Not fun enough for the minifigs! LEGO City Ocean Exploration Base review! 60265 

5:45 LEGO has made "jellyfish" in the past from other parts. I want to see some purpose-designed modern ones like they've been doing so many other animals... and to include them in modern underwater themed sets where they'd be perfect. Dual-molded and/or marbled trans-_____ with trans-clear & everything.

Anything closer to an Atlantis reboot makes me happy

Once looked closely at it, it is a suprisingly disappointing set. Especially in comparison to the space station.

I think this would be more successful if it had a back wall. Without it the set isn't very displayable from the back

Why does it seem like LEGO keeps innovating with these new designs and styles of peices, but then squander opportunities to use them? Its the same story regarding play space...

I personally don't like this set. It really doesn't feel like LEGO, instead more of a doll house. I also think this is just a way to get new pieces like the stingray or the helmet.

This line of sets reminds me of subnautica especially the coral it looks like blood kelp

The poblem is that Lego seems to have put a lot focus on the "technical" aspects of the set, it's a quality build and looks good on display. But where it's lacking is its core play aspect. It's not thought out or set up for kids (or adults) to interact and play with fully. I mean you'd want to be able to walk the figs around the set, play out different scenarios, etc...But it's not possible in this case because each segment is done as an independant module, the "connecting" aspect fails because it's merely replacing modules for the sake of switching up the "look", it doesn't however aid or add anything for the sake play. Another thing is the intricacy, building quality, and inclusion of details in the set are supposed to work FOR play, it needs to have a basis in a possible story for kids to go off of on, and mot merely just for looks. Like something simple as adding a skeleton or a hidden trap or object to be revealed in the cave would add to the play aspect whereby you could make up your own scenarios for the divers, but an empty space gives you nothing to go off of.

The Central Hub would have been better if they had put a hole in the floor to simulate the entrance/exit for divers or maybe an opening hatch

It kinda looks and builds like juniors set

For me this whole sub theme is worse than the 2015 one

Yeah this is a down grade from the space station from last year

This new Ocean Exploration theme is a letdown for me. It had so much potential. Lego used to make a set for everyone. Now they make city for younger kids, because the 18+ line caters for adults. They don't add that extra level of LEGONESS, that these newer sets need.

Lego needs to reconsider using those enormous specialized pieces so much. I feel like we're rapidly reverting back to the dark days of lego where almost all they made were vehicles consisting entirely of just 5 or 7 massive parts.

This and the big ocean ship are insanely cheap in Australia, this was $89 and the big ship was $139!

Jang I just wanna say I love your videos and I’ve been watching since you started reviewing hero factory and I just wanna say thank you for being you and shaping my childhood

"Slightly happy clone"... Jang, I noticed that you finaly admitted that you have indeed been cloning yourself. I for one am *very* proud of you for coming clean! I wish you the best in your future cloning endeavours! 😊

The set gives me major Subnautica base-building flashbacks. That's a good thing.

Here’s my issues. They use these huge un-lego like pieces and that makes the price go up. But if they used actual pieces and bricks and built up those same structures it would also make the price go up. So if they insist on raising the price year after year after year the least they can do is give us actual useful parts, not huge specialized pieces that aren’t even playable to begin with. Literally no holes to access into the main hub or into the submarine. To me the set looks incredible and reminds me a lot of Atlantis or Aquanauts but just fails to capture the same play value.

Love the "!?" and "!" after the US and UK prices.

Looks like the atlantis sets

Those new stingrays make me smile, they are my favorite animals!

The fact that it’s 80 quid in the US and £55 here in the uk is hilarious 😂

This set is not that expensive compared to something such as Grevious’s star-fighter.

Build idea: have the space station set crash into the ocean and connect it to this one

The US price makes me sad. Lego saving me lots of money with the high prices.

I would prefer a Lego city sub marine than a pretty bad base

So this set was only SUBpar?

I am adding a Underwater scene to my city... But won’t be building this set! Too expensive

those divers be heading down to the depths of the ocean to get those infinity stones XD great review, as always jang.

It would have been nice to have a baseplate with this one. Miss that about Lego.

I guess you´re right. All these Modules are much to small to play. And the fact that these modules are all just one peace gives you no chance to make them bigger. At least the hub should be big, like double or tripple of it´s size and there schould be the central, the T.O.C. as it were.

I really like this new wave of sea exploration but I really want a dinosaurs series of this where you get to find prehistoric sharks and underwater monsters

It kinda feels more like a glorified parts pack that you need to buy at least twice in order to build something usable.

LEGO has come a long way in designing modular buildings, but they still haven't caught on to the idea that people are more likely to buy a set like this in 3-4 pieces with each having higher play value than a combined set with minimal play value. Take for example the crew quarters. Use the parts from the other three modules to create one large module with four bunks (maybe using slabs and hinges to retract the lower bunks against the wall and reveal storage underneath). The module comes with its support struts, some personal effects, a bit of seabed, and 1-2 figures. Sell it for around $30. Do the same sort of size increase for the lab and command centre. For the hub, increase its size to make it octagonal and include "airlock" walls where you can attach up to eight modules and have a wet bay for the mini sub and skip the crane. Give the hub one diver and 1-2 sea creatures and market it for about $50. Fans of this series can purchase multiple modules and link them to create larger rooms or even add additional hubs to create a sprawling base. Best of all, the ability to sequence the modules means a financially strapped family can buy modules and link them without the hub to provide their children with the best possible play value for their budget. Seriously, LEGO, you're dropping the ball on some very easy profits by sacrificing quality and quantity when you could get both for roughly the same price! I would rather buy three modules for $90 total than this one barely playable set for $80.

Blech. This is one of those sets that feels like I'd need to get 3-4 of them to put together something decent. 🤷‍♂️

I literally guessed that only one minifig would be able to fit into the crew quarters. Lego never fails to be lazy.

Good morning Jang, thanks for this wonderful review.

This remades me of Subnautica game :DDdd.

with the stud placement on the stingray and those bars on the rear, do you think we will get a plain non printed or alternate printed version of that piece as part of a hoverboard or something in a more sci-fi set?

Visually it looks good, but it seems like all of the interior spaces are too small. You can't play inside this thing. You can barely place minifigures inside, let alone play in it. Like a troop transport that doesn't carry troops, a base you cannot play inside of, doesn't make any sense

Nice set but I still rank the Atlantis series as one of the top underwater themes.

It's like they designed this in 2007, the designs looks so sad compared to 2015. Even the mini figures are somewhat disappointing, it could be the color combination but still sad design

T-60 power armour helmets 😁

I call this: the sea downgrade base. The space station was way better.

I never realized that Legos had such a big adult following. Its such a cool and interesting hobby to have. Sadly legos are kinda expensive so I’m gonna stick to bowling.

Hey Jang,I bought 4 of these sets and customised one of the base plates so that there is now a hatch in the bottom with several modules attached, allowing for an office, crew quarters, lab, WC and shower, sickbay, storage and a docking bay for a mini sub. I’ve also ordered set 60096 and intend to create a sub pen for my 60092 sub. still work in progress. I love your video reviews of Lego sets as an AFOL in the UK.

I planing get this set (+lego Ninjago legacy Destiny Bounty) for myself on christmas :-D

They could bring back the jellyfish from the spongebob theme.

Well, grass will always be greener in the past, but I have a feeling that Aquazone back in the 90s was way better.

Watching LEGO make all these new parts makes me worry that they will repeat their history.

Cool,yet sad for my minfigures,if I would to put them inside the ocean exploration base.

Definitely felt disappointing. Same with the Submarine set, very plain and blah. Almost lazy design.

Neat set, but definitely too expensive. I’m used to the non licensed sets being adequately priced. I wonder if this is Covid related, or knock offs cutting into profits related.

This is one of the most boring sets LEGO has ever produced.

10:47 Jang you never told us you were a Lego city diver!😄

I remember when we could get a decent LEGO set for $15

What's the point of LEGO making these large pieces in sets that end up throwing the Price-per-part ratio way off just to "use less parts" and "save cost"? It makes no sense! I'm sure this would have been the same price or less if they brick built those hulls instead of use big pieces! I don't get it.

Lego are getting worse and worse

I think you're spot on with your review. There's nothing to play with in the interiors. They need to be bigger with things like a lab, a kitchen and bigger sleeping quarters. That middle section is a complete waste of what could have been a recreational area. I wanted this when I first saw pictures of it but now it's a definite pass. Too bad.

it looks cool but too expensive

This is actually one of my favourites from this wave, it just looks cool and just works, also, if you get multiple of these you can make a your base bigger and bigger.

Aqua raiders had a better base than this, and that was 13 years ago!

Reminds me of the old Lego Town Divers sets

Was t this in space a year ago how did it get to the bottom of the ocean?

This reminds me of subnautica

In my personal opinion I think megablocks is superior than Lego but hey that’s just my opinion and I’m saying this on the Internet a social platform made to bring people together

In *depth* review hehe

I agree jang not enough fun for mini figures

Guess Lego is lazy to put more details and interiors plus that dissapoints me a lot

the way the base is built reminds me of subnautica, kinda wish there were more to the set.

I love it when jang goes off

Kinda looks like Atlantis but isn't

I have the Moon Station from last Years City Space Line and also thought i`d like it, but when i startes building it it bored me a lot and its is now halfbuild in the box. I think the main problem is the modular station with both sets. It looks good from outside, but has not so much possiblities to do something inside and not so much access for it. I once had the Big Station from the AquaRaiders and i liked it so much, cause u have the whole backside left open, which gives u great access. Your opinion?

its really interesting to me that they released a bike mold without the wheels in an official set.

i actually like this set😀

SpongeBob had some jellyfish figures, but I guess they were a little simple and arguably not true figures.

Glad to see that the comment section is back! Has anyone considered price-to-mass ratio? Seems more convenient and precise than price-to-volume.

I think the set has some nice ideas but it feels rushed or unfinished but for 55£ It's Ok. The 90s under water theme is the best in My oppion.

I am really disappointed this whole sub theme is super over priced. I think this theme is great 👍🏻

This is an attractive set that can overcome its play value deficiencies with some creative customization.

You know... everyone digs on BURPs (big ugly rock peices) but i think (especially the newest one) are just fine in quick and dirty builds and play-sets.players. They are just very... lego looking. Other than the fact they are large single peices.

There's no reason to buy this over the 60264 Ocean Exploration Submarine. It comes with a MUCH better submarine, a small drone sub (not as nice as the one in this, admittedly). 4 minifigs vs. 5 (no big deal considering the price), AND a truly exclusive sea creature. Heck, it even comes with 2 crabs vs. this one's 1, and just as many of those nice coral pieces! The only thing this set has going for it vs. that one are the red-suited divers. That's genuinely it, unless you really, really, really want to have a underwater base type set.

Man... Seeing this review makes me glad I watched it, because this set.. This is just beyond disappointing when compared to past offerings, my childhood example being Aqua Raiders. I was lucky enough to get EVERY. SINGLE. SET. From Aqua Raiders, and that theme was by far one of my favorites. The opportunities for fun with those sets were limitless, and I stand by that given I only had those sets to play with as we moved from hotel to hotel during a cross-state move. Unfortunately, I was perhaps spoiled, but I would like to think that LEGO's underwater themes are just becoming more... Lackluster. I'm not even talking about the giant crab, lobster, or squid from Aqua Raiders' sets adding action, I mean lackluster in the sense that there's just so little to offer for playability compared to any one set from my childhood aquatic theme. Even just remove the giant sea creatures, just the vehicles, and scenery, any set from that theme is a timeless classic. I might just be rambling in nostalgia here, but underwater themes hold a special place in my heart after my experience with the previously mentioned line, and this just.. It misses the mark so hard... If I had been given this as a kid, I would have gotten bored with in VERY quickly, meanwhile Aqua Raiders, just one of the smaller sets, entertained me plenty by itself. I can't do anything but shake my head in disappointment when I see this. The Ocean Exploration Submarine set is much better than this for half the price, even if I'm not as into the more realistic theme of it, it's still much better than this. I don't get how LEGO can be so hit or miss with this when there's plenty of their own examples of success to use as a basis.

I do agree. This set is overrated. Lacking so many nice details and charme. Just compare it to the 31118 Beach house. I bought it for 36€ and love all the details and colors and the possib. to unfold it.

The play value of this set is almost non-existent, how can the minifigs cross through the sections? It doesn't work! And the sections are too small for the number of minifigs included. This set needs a major mod to make it more playable, it really does look good, but improvements would be seriously needed, and with those improvements, 80$ would be acceptable, but as is, no way! 65$ at most, I agree with you Jang.

I must say, i do acnowledge that this is not the best of "submarie" Lego set. You have said pretty much all, what is not great about this. On the other hand, i did not saw long time submarine base with the build terrain. The play value is in my opinion in the minifigures (so many of them, compared to the 3 or 4 ususaly), the animals (2 is more than usualy too) and the fact that you can combined it with the 60266 and "build" the submarine station. The hull pieces fit through the hole in the hull of the ship (without motors). I may be bias, becouse it reminds me Lego series from 90' that i could not afford to buy by myself. (Or better say, my parents could not afford it.) The realistcaly looking submarine sets are my absolute favorites.

Compared to Grievous ship, you get more bang for your buck, but then again, 480 something pieces for $80 is still absurd

Why is that set so expensive in the US? Usually prices in Switzerland are quite steep, not this time and that goes for several more sets, i.e. the Ocean Exploration Ship. I like this set, but I don't use it for play, only for an underwater display. For kids you are right, not very playable.

I got this in the uk for £55- for that price, it’s a great deal. But I think $80 is wayyyyy to much. The sent is amazing tho and has a lot of play value ( especially if u have other sets in this sub- theme).

If the 60 € pricetag in Europe seems more reasonable than the U.S. price, but I agree that it could and should be improved in many ways.

Love it

5:43 Lego did make jellyfish in the Spongebob sets (using a chef's hat in transparent pink and blue) also not to mention the builds for the Jellyfish in some of the Bionicle play sets in 2007( though I'm not sure if they are jellyfish or are a creature that resembles them). Edit: I forgot that they also used the chef's hate in clear to also represent a jellyfish.

Think I prefer the sub in 41378, which had a similar final look but didn't rely on a single large hull piece.

Tbh the Lego set 6441 "Deep Reef Refuge" was far more detailed, versatile and fun than this new shit they got going. Even the very old Blue Water Base stuff was better.

I bought this for the equivalent of $68 USD at Kmart. So I reckon I got good value for money based on your estimates.

Not a big fan of this universal docking ring system in its current form. It's a good idea but it's pretty clunky as is. Needs a bigger, more doorway like gap for mini figures. And it shouldn't have been used to frame windows either. That's a strange choice.

With lots of parts from the old ones from 2015 it would be fun to customise this set in particular the sea floor with lots more coral and plants

I feel like they should have used the trapdoor piece to create a moonpool access point in the open section. Being able to open the back of the modules (hinged up, perhaps) would have been far more fun/accessible for play. Bulkhead doors would have made for fun play options too, especially docking the submarine. Seems like a lot of missed opportunities :S Really curious what the fan on top is supposed to represent too.

The modular sections are ok for certain uses, but I wish that the living quarters and other room had been brick built instead to allow for more room inside. It wouldn’t be hard to MOC, just a bit of a pain to have to do. The central hub design is good to back up maybe two of them pretty easily for one larger room. I have to wait for a discount, but I’ll get this.