Review: 60428 Space Construction Mech
Posted by CapnRex101,
60428 Space Construction Mech stood out to me when the new Space range was announced, due partly I am sure to the similarities between this model and 8957 Mine Mech from the esteemed Power Miners theme. Somehow, the proportions of both mechs are very appealing.
However, nostalgia is far from the only source of interest here, as the mech is nicely articulated and piloted by a desirable minifigure, wearing new space armour. With a price of only £8.99, $10.99 or €9.99, this should be an excellent set.
Summary
60428 Space Construction Mech, 140 pieces.
£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99 | 6.4p/7.9c/7.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
60428 Space Construction Mech provides an affordable introduction to the Space range
- Well-proportioned mech
- Very good play value
- Excellent minifigure
- Hammer motion can be frustrating
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
The new Space subtheme includes astronauts wearing various colourful uniforms. Each colour seemingly reflects their role and I think flame yellowish orange denotes engineers, which would explain their bulkier suits than the other astronauts. The new body armour looks superb and four studs are found on the back, while the front displays a version of the Classic Space symbol.
Details continue on the torso, despite usually being hidden under the chest armour. The dark blue and metallic gold accents are attractive and I like the orange stripe on the legs too. This minifigure also sports a new helmet, complete with moulded texture on every side and a trans-clear visor. I am glad the engineer is present here, as this uniform type is otherwise limited to the three largest sets in the range.
The head underneath the helmet is interesting as well, featuring a hearing aid. This piece has appeared just three times before and those sets are much more expensive, so it is nice to see such a useful design available in a more affordable set this year.
The Completed Model
Although the astronaut's suit already looks capable of heavy workloads, sometimes even more strength is necessary. This mech should suffice and measures 10cm in height, which is a good size for play. As mentioned earlier, I like its proportions and the stocky legs in particular, but the cockpit roll cage looks quite odd without a minifigure inside.
However, once a minifigure is seated, the roll cage fits nicely around them. In addition, the mech is fully articulated, including versatile ankle joints which provide ample support for varied poses. The adjustable claw also works well, comfortably gripping the supplied trans-opalescent purple crystals. There are no elbow joints though, which is somewhat restrictive.
The mech also lacks any obvious controls, so is presumably operated by mapping the pilot's movements onto the arms and legs. A couple of traditional levers would not have gone amiss here, or perhaps a more substantial structure between the roll cage and the seat. On the other hand, I like the floodlights flanking the pilot, as well as the sand blue accents.
A pair of trans-opalescent purple batteries are attached on the back. These appear across the new City and Friends Space subthemes, displaying a printed battery icon on top. Their angled connection looks good on the mech and the pearl gold actuators on either side of the body are welcome too, although I am less keen on the red piece where the torso connects to the hips.
Otherwise, the mech's colour scheme looks excellent, featuring sand blue and reddish orange highlights to match the other Space sets. I like the sand blue hammer in particular, although its sliding motion seems unnecessary and I would have preferred a static design, or perhaps some kind of transformation between a hammer and a pickaxe.
The updated Classic Space logo is printed on both upper arms, but the mech also requires a few stickers for the hazard stripes on the hammer and the feet. These details are nice, but the mechanical texture on the legs is more important and I think the hazard stripe stickers could be omitted.
A fourth hazard stripe sticker decorates the accompanying robot, which looks superb. I like the dark bluish grey Technic 3x3 frame representing tracks, while another purple battery is situated on the back, powering the drilling arms. These batteries are energised via crystals, two of which are provided with a small piece of terrain.
Overall
I love the fantastical approach taken to the new Space range and 60428 Space Construction Mech is a great introduction to this subtheme. The focal model looks impressive and includes ample detail, considering its modest size, as well as reasonable articulation. The robot is a fun addition too, although I would have liked it to connect with the mech somehow.
Moreover, I find the loose movement of the hammer slightly irritating and this function was really not needed, in my opinion. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable set and the minifigure is outstanding, while the price of £8.99, $10.99 or €9.99 feels very reasonable to me.
155 likes
59 comments on this article
I guess the red could be some kind of emergency thing
And if the pilot is controlling the mech with his limb movements, he should probably be standing
While I'm not a mech guy, I believe mechs add to the flavour of any sci-fi scenerey. I'm very happy we get one for the City Space range and for a reasonable price - buying these small sets satisfie my hunger for new LEGO when workdays are really dull =)
Let's not kid ourselves. Even though this is officially a subtheme of City, this Space is enough to be the return of Space theme that we have been lacking since Galaxy Squad. 8 sets is enough to make up a theme, and with aliens and colorful crystals, these sets are more imaginative and adventurous than the brick interpretations of NASA vehicle concepts we've had lately (which weren't bad, by the way). But hoverbikes, colorful spacesuits, and interstellar spacecraft are far beyond "realistic, hard science" models. So let's rejoice that Space is back, and hope it stays around for a long time!
As for this particular model, the lack of any control, or even a mostly enclosed cockpit, don't do it for me. But I am glad that it is part of a good new development, and the return of imaginative space. And I have to admit that past space sets, like the smallest UFO sets, have lacked controls too.
“Get away from her, you BRICK!”
This looks like a lovely little space army builder set. Really nice to see decent prices on this subtheme.
@tne328 said:
"Let's not kid ourselves. Even though this is officially a subtheme of City, this Space is enough to be the return of Space theme that we have been lacking since Galaxy Squad. 8 sets is enough to make up a theme, and with aliens and colorful crystals, these sets are more imaginative and adventurous than the brick interpretations of NASA vehicle concepts we've had lately (which weren't bad, by the way). But hoverbikes, colorful spacesuits, and interstellar spacecraft are far beyond "realistic, hard science" models. So let's rejoice that Space is back, and hope it stays around for a long time!
As for this particular model, the lack of any control, or even a mostly enclosed cockpit, don't do it for me. But I am glad that it is part of a good new development, and the return of imaginative space. And I have to admit that past space sets, like the smallest UFO sets, have lacked controls too. "
I'd argue this collection of sets is too similar to the recent NASA-inspired sub-theme. These sets look like more near-future exploration whereas I was hoping for sets with a bit of storytelling baked in, similar to Blacktron, M-tron, Space Police. Glad to see that emblem live on though!
I'm really looking forward to this space theme. It's a subtle connector between the more NASA-based modern sets and the wilder sets of old.
In space... no one can hear your hearing aid whistles.
Unironically such a great set. Yes I love it partly because of my childhood Power Miners nostalgia, but also because the set is legitimately good. So pumped that Space is finally back after 11 years!
The colour represents the role and a sort of yellow colour represents engineers...
If there are any wearing red uniforms and they have a kind of security role I don't fancy their chances of surviving any away missions
@EvilTwin said:
"The colour represents the role and a sort of yellow colour represents engineers...
If there are any wearing red uniforms and they have a kind of security role I don't fancy their chances of surviving any away missions"
There aren't any red minifigures. Apparently they've already died!
@CDM said:
" @tne328 said:
"Let's not kid ourselves. Even though this is officially a subtheme of City, this Space is enough to be the return of Space theme that we have been lacking since Galaxy Squad. 8 sets is enough to make up a theme, and with aliens and colorful crystals, these sets are more imaginative and adventurous than the brick interpretations of NASA vehicle concepts we've had lately (which weren't bad, by the way). But hoverbikes, colorful spacesuits, and interstellar spacecraft are far beyond "realistic, hard science" models. So let's rejoice that Space is back, and hope it stays around for a long time!
As for this particular model, the lack of any control, or even a mostly enclosed cockpit, don't do it for me. But I am glad that it is part of a good new development, and the return of imaginative space. And I have to admit that past space sets, like the smallest UFO sets, have lacked controls too. "
I'd argue this collection of sets is too similar to the recent NASA-inspired sub-theme. These sets look like more near-future exploration whereas I was hoping for sets with a bit of storytelling baked in, similar to Blacktron, M-tron, Space Police. Glad to see that emblem live on though!"
Ah interesting, as I think the opposite - the recent City Space sets were more realistic and near future/happening, whereas this new line is more fantastical with the aliens and whatnot. I sort of wish they had just launched this as a new Space theme instead of branding it as City, like @tne328 mentioned.
I feel like City should be more ‘current world’, something that has slipped before with the World City theme.
I appreciate that, even though it’s not the exact same mold, the helmet on these orange astronauts is clearly based on the Space Miner from the 12th series of CMFs
https://brickset.com/minifigs/col184/space-miner-series-12-(minifigure-only-without-stand-and-accessories)
SPACESHIP!!!
Anybody else see that helmet and think of the spacesuit from Doctor Who? you know, the one that originated in the 2006 episodes The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit? This has dark implications for this miner figure, tbh...
@UProbeck said:
"SPACESHIP!!!"
Space MECHA
Right price for the right size. This will make collecting a decent sized construction crew fairly easy.
It’s a good looking mech, too. Reminds me a bit of Strategic Pursuer, but with less hopping.
@capnrex101 please keep these city space reviews coming! I can’t wait to see the other sets!
I quite like this! Buy three and mod the other Mecha's, attach a drill to an arm, a forklift kinda thing, components for fixing machinery (SPACESHIP! for sure), lotsa possibilities.
Love the set. Will get at least 3-5 of these little buggers. The only complaint I have on this set (and the entire space wave) are the stickers. I can't understand why they couldn't print the 2x1 and 3x1 hazard stripes when we already have them printed for the 4x1s in last year's arctic exploration sets. I do hope they stop cutting corners soon. The rest I love.
Ooh, pearlple! More please!
@Ridgeheart said:
" @Murdoch17 said:
"Anybody else see that helmet and think of the spacesuit from Doctor Who? you know, the one that originated in the 2006 episodes The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit? This has dark implications for this miner figure, tbh..."
Well - the themes have sets with inky black symbiotic tentacles, one of the vehicles is taken straight from Mass Effect, this suit appears to either be a Power Loader or an SCV, there's a cat named "Jones", and all of the security-guards are missing, presumed dead.
It would appear that purple energy comes at a terrible price; now we just wait to see who between Venom, the Reapers, the Zerg, the Xenomorphs and the ACTUAL DEVIL HIMSELF it will be that puts an end to this daring space-heist.
Hey! Who turned off the lights?"
My money is on Evil Emperor Zurg being behind it all. (No, I don't meant the new imposter from the recent film, I mean the original guy fom the Buzz lightyear of Star Command tv show) It's either that, or mirror universe Buzz Lightyear (with goatee!) because yes, that was a thing.
@CapnRex101 will you be reviewing 60430? I hope so because that is the only one out of this space subtheme I am interested in.
Very GOOD review. I was not 100 % sure will I buy this set. BUT after reading this review I understood that it seems this "Space Theme" is very high quality. TLG design team has really think about all these sets.
There is some much WAR in the world - so it is rare that we get this science, miner, research SPACE sci-fi faction. AND if it is popular... could there be even OWN space theme.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @CapnRex101 will you be reviewing 60430? I hope so because that is the only one out of this space subtheme I am interested in."
I just finished building it. It's great! Pushing down on the battery spreads open the engine parts. The ship is quite sleek. My only (minor) gripe is that there's nowhere to stow the jetpack.
It's a very good value at 20 USD.
I think it is kinda sad, that this very exploration focused theme without much conflict has to be under City instead of its own IP.
@Maxbricks14 said:
" @CapnRex101 will you be reviewing 60430? I hope so because that is the only one out of this space subtheme I am interested in."
That's one of the sets on my wanted list, but I really want him to review 60432. It just looks so awesome!
Getting serious Alien vibes looking at this mech. But no controls for the pilot is a serious shortcoming.
I’m interested in the new Space sets but would have preferred that they didn’t come as part of the branding for other themes. Would’ve been better if Lego had simply created a new Space branding to stand on its own merits rather than be a sub-theme of City, Dreamz, technic etc.
Alien queen sold separately?
@Murdoch17:
Star Command actually fits better with Lightyear than it ever did with Toy Story. The _original_ TS2 Zurg was just another deluded toy, like the original Buzz Lightyear from TS1. Star Command's premise was that they were the actual characters the toys believed themselves to be, and feels very much like the sort of spin-off show that would follow the events of Lightyear. As far as I'm concerned, that was exactly what the creative team of Lightyear was attempting to do. I just wish I could buy Star Command on DVD to set beside the rest of my Pixar film collection.
@PurpleDave said:
" @Murdoch17:
Star Command actually fits better with Lightyear than it ever did with Toy Story. The _original_ TS2 Zurg was just another deluded toy, like the original Buzz Lightyear from TS1. Star Command's premise was that they were the actual characters the toys believed themselves to be, and feels very much like the sort of spin-off show that would follow the events of Lightyear. As far as I'm concerned, that was exactly what the creative team of Lightyear was attempting to do. I just wish I could buy Star Command on DVD to set beside the rest of my Pixar film collection."
You mean Zurg ISN'T Buzz's father? I feel like my entire world has been torn asunder... ;-P
@Murdoch17:
There’s a decent chance they share the same father, in an injection-molding machine somewhere in SE Asia. Being from different molds, they have different mothers.
I am SO HAPPY that we have a new range of Space sets that aren't conflict-driven. The debut Classic Space was very driven by the excitement and wonder of space exploration; while there were pieces of implied weaponry in the sets, they were mostly depicted as vehicle protection or scanners. Later "Space" themes like Alien Conquest or Galaxy Squad personally were hard to recognize as part of the same evergreen Space umbrella since they were so focused on conflict-in-a-box; space was depicted as something to be feared instead of something to be united by. I say that as someone who grew up with conflict themes. These new peaceful Space sets with this particular aesthetic feel so fresh and "back to basics," keeping a fantastical design bend but within a not-too-distant-future visual style.
i'm pretty sure that:
- yellow signifies miners
- green signifies researchers/engineers
- blue signifies pilots
and the darker colored versions are the captains/higher ranks of their class
@AverageChimaEnjoyer said:
"I guess the red could be some kind of emergency thing
And if the pilot is controlling the mech with his limb movements, he should probably be standing.
Disclaimer: Elton John minifigure not included. "
@Ridgeheart said:
" @wasn said:
"I think it is kinda sad, that this very exploration focused theme without much conflict has to be under City instead of its own IP.
"
It's not though. It's the new overarching theme for City, Friends and Technic. In fact, you could argue that those are now sub-themes of Space.
And I will argue that. I will die on this hill, AND I'M TAKING ALL OF YOU WITH ME."
You take Rio and these four mudskulls, and go left. I'll take this mouthy skootch, and go right. Maybe we'll get lucky!
C'mon, we can take 'im!
@Murdoch17 said:
"Anybody else see that helmet and think of the spacesuit from Doctor Who? you know, the one that originated in the 2006 episodes The Impossible Planet / The Satan Pit? This has dark implications for this miner figure, tbh..."
When I got 71007-6, which has the same helmet, I immediately thought, "This guy looks like something out of Doctor Who." Incidentally, one cool thing about that helmet is that it's designed so that the visor can be inserted the normal way, or upside-down from that orientation.
@Tynansd said:
"Getting serious Alien vibes looking at this mech. But no controls for the pilot is a serious shortcoming.
I’m interested in the new Space sets but would have preferred that they didn’t come as part of the branding for other themes. Would’ve been better if Lego had simply created a new Space branding to stand on its own merits rather than be a sub-theme of City, Dreamz, technic etc. "
Why would it have been better? What is the downside of spreading the love between other themes?
@560heliport said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @CapnRex101 will you be reviewing 60430? I hope so because that is the only one out of this space subtheme I am interested in."
I just finished building it. It's great! Pushing down on the battery spreads open the engine parts. The ship is quite sleek. My only (minor) gripe is that there's nowhere to stow the jetpack.
It's a very good value at 20 USD."
I just wrote a review here on 60430 ‘s Brickset set details page if you are interested! Couldn’t agree more with @560heliport!
So LEGO uses a sticker on the drone, despite https://brickset.com/parts/6329649/flat-tile-1x2-no-305 being in the same City year, in 60417: Police Speedboat and Crooks' Hideout hmm.
I disagree about the reviewer's opinion on a static design for the hammer being a better idea. I think as a 6+ set, the lower end of that age range will dig the action feature.
@TeriXeri said:
"So LEGO uses a sticker on the drone, despite https://brickset.com/parts/6329649/flat-tile-1x2-no-305 being in the same City year, in 60417: Police Speedboat and Crooks' Hideout hmm."
Once they're doing the sticker sheet already, it's probably cheaper to just make an extra sticker than it is to switch to a printed part. The danger stripes are also consistent patterns in this set, where the tile you linked to has two additional stripes (but there's no reason they couldn't have copied the tile's print for this set). Ultimately, though, I think the bigger issue is that the danger stripes don't really get your attention if they're not printed on either safety yellow or safety orange. Dark-bley is just a terrible color to put them on, unless you also print the yellow stripes on the sticker.
Anyways, the weird thing is, there was a time when I could have actually used danger stripe stickers, but I'd have needed both left and right versions. In the end, I gave up on finding a sticker or decorated part that I could use to make a 6-wide Mater's rear bumper with, and I just brickbuilt the stripes. It's that sort of solution that helped make him 378pcs.
@Alrighty said:
" @560heliport said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
" @CapnRex101 will you be reviewing 60430? I hope so because that is the only one out of this space subtheme I am interested in."
I just finished building it. It's great! Pushing down on the battery spreads open the engine parts. The ship is quite sleek. My only (minor) gripe is that there's nowhere to stow the jetpack.
It's a very good value at 20 USD."
I just wrote a review here on 60430 ‘s Brickset set details page if you are interested! Couldn’t agree more with @560heliport!
"
Great review, thanks.
This space line is mine!
Nice to see they're not being stingy with the energy crystals either. Can't wait to see more reviews of the other sets in this theme.
@PurpleDave said:
"
Anyways, the weird thing is, there was a time when I could have actually used danger stripe stickers, but I'd have needed both left and right versions. In the end, I gave up on finding a sticker or decorated part that I could use to make a 6-wide Mater's rear bumper with, and I just brickbuilt the stripes. It's that sort of solution that helped make him 378pcs."
LEGO actually brick builds danger stripes in 60414 : Fire Station with Fire Truck , Vibrant Yellow/Black 2x2 triangle tiles used in pattern.
@TeriXeri said:
" LEGO actually brick builds danger stripes in 60414 : Fire Station with Fire Truck , Vibrant Yellow/Black 2x2 triangle tiles used in pattern."
Also there's a new printed 1x6 danger stripe tile in 60401: Construction Steamroller
https://brickset.com/parts/6468323/flat-tile-1x6-no-41 , seems to be useful on the rear of 6-wide vehicles and trailers (especially oversized cargo, in Europe sometimes called 'Convoi Exceptionnel' )
@TeriXeri:
I built Mater in 2018, so I don’t think those were available yet. I built sideways SNOT, two studs tall, so I fit more stripes in the same amount of space than triangle tiles would allow, plus there were breaks in the pattern for places that tow chains could be attached. You can see basically what I was trying to emulate here, except I was making a surface that was 2x6 instead of 1x4:
https://brickset.com/parts/6188145/flat-tile-1x4-no-99
So what exactly is irritating about the hammer motion? The review never says.
@Psychfops said:
"i'm pretty sure that:
- yellow signifies miners
- green signifies researchers/engineers
- blue signifies pilots
and the darker colored versions are the captains/higher ranks of their class"
So the guy in the flashy gold and black space suit, wearing fringed epaulettes, and carrying a baton or swagger stick is the general, admiral, or marshal? Looks to me as if the designers looked a bit too much at current and historical military uniforms when they probably should’ve looked at sci-fi military uniforms for inspiration.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @MutoidMan said:
" @Psychfops said:
"i'm pretty sure that:
- yellow signifies miners
- green signifies researchers/engineers
- blue signifies pilots
and the darker colored versions are the captains/higher ranks of their class"
So the guy in the flashy gold and black space suit, wearing fringed epaulettes, and carrying a baton or swagger stick is the general, admiral, or marshal? Looks to me as if the designers looked a bit too much at current and historical military uniforms when they probably should’ve looked at sci-fi military uniforms for inspiration.
"
Space Pimp."
Nah, the Brick Daddy from Space Police III has that job filled.
Welll, the mech just looks a bit... I'd say, empty? Where's the normal place for the astronaut to pilot the mech? Or is it some sort of a new limb-piloting technology? If so, the pilot should be standing....
Space 2.0 (and beyond) and I am here for it. Hadn’t realised this (sub)theme was coming so a pleasant surprise to see various sets in the wild in a local store. The packaging really pushes Space and the Classic, updated logo in a way Lego felt reluctant to do in recent waves, hedging its bets with NASA tie-ins. Great to see this re-imagining - and the range of sets from the polybag hover bike to rovers, ships and bases - and this mech. Seeing the boxes genuinely brought a smile to my face and this review makes me even more excited to explore these - and yes, I am an AFOL but I love that Lego can still spark child-like joy. And looking forward to collecting these new space figures to sit alongside their classic counterparts.
There are two control schemes I find the most probable:
1. Iron Man - Cybernetic pickups in the helmet or skullcap pass commands from the pilot’s brain directly to the mech.
2. Amplified Mobility Platform (Avatar) - Control sensors built into the pilot’s spacesuit pass commands from the arms, hands, and feet to the mech.
In addition, a HUD is likely built into the pilot's helmet, displaying information on the mech’s performance and status.
It's Hammer Time!
Actually pretty excited to pick this one up. Haven't felt that way in a while
@MutoidMan said:
"There are two control schemes I find the most probable:
1. Iron Man - Cybernetic pickups in the helmet or skullcap pass commands from the pilot’s brain directly to the mech.
2. Amplified Mobility Platform (Avatar) - Control sensors built into the pilot’s spacesuit pass commands from the arms, hands, and feet to the mech.
In addition, a HUD is likely built into the pilot's helmet, displaying information on the mech’s performance and status. "
But of course that hearing aid is also (or instead) a cybernetic neural link for controlling the mech. No levers needed and no need for exhausting standing position too.
@wasn said:
"I think it is kinda sad, that this very exploration focused theme without much conflict has to be under City instead of its own IP.
"
Who cares? Bricks are bricks. Themes dont matter.
I find it odd whenever LEGO decides to use stickers for pieces that have existing printed designs.
That hazard sign in particular, has been available in two variants :1x2 and 1x4 tiles. Same case with the wood pieces.
No words.