Review: LEGO Ideas #007 Exosuit

[Masked Builder]

Firstly, a HUGE thank you to LEGO for sending me this wonderful set, and to Eurobricks for letting me do this review. When I first heard this was going to be a set, designed by Mark Stafford no less, I was super excited to see what he would do for us. When the wonderful promo video was posted last week, it looked better than I had hoped.

Set Information:

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Name: Exosuit

Set Number: 21109

Pieces: 321

Price: $34.99

Ages: 12+

Minifigs: 2

Theme: LEGO Ideas

Year of Release: 2014

Brickset

Flickr Set

Box:

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The front of the box has a moon background, along with what appears to be a space base. (Though possibly the space ship where the Exosuit was discovered) It also features the Exosuit logo, and the LEGO Ideas logo. Let me say now that I was surprised at how small the box was. There is very little extra room in this box.

The back shows an alternate image for the set as well as the names for the astronauts; Pete and Yve. Along the left hand side, there's a small blurb about how the LEGO Ideas program works.

And the 1:1 image is of Pete our first Classic Green Spaceman!

Contents:

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There were four bags in the box, along with two loose pieces. I'm naming this printed tile the "Mark Stafford." I just love the print so much. Can you believe this is my first one??? The new plant bowls are pretty neat too.

And here are our extra parts. The number of extra parts surprised me actually.

Manual:

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The front of the manual has the same image as the box. It also shows the sheer number of languages that this manual is printed with. Seriously, it's a lot. And note that this manual is bound nicely like the Architecture theme.

The first page goes into detail about the making of the set, this page also shows some classic space sets.

The second page has more details about the making of the set as well as Mark and Pete.

The next four tell the back story that, I assume, Pete created for the model, accompanied by some lovely pictures.

The manual is printed in black and I had no problems with coloring.

Every few pages, there is a small picture and some text describing all of the parts that are on the Exosuit.

One of the last pages goes much more into detail about the LEGO Ideas process.

We have a new WIN! image! I think this minifigure looks much more like an AFOL.

Minifigures:

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Here we have Pete and Yve! They're your typical neo-classic space men. There's really not a whole lot to Class Spacemen.

No back print, or double sided heads.

The Build:

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After the minifigures you build the turtle. It's great to see one of Pete's more popular MOCs in a LEGO set.

Then the little stand thingy.

And lastly you get to the suit! First you build the body

Then the legs.

And lastly the arms.

Then your Exo Suit is complete!

Finished Model:

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And the completed set! I was expecting just the suit, but I won't say no to one of Pete's turtle bots as well as an extra astronaut.

The turtle just looks great. Mark threw just enough silver parts in to make it look mechanical. The only problem I have is the guns aren't big enough.

I'm not sure what to call this other than a play feature; because that's all it adds to the set. For how simple it is, I think it looks pretty damn good.

Front view. Wow, it just looks SO good! The greebling is perfect, the color blocking is good, and Mark did a great job hiding the various Technic/Bionicle parts the make up the joints.

Side view. I think this is the worst possible view for this set. You can see all of the connecting bits.

And the back. It's obviously not supposed to be viewed from behind, but I think it doesn't actually look too bad.

Were you starting to wonder where this was? It's just such a sweet piece and I actually didn't have any before now.

Most of the greebeling is here; so here's a close up of the wonderful work Mark did with this.

It is very flexible, allowing for wonderful poses like this one. I'm going to have a lot of fun with this guy.

Took a little balancing, but I did manage to pose this way too.

The hands work quite well, he has no problem holding the barrels.

This is the closest thing I have to a LEGO mecha built right now. Wow that Ent is big.

Conclusion:

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Have I mentioned how much I love this set? I can't imagine what else I would add to this to make it better. It's just that good. The greebling is excellent, the pose-ability is great, and it just looks awesome. I think this would make a great discussion pieces on ones desk at work. Great job Mark, Pete, and the LEGO team! I already planning on getting a second.

Ratings:

Playability: 8/10

For what it is, it's pretty sturdy and I can see a child playing with this.

Design: 7/10

I took a few points off here because it isn't exactly like Pete's original model, but it's still great.

Price: 10/10

$35 seems perfect for this set.

Minifigures: 9/10

I am just in love with the Green Classic Spacemen.

Parts: 8/10

This set not only gives you a great main model, but it's an excellent parts pack too.

Total: 42/50

"When is it my turn?!"

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[harakiri]

hope the supply is not too limited.

I really need that set!

Thanks for the great review!

[Ceroknight]

Thank you for the review!

I must admit, I was a bit hesitant about the design at first, but out of the box, it looks great!

Can't wait to get this

[Macsen Wledig]

Thanks for the review. Not usually into the space sets, but this just looks wonderful.

Don't suppose when you know when the release date is going to be?

[8BrickMario]

It should be released on August 1st. I noticed in the Parts and Instructions sections, the same line of text was repeated for each picture.

[Wardancer]

Although I am not into space, I applaud those who made this.

In wish there was a treeman in this size with this level of detail.

[bacem]

great review of a great set! this is definitely a must have, especially for a mech and space fans.

[jonwil]

WOW, just WOW.

I WILL be buying this. If nothing else, buying this will (hopefully) send the message to TLG that we as LEGO fans want more of the same please :)

Not to mention all the awesome parts (the green spacemen alone make it worth it)

[SeptemLego]

Nice Review!

Hmm, I dont feel very exited about this set. I really like the green Minifigs, but overall I´m not appealed and I think its to overpriced.

Overall it reminds me too much of Bionicle which I don´t like.

I maybee get the Minifigs over eBay ;).

Edited July 9, 2014 by SeptemLego

[DPrime]

Great review, thanks so much!

Can't wait to get 2+ of these. :)

[Sir Brickalot]

Great review of a fantabulous set!

[Sarah]

I want the girl green spaceman and the turtle. Will have to decide whether to get the set and piece it out or try to pick up just those pieces somewhere.

[Venkefedo]

Great review, thanks so much!

Can't wait to get 2+ of these. :)

That's my plan, too! With some head-swaps for the spare Pete & Yve, of course, to expand the Salvage Team ranks.

Really nice review! I'm a little disappointed with the storyline in the book compared to the video one; I like the more immediate conflict the video implies between pirates & missing crew of a derelict ship, while the "decades-old crash-site with mysterious occupants" doesn't appeal to me quite as much. Are the others in the ship the aged remnants of the crew, or their offspring? New alien inhabitants? A pirate gang who've claimed the wreck as their new hideout? There's lots of possibilities, of course--I just like the more 'recent' feel of the video's situation.

…still need to get Metalbeard's Duel, so I can have Metalbeard duel with someone closer to his own size

[Infernum]

Wow! That set's a beauty! It's so posable! I'm surprised that it comes with an extra air tank. This might have to be my first Ideas set!

[CP5670]

I'll probably get this just for the green CS guys. The final suit is also better designed than the original Ideas submission, which was flimsy and over-detailed IMO.

[WhiteFang]

Due to the earlier technical error, this review had to go abit of hibernation. I am glad and pleased to announce that the review is back!

Good job, Masked Builder! This Exo Suit is definitely one of the most excellent mecha design with firm and tight structure based on the entire built process.

[clonebricksNL]

this set will look good next to my classic space sets

[Kristel]

Thanks for the awesome review. I'm looking forward to getting this set.

[Yooha]

I'm happy that the timeline got back to normal.

Great review! I love that turtle. I'm dreaming of a polybag with it.

[Thorg23]

Nice review. I'm definitely going to be F5'ing Shop@Home at midnight on August 1st to make sure I get one of these.

[samurai-turtle]

The printed title does come in the 70003 Eris' Eagle Interceptor.

[Lord Tyrus]

This is brilliant! It's the only Cuusoo/Ideas project I plan to buy! I also love the green spacemen!

Nice review by the way.

[Hive]

Good build and nice minifigures, but the build itself could have used a bit more colour. All that grey and nothing but it is a bit drab compared to classic space.

[Lady K]

Great review! I'm really looking forward to getting this!

[WhiteFang]

The printed title does come in the 70003 Eris' Eagle Interceptor.

Yes, indeed it is!

Now, Masked Builder, you know where that part come from.