Have LEGO dropped the ball on this year's D2C sets?

I refrained from adding my view on the latest LEGO exclusive in yesterday's press release, but personally I think this year the exclusive D2C sets have been found lacking and very overpriced. The Ghostbusters HQ was really good though we're probably holding it in higher regard due to everything else released.

I found this year's modular (the Brick Bank) lacking compared to earlier sets, with LEGO forgetting that these sets were/are aimed at adults who don't care as much for play features. The actual building and overall design of the set suffered because of it IMO. The Batcave was/is a massive disappointment. The minifigures and Batmobile are ace, however the rest of the set I found lacking and again very overpriced for what you get. I don't think it even looks great on display.

The less said about the Star Wars Hoth set the better. Personally I think the worse D2C set ever, though you can probably expect most reviews later this month to rip it to shreds. If you like this set then either you don't own any of the previously released Hoth-related sets, or you need your eyes checking!

Lastly, the Minecraft set which LEGO say is aimed at children but what sort of parent is going to drop £170 on one set? (Or if they can afford to do so, would in their right mind do so?) LEGO seem to have seriously lost sight of who D2C sets are aimed at. I'll go out on a limb and say on the whole AFOLS have little (to no) interest in Minecraft, and while they are popular sets for the target demographic, where are parents going to find £170 to drop on a large set like this in the middle of the year with summer holidays, expensive school trips etc coming up? I would love to have sat in on the meetings when they discussed this!

This year I've found LEGO have really lost sight of what sets worked well over the past few years and are churning out below par exclusive sets at silly prices. LEGO are obviously cashing in on their popularity and I know they're a business with an aim of making money, but for the past few years they've at least offered us sets worth buying. And yes, I know we don't have to buy them, (that's exactly what I've done and I know I'm not alone), but I feel LEGO are on a slippery slope and have to be careful that they don't oversaturate the market with below par sets. This year I've yet to spend a penny on LEGO and can honestly say I don't see that changing anytime soon. As an AFOL, it's easy to be blinded by the love/passion for our hobby, though so many are happy to waste their money (although I suppose it's down to personal opinion at the end of the day!). However, I'm a working class adult and parent who isn't flushed with money, so I have to really consider everything before dropping hard earned pennies on a luxury item. Personally, I'd rather take the family on a two week holiday than spend £100+ on a set that isn't worth it and will only collect dust!

I'd be interested to hear if other AFOLs/adults also feel the same regarding the recent D2C sets. I'm probably being a bit too negative, but, before you reply, take a look at previous years where every D2C could easily have won set of the year. So far, this year has given us 3 which could actually be worst set of the year. Not a great start LEGO...