Algernon

Won't happen. It would be cool, but LEGO would never cross that line. Again, this is why everybody's pretty convinced MF is a one-wave theme, since there aren't really enough monsters left for a whole extra year.

I actually like the alternative model better than the official one! Great review, this is a fun little set.

I've always thought this set looked especially terrible. Combine a poor concept with lackluster execution and some terrible light-up gimmicks, and you have one gigantic piece of crap LEGO set that I'm very happy to have skipped. Also, this may go down in history as one of the ugliest looking star ships ever sold for $59.99. Yeah, right, LEGO. I'd rather have a tank of gas.

That actually looks a bit better than I was expecting. Is anyone else reminded of Gradius?

You're too kind! Honestly, I only really know how to MOC with one color, since that's what I'm used to. Color schemes aren't my strong point - I just happen to have a lot of white parts. The capsule is actually an old X-pod canister I found lying around. I was determined to use it somehow - LEGO must have put studs on it for a reason. Maybe they use a vacuum like modern astronauts It's supposed to be a long-haul vessel, but it's smaller in size than most ships like that so I guess it's more like a space camper. I was definitely inspired by classic Space! I get tired of building fighters and military Space themes, I think the world needs more peaceful exploration starships, am I right?!

It feels good to finally get back into MOCing again! Now that summer's on, I have a lot more time and energy for building. This is only the second model I've designed in a couple of years, so keep that in mind! Presenting the N-4 "Knight" Deep Space Recon and Science Vessel! The N-4 "Knight" is an exploration star ship designed for long-term voyages into the uncharted sectors of space. Unlike most star craft its size, the N-4 is intended to function with complete independence from resource checkpoints and nearby star fleets, relying on plentiful on-board supplies and cutting-edge hyperdrive technology for sustained deep-space travel. Although it is a science vessel, the Knight is equipped with frontal dual-linked plasma cannons mounted on each wing. Rumor has it that the original design for the N-4 did not include these warship-class armaments, but were added by request of N-4 pilots due to the uncertain nature of their voyages. N-4 pilots are often come from a military background and are well trained in space combat. Some have theorized that the N-4 science voyages serve a double purpose, such as searching for enemy outposts. No official comment has been made on this matter. The midsection of the ship is manned by a highly trained technical analyst who is responsible for scanning planet surfaces, remotely testing atmospheric composition, monitoring ship functionality and other varying technical duties. His role is essential to the purpose of the N-4 and is a highly sought-after position with lucrative pay. The rear of the N-4 is occupied by the docking bay for the manned recon capsule, which the N-4 will jettison whenever a point of interest is located. One of the main functions of the N-4 is to deploy scouting teams onto alien worlds for exploration and sample collection. Obviously, this is very dangerous work, and the recon teams often consist of discharged soldiers and ex-convicts. For this reason, the scouting parties are isolated from the N-4's other crew members. The recon capsule is jettisoned from the rear docking bay... And the scouting party is deployed. From left to right: The pilot, technical analyst, and recon team. And there you have it! As always, comments and criticism are encouraged! Also please have a look at one of my other recent MOCs: Thanks for looking!

I don't think that's actually true. I feel like there have been quite a few female minifigs without lipstick. I could be wrong though. Either way... I can almost promise you that LEGO is not sexist, so maybe we should direct all of the forthcoming negative energy towards more deserving matters yes?

I agree. Even as a massive fan of Space Police 3, this set was one of the biggest disappointments in some time. It looks great at first glance, but there are a LOT of problems with it. As soon as you see it out of the box, you realize how poor it is.

Well, I don't have either of those sets, but from what I've gathered the Funhouse Escape set is considered one of the best sets from the DC wave. The Batmobile on the otherhand strikes me as a little underwhelming. If I were you, I'd pick the Funhouse.

I'm surprised you don't have the Bridge Walker! That was always my favorite Exo-Force set (that and the enormous orange tank). Very impressive display. I may post a picture of my own Space Police 3 display later on.

I doubt I'll ever completely lose interest in LEGO. The only thing that would prevent me from buying is A) life situation prevents me from it, B) prices get too unreasonable, and C) there just aren't any sets that interest me. Typically my interest in collecting LEGO comes and goes depending on how busy I am. I've gone an entire year without making a purchase before, all the while keeping up with the hobby on websites like this one. I sincerely doubt that LEGO would ever, as a company, lose my business completely. Their customer service is above average and they've always seemed like an intelligent lot. It would take something huge for that to happen - in my opinion, they're one of the few toy companies around that have never really abandoned their core values.

Like I said in your other review, this set is better than a lot of Exo-Force designs, but it still suffers from a very action-figure-like design and fair bit of lazy construction. I'm not all that sorry I skipped it. Your review is great, though, it's always fun to see bygone themes get revisited. I hope to see some more!

An alright set from an alright theme, imo. Exo-Force was one of those love-it-or-hate-it themes, that suffered from a lot of skeletal construction and okay-at-first-glance designs. I think this set is better than usual, but it still strikes me as incomplete-looking, as most of the Exo-Force sets did. Best set from theme was the Bridge Walker imo, one of the few sets I picked up and absolutely loved. Thanks for a great review.

It's hard to just pick a few, to say the least! But these are my definite-buys from 2012 thus far: 1. Sopwith Camel 2. Monster Fighters Vampire Castle 3. Haunted House 4. Helm's Deep 5. Desert Skiff There would probably be more if I thought about it... but those sets are more than enough in terms of cost.

Well... I'd be happy to take those yellow-skinned minifigures off your hands.

Interesting point, and it's actually more relevant than it might seem. Themes like Mars Mission and Space Police are both themes that are centered around a team of spacemen just doing there jobs which, as it happens, involve an alien menace of some kind. It was still about existing in Space, which is why we got HQ sets and such. The classic 90's sets had the same appeal. M-Tron, Exploriens, Ice Planet 2002 - they all had nothing better to do than survive in Space. It felt like true Space exploration. LEGO's really been moving away from that, and Alien Conquest is the worst offender yet. I guess in that sense, it's not really "true" Space.

Well, it seemed that way to me. I was pretty involved in the discussion here of both of those themes, and those were definitely common complaints. Particularly the Mars Mission aliens - I don't think I've ever seen a LEGO mold so universally despised since Galidor. I can't prove that LEGO's reason for changing those elements stemmed from that, but it does seem to follow. This really does seem like the most likely scenario to me.

I think if LEGO was ever extremely surprised by the popularity of a particular theme, they'd be more likely to echo certain elements of that theme in future designs than to rush out an impromptu second wave. It's hard to know exactly; they definitely seem to make design adjustments in relatively small periods of time. For example, Mars Mission's second wave saw some dramatic overhauls, such as dropping the unpopular orange tubes and redesigning the aliens. LEGO couldn't have had more than a couple of month's notice to make those changes, since the unpopularity of those elements didn't become apparent until a few months after the first wave's release. Another example is how Space Police 3's second wave introduced a closed helmet design, a common point of criticism of that theme's first wave. Now that particular element is the new standard Space helmet. It's hard to know how LEGO thinks, but I'm still betting that Monster Fighters is a one-hit-wonder kind of theme. My spidey sense tells me so, and it hasn't been wrong yet!

This just in: LEGO is expensive! I mean really, if the price matters so much to you, do what most AFOLs do and wait for a sale or buy it secondhand. I'll probably be getting it at full price, since it's one of those rare sets that seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck, but in the past I've saved tons of money just by working Ebay and Bricklink and waiting until the sets are being taken off the shelves. Black Friday is always good for deals, too. Customers are always so quick to assume there's a big corporate agenda intended to screw them out of their money. The reality is, a company is a company, and in order to remain profitable things have to strategically priced. If it's too much for you to afford, then don't freaking buy it.

It's definitely true that LEGO plans multi-year themes well in advance, so if Monster Fighters was ever going to see another wave, it's already in the books. Not much to be said or done about it at this point, short of speculation, and I'm agreeing with those who say the theme feels like a one-year.

Aren't these things usually defined in retrospect? I do agree, though, that LEGO seems to be doing exceptionally well in just about every department. Set designs are better than ever, they've nailed some AWESOME licenses recently, and great ideas like the CMF series or Monster Fighters and NinjaGo seems to be selling exceptionally well. There's no doubt that LEGO's future is bright. That said, my personal golden age has got to be the early 2000s, since I remember them the most fondly from my childhood. It really has nothing to do with set quality or LEGO's profitability; it's just how I remember LEGO. Good times!

I honestly don't think that you can make a list like this without having the Space Police II Galactic Mediator and the Ice Planet 2002 Deep Freeze Defender on it. They're some of the most highly-rated and recognized starships in LEGO Space history, and they've continued to influence Space designs since (the SP3 Galactic Enforcer, also fantastic, was clearly inspired by both of these vessels). Here's my list, without any particular order. Space Police II Galactic Mediator Ice Planet 2002 Deep Freeze Defender Space Police III Galactic Enforcer Spyrius Saucer Centurion Explorien Starship These are the "main" Space flagships to me, although there are a few others that deserve recognition as well. You could also make a good argument for the Mega Core Magnetizer, which is such a classic that it hardly matters that it's technically a ground vehicle. The Earth Defense HQ is outstanding as well.

I think there have certainly been far worse offenders: this is just terrible looking to me. And I definitely seen others that are just as bad, I just can't remember off the top of my head. Flick-fires pretty much never look right.

This set doesn't do much for me- the design just isn't all that exciting. The figs are nice, but that's about it. Thanks for the review, you saved me some money!

From now on, I shall call you PAM - Peppermint the Antagonistic Moderator! Seriously though, I must be the only one who can't tell the difference between the low-quality "Chinese" bricks and the standard ones. Even after seeing it pointed out that way, I still don't think I would notice. What's the fuss about?