The first thing you said-totally agree. Sometimes i miss the old sets. Sure they looked crude but they were packed with functions and mechanism you could see working. Nowadays its mostly licensed vehicles that look pretty and you cant see anything move inside. I am too glad they still sometime bring it back like with this set.
The Technic Space theme is excellent, really brings back the old function over form vibes of Technic(though the sets still look great imo) which is a great break from all the generic supercars they've been doing lately.
The loading aspect, the main function this is supposed to do, is definitely disappointing and really does feel like an afterthought, but I appreciate it though, if only to give the set even more functions to do stuff. Since Technic sets have been somewhat lacking in mechanical functions of late; just a shame it's a bit....underbaked. That's the only real drawback, cos this is very interesting looking, priced well, good size and the other function of raising/lowering its height which also extends or shortens the wheelbase is actually really cool. I'll probably try and modify the loading function a bit and come up with something else with the parts. It should pair well with the Technic VTOL set which is what I assume that handle at the centre of this set's body is for, so the VTOL carries this Surface Space Loader by air, which is then deployed to the ground.
I like figures with my vehicles. Maybe that's just me. But I'm glad that this set, and hopefully the others in this series as well, look like they are mini fig scale. it's not perfect, but it's close enough for me.
I got the vtol a few days ago, and as someone who hasn’t built a full on technic set since I was a kid… I was _very_ happy with it. I severely underestimated how large it was going to be, and holding it by the handle just feels good. It almost makes me want to pick up this or the other space technic set to have the whole play pattern of picking up crates and setting them down, but… after seeing how little this actually does, I’m probably not going to, and instead moc up my own containers and transport platforms for the vtol to grab
I think one of the most interesting things about the set (and it's only implied via relation to the other space sets) that since the ameboid and green flower are the only 'specimens' available it possibly implied (or can at least be inferred) that the green flower is related to the green aliens from the other space sets like it could be an earlier stage or baby form of the aliens I think the April friends rover further confirms this theory with the blue fat aliens that are from flowers the aliens might be plant based life forms!
The grey, sterile, spacey looking wheels are the biggest draw for me. Love their look. Has some Moon (the movie) vibes. sterile, white, grey, moon like.
Regarding the seat of the vehicle, there's a small rib on the front that can fit snugly between a minifigure's legs. You can secure them in place with that. Same goes for the recent $50 technic supercars, since they use the same piece for the seats.
I wish Lego would have made Technic space sets that are designed to be used together with the system sets including the option to use mini figures. My son never plays with the Technic sets - story telling without figures is meh.
Those light grey tyres have me drooling over this set! I had no idea Space also invaded Technic. Wow! I actually didn't know it was coming for Friends either, but after seeing your recent video about the Friends rover, I had to pre-order it - I am simply stunned about how good it is! It will be my first 2024 Space set that uses those docking rings [I bought all the cheaper sets in the line which happen to not feature it, but honestly I like those better, though the space station has a super cool hover bike thing that I wish was sold separately]. This technic set looks great and I'm curious to see what other Technic space sets came out this year. I think this is going into my Amazon or Lego cart via your links. :) Thanks for the excellent review, as always!
BTW, it's a bit ironic that both of this year's Lego space sets that have "loader" in the title really can't load! The system bricks loader had the same issue as this one - the crane doesn't go down far enough to pick up actual cargo!
This is such an odd set- in a weirdly fun way. Combining the stand-up transforming from one of the old Alpha Team Ice sets with the silly side-crane from the power miners drill rig- pretty neat visual execution, atleast.
In my opinion its a very nice set on that price! A minifig can hold the steering wheel and can be fixed inside the cockpit. It pairs well with my otorrinos city space sets, even it can transport a mech on its back! I’ll try to motorize mine.
I love that the stickers and overall color scheme fit into the minifig space theme. It's an awesome design and the transformation feature is cool, but I was kinda expecting the cargo to fit underneath the cabin. Shame about the crane in the back, that's kinda a bummer for a "loader." 😢
So I've never cared about technic cars and construction vehicles, nor do I really care about space. However I love the technic system due to Bionicle, and as a kid Mars Mission vibed. I kind of feel like this is a better Bionicle alternative than the recent mechs/buildable Spidermen. Now all I lack is money...
Weird that the loading mechanism wasn't from the back instead of the side. Then it wouldn't have needed to clear the height of the wheels. I can't help but think that the main lifting mechanism could have doubled as a way to move cargo too.
Oh how I wish LEGO would stop beating around the bush and just bring out a new classic-style space line. It's been over a decade now since Galaxy Squad, and these City Space sets are the first spacecraft we've gotten since then that aren't either based on real-world space craft or Star Wars ships (not counting the occasional one-off or other movie tie-in).
The technic space sets are awesome This set is cool, but it's probably the one that you can skip The other two sets are better (and unfortunately more expensive) It would be cool if there was an option to put pieces to hold a minifigure in place This set is a good cheap set
Ugh. They finally got me. I always buy sci-fi-ish space sets, but never technic. There's a marketer somewhere in the halls of Lego who finally asked, "How do we get this guy to buy technic?" Also, can that short loader arm be modified, Jang?
This set was so promising for its price but it's a bit of a disappointment eventually. Like the orrery, we'll play once or twice a years with them and stop using them. Since they are not meant to be beautiful on display it's a huge pass on these two. The VTOL is Big but kinda nice
8:25 conclusion: it's the Space Technic salad delivery vehicle. I was really excited, but boy, that poorly implemented crane function! If it just swiveled around, it woul be satisfying...
Thanks for reviewing this. Im grateful that you save me the disappointment of purchasing. The Technic space sets seem like a miss. As if the design team had a fee weeks to work on them prior to launch
Lego technic sets are technically impressive(See what I did there?! Hahaha ok I'm so sorry) But aesthetically I wish they were better. The tires on this thing are really cool though.
