Algernon

I'm curious as to how people will react to the Star Slicer now that some more flattering pictures of it are out. I'm planning on picking it up after Christmas, so if there isn't a review out by then, I'll be happy to do one. For my part I think it looks like a fun, if slightly flawed set.

I've also got a pretty bad case of LEGO OCD. I make sure stickers are perfectly aligned as they should be, I double-check my instructions, and I'm pretty picky about my displays as well.

I actually like the mech. I think the design is one of LEGO's better ones. Although I'm with you that the green android isn't the best one, I don't think he's all that freaky. My favorite android is probably the blue one, followed by orange, red, and finally green.

Without a doubt my most anticipated set of the line... also, I love that image of the mech stepping on the tail of the scorpion.

Interesting. Maybe there could be a "central command" squad that has a unique color scheme and runs the GS HQ. Probably more likely that we just won't see bases with this theme, unfortunately... time will tell!

I've been thinking about this. LEGO seems to have taken some suggestions from the project, what with the CMF marine (almost a complete rip-off) and now GS. Just because it might not turn into a theme this year, doesn't mean LEGO won't take the idea and run with it in the future. Remember that designing a LEGO theme often takes several years. I have no idea how LEGO would approach this, but it would be silly for them to dismiss it completely since there is a lot of synergy with their marketing model right now (collectability, appeal of Space Marines to kids, fun LEGO-like vibe, etc). There's a lot of potential with the idea.

My hope is that the lack of "Red Squad" sets means that a second wave is incoming. It's a little strange for LEGO to design unique minifigures and colors just to stick them on throwaway "space sleds" for a single set.

The problem here is that LEGO means something slightly different to everyone, especially us aficionados. Your age group, your specific LEGO interests, and your spending habits have a tremendous effect on what you might call LEGO's "golden years". For example, I'm a Space fan at heart, and Spacers usually define the "golden age" of LEGO Space as 1990-1996. That's when Space Police, Blacktron, Futuron, M-Tron, Spyrius, and Ice Planet 2002 hit store shelves. Nowadays, Space fans are more divided, because even with great themes like Alien Conquest or Space Police 3, there's a lot of fuss about whether these are "true" Space themes and there is a lot of nostalgia for the early 90s. But what if you're only really interested in collecting minifigs? Well then, the CMF series is a boon, and the last four years are probably the golden age for you. What if you're a Star Wars fan? Then your "golden age" for LEGO is probably right now. My point is this is all completely subjective. The only thing that we CAN stipulate is that LEGO's profitability seems to have risen in recent years. Smash hit themes like NinjaGo and Star Wars are reaping profits while LEGO continues to deliver reasonably high-quality sets and D2C models that us AFOLs simply drool over. As a company, LEGO might very well be in the "golden ages", but that might not mean much to you or me. Just to drive home how subjective these things are, my "golden age" is actually the early 2000s. Life On Mars, one of the most despised Space themes of all time, is actually one of my most cherished. And that's only because of nostalgia. "Golden ages" are pretty ambiguous. Can we really define them at all?

How about a walker? That's the one vehicle type that hasn't been much represented in this theme so far. We have the smallish Mech from the VV, but no fully realized $49.99 battle machine. So much potential! Unless you count the Star Slicer as a mech... which you could sort of get away with, but it's still a far cry from this... (I don't think I'll ever stop talking about this set )

Exclusive minifigs, well-constructed vehicle, fun play features, and less expensive than the Bug Obliterator. I think most of us just thought it was eye-catching by design. If you didn't, I doubt you'll like it as much as some of us do.

Some people aren't too keen on this set, but for my part I love it. The minifigures are absolute top-notch, and the fighter design itself is great to me (although I've always been partial to stunt fighters). I LOVE the rotating cockpit, excellent move there by the designers. $19.99 is a fair price to me, considering the PTP ratio, and the size of some of the pieces. It might seem a little small, but the value isn't in the size anyway. Great review of a great set, probably one of the first I'll pick up from this line.

Generally, I agree, although the Dragonfly that comes with the Bug Obliterator and the Space Swarmer are both clearly spacefairing vehicles.

I am unreasonably jealous of you all. I must wait until Christmas unfortunately.

I like Kai's Fire Robot a lot. Personally, this wave interests me a lot more than the Snake one.

By the way, LEGO's official comments are very positive - I think you've got a chance at getting this approved mate!

I'd like to add my congradulations as well. You've really earned this and you have the support of the AFOL community.

This sounds like rumor-mongering to me. LucasFilm was a surprise, but George was actively looking for somebody to hock SW off to, and decided on Disney. Hasbro isn't looking to be bought, to my knowledge (though I may be wrong). I wouldn't worry about LSW. It really is a gold mine.

You are right, that is unusual. I get the sense that releasing these sets so early was a last-minute decision on LEGO's part - I suppose they wanted to capitalize on the holiday season.

Very interesting, and that indeed makes a lot of sense. The Dino line from earlier this year is a good example - there was a very low price/piece ratio due to the expensive Dino models included in each set. I think the designers did a good job of making the sets feel substantial anyway. The $0.10/piece is probably just a generalized ratio that most sets happen to share based on LEGO's pricing model. Obviously gigantic canopies, printed parts, and unique minifigures are all going to cost more than that. Not a big deal to me anyway, they're priced fairly enough and I love them! Worth every penny IMO

That's true enough. Still, not as many new molds as the original Insectoids.

I feel the same way. The prices aren't ridiculous, but definitely a bit higher than usual for an unlicensed theme. It's anyone's guess as to why.

Wow this was unexpected. I'll be buying out this whole theme for sure.

Still a pretty creative idea, though.

You wonderful man you. EDIT: I am now sitting here waiting for the brickshelf folder to go public.