There’s quite a bit of Technic that enable the play features, so if you’re unfamiliar with Technic, some parts might seem tricky but not insurmountable.

The play features are genius, and are tied in with the most memorable action sequences from the Raiders of the Lost Ark introduction, and I was blown away by the design and execution of the rolling boulder scene.

It’s a set that makes these play features indispensable features of a set, and raises the bar of what is possible with a Diorama-style set.

There are some drawbacks, from stickered quotes and plain minifigure arms and legs, which is a shame as I really would’ve liked detailed and definitive versions of each minifigure. The full price is also on the higher side, so if this is on your radar, and you’re on a budget, it may be worth waiting on a good sale, decent GWP, or Double VIP points to make the most of this purchase.

But if you’re a big LEGO Indiana Jones fan, this set opens up so many possibilities for more adult-targeted sets where little to no compromises are made.

Build [4] – A really fun and varied build with plenty of great LEGO and Technic builds. Building each unique face was a genuine delight
Real Value [2] – For a premium-priced set, I really would’ve liked printed quite tiles, and more arm/leg printing
Innovation [5] – Some of the best LEGO play features in a set that work seamlessly and magically
Coolness [4] – Pays homage to a classic set and scene, and adds a layer of LEGO Icons sophistication and polish
Keepability [4] – A great set to have on display that you’re invited to play with and not just leave as a dust magnet

Rating and score: 4/5 ★★★★✰

Thanks for reading this review of 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol ! Be sure to also check out my review of 77013 Temple of the Lost Tomb for another classic Raiders of the Lost Ark scene brought to life!

What do you think of 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol and how it compares with the previous version? Would you like to see more adult-focused LEGO Indy sets?

77015 Temple of the Golden Idol and the rest of the LEGO Indiana Jones wave will be available from 1 April 2023 from LEGO.com, your local LEGO store or most toy stores.

If you plan on purchasing 77015 Temple of the Golden Idol please consider using the affiliate links found in the post to support the blog, as I may receive a small commission with each purchase.

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