Algernon

I think the difference isn't that they're less insectoid, just more cartoony and child-friendly. I can see these new Insectoids in an animated series very easily. Not so much the original Insectoids, which were much darker and creepier. The Warp Stinger is actually one of my favorite sets. It's not streamlined because it's a space ship and it doesn't need to be. I think you'd like it better if you compared it to Gradius, like I've been doing: Notice how everything is very side-oriented, as in meant to be viewed from the side. I really think LEGO drew more inspiration from this than the Insectoids from the 90s. There's a lot more similarity. True, but loosely. The Space Police vehicles are based on the modern police, but they clearly took some artistic liberties in the design process to make them Sci-Fi. It seems that LEGO did the same thing to the Earth insects that inspired their set designs here. They seem bug-like enough to me. Fair enough. I agree that they're front heavy, but I just don't see that as a bad thing. The Vermin Vaporizer is definitely front-heavy, but the aesthetics still work because it's designed with that in mind. It's a little more interesting, I think. But, it's to each their own. I personally quite like them - true, there are some imperfections here and there, but when's the last time a LEGO theme has been perfect? There are some really well-designed vehicles here, and a very nice change of tone for LEGO Space. I think it's a positive trend and I fully support it.

I can understand not liking the sets, since it's just an opinion, but it's a little weird to me that you'd disaparage the Insectoids because they're not consistent with Earth insect biology. Everything you've said can be easily justified by the fact that these are indeed alien species with insect-like features, rather than mosquitos gone rogue. I also have a hard time seeing why that would matter in any case... it's not like LEGO's paid much attention to scientific accuracy in the past. Were you expecting a theme about Galactic Special Ops teams fighting swarms of alien bugs to be realistic?

I'll agree with the first two, but my #3 is gonna have to be the Space Swarmer, which only narrowly edges out the Swarm Interceptor.

FINALLY have a chance to comment on these! I saw the pictures last night but I've been too busy to pound out any legitimate thoughts. *cracks knuckles* Swarm Interceptor - Just lovely! I'm sure this will be a popular set due to the low price point and appealing design. I'm loving amount of detail on the interceptor - it doesn't appear to have taken any hits in the design department for whatever transforming feature it seems to have (not terribly clear from the photo). Color scheme is nice, and both minfigs are pretty good (I love the head print on the pilot). I notice that the cockpit seems to rotate independently from the body - that's a novel idea. This set is great, and I have no doubt that I'll be getting it. Space Swarmer - I think this set pairs nicely with the Interceptor since they seem to have a similar price point and similar vehicular roles. Again, I just adore the blue android this set includes - that head piece is marvelous. The Swarmer itself is just as good, the compact design serves it quite well. Plus printed parts ( !!) are included! Absolutely too good to pass up. Warp Stinger - Easily my favorite of the Insectoid sets, and I imagine many people will agree. The design reminds me heavily of oldschool Space Invaders style enemies, which is a good thing. Love the structure of the insectoid face, and trans-green wing pieces. Very eye-catching, and I'm loving it. The unique android it includes is almost enough of a reason to get it alone! Check out those trans-lightblue blades!! Another buy for me. Star Slicer - Obviously the weakest set in the theme. The spindley, skeletal design reminds me unpleasantly of Exo-Force (god I hated that theme. It was like a crappy NinjaGo with some subtle racism). I actually don't recall hearing this set's name in any of the descriptions we found - maybe I'm just forgetful? In any case, this set is alright. I do like the human vehicle, although I wish it had a unique color scheme (the light blue/white is rather dull imo). I don't fully understand the purpose of the pod thing. How do the Squaddies get trapped in that? Do they trip into it? Vermin Vaporizer - PRAISE JEBUS! This set is awesome! I really had no idea what to expect with this one, but it actually might be my absolute favorite from what we've seen. I just love the heavy-duty, compact design of the armored laboratory, and the mech is extremely solid. Even the alien ship is nice enough. I like the android as well, although not as much as the blue one included with the Space Swarmer. I'm in love with this set already, absolutely marvelous. :thumbup: Bug Oblitorator - I'll echo what everyone else has said about this set and say that it's decent without being mind-blowing. I think a lot of us are feeling let down by the ship's size, if nothing else - I was hoping for a gigantic dropship or a capital ship of some kind. However, if you get past the concept of a capital ship, it's really quite well designed. I love the angles they used on the wings, and even if it is a little over-weaponized, the weapons are well implemented. If some reviews cast it in a positive light, I might be persuaded into picking this up, although for now it's near the bottom of my list. This theme is brilliant to me so far. Unique, collectable androids? Sleek spaceship designs? A return to true Space (well, almost)? Please and thank you. I am definitely on board with this! I really hope they're out for Christmas. I just might buy them all.

Ugh, so all of the human vehicles are going to split in half? Sounds like LEGO's sacificing aesthetics for play features again. Oh well, I'll reserve judgement until we see more.

Well it's about darn time. I take back what I said about doubting these had actually been spotted... LEGO seems to be experiencing some very unusual leaks this year! I love the blue robot in the Space Swarmer! I had no idea this theme was going to have androids, I'm so happy to see them returning! That is definitely a must-have for me. I wish I was more excited about the Bug Obliterator. It seems they took the modularity a little too far. I don't dislike it - and I will probably wind up getting it - but it could have been a little more like a capital ship for my taste. I really hope we get to see the rest! EDIT: I think it's pretty clear the "helmet" figs are robots and not humans. The old Insectoids had androids as well. EDIT 2: One more observation before bed. The Earth-like planet in the background seems to be enveloped in green gas. Possible plot point?

I don't know, I think he's more useful as a minifigure this way. Plus, much easier to fit inside a cockpit.

The same happened with Legends of Chima, but Chima appears to be gearing up for release already. I still want some kind of proof that these have been sighted in stores...

I really hope those wings change color.

... does this sound extremely far-fetched to anyone else? This theme is supposedly launching in March. We don't even have any official photos yet, the idea of them popping up in stores is pretty outlandish.

I think the armor, torsos, and some of the masks from the Chima minifigures could be useful. It just takes a little imagination. Also, I personally expect to see these on shelves in December. It's happened before.

This is beyond cool. Absolutely incredible. I LOVE the clean style, it hardly looks like LEGO. Very very impressive.

I don't know how hard you're squinting to see anything in that blurry mess, but I am completely lost.

I think they both look awesome, although I like the green one a little bit more than the red guy. They're both pretty satisfying, though - I'm glad we're getting more than one "species" of Insectoid. I hope the humans are special enough to warrant collecting this theme on the figs alone! This might very well be the first theme I've been excited about since Space Police 3.

I just love this. Amazingly gritty, practical design that fits Dieselpunk very well. Fantastic work.

Since this is theoretically NinjaGo's "replacement" I would assume that theme is intended to have longer legs than most action themes. There is, after all, a LOT of room for expansion.

Wow, those are some nifty teasers. I guess the Lion clan appears to be the "main" protagonist. Also loving that view of the croc boat!

I'll admit that the prints were definitely "busy", but I think it fit the idea of a cybernetic alien race. More to the point, I didn't think they were so busy as to make them unlikable. There was a lot of creativity to be had, and the Warp Wing Fighter is still one of my favorite classic sets.

Well... that's disappointing.

I guess I'm one of the few who enjoyed this theme, for the minfiigs in particular. The sinister alien helmets are great, and the trans-orange minifig heads are a novel idea. Some of the bigger sets are definitely "<insert that tiresome argument>", but the small-to-mid-range vehicles are actually quite nice. I'd encourage all the naysayers to give this theme a second look.

That was adorable.

That is very exciting news! This theme is the most exciting we've had in a long time. The high possibility of a second wave is just fantastic, and I'm extremely intrigued by the "Galaxy Walker". Always down with LEGO mechwarrior!

You raise a pretty good point, and I agree on all counts. However, there is still a lot of value created by establishing a brand with many years of products and creating equity. NinjaGo is a good example; although it is being retired this year, it developed a cult following of brand loyalists and many will be sad to see it go. The "specialists" that kids identify with, as you mentioned, are no longer. Some marketting potential is lost there. That said, you're still correct that the consumer attention span is at a record low and hitting kids rapidly with new ideas seems to be paying off. I think there's probably a balance somewhere.

It's more or less been confirmed that the Insectoids will have a means of capturing the Squaddies, so it makes sense that the Squaddies would also have some kind of prison cell system. I only hope it's not too strongly reflected in the set design, like it was in Space Police 3... imagine how much better the Galactic Enforcer would have been without the prison cells.

This is intruiging. I doubt they would photoshop such a specific feature into the box art unless it had something to do with a play function. I also appreciate the return to LEGO's no-violence policy.