Review: 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket
Posted by MeganL,
Friends 2023 was excellent, and the Friends team has their work cut out for them to maintain the fantastic quality from last year.
It's also been a while since there's been a Friends set that's explored something entirely new, but we certainly have that with 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket. Finally - Friends in Space!
Summary
42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket, 981 pieces.
£79.99 / $79.99 / €89.99 | 8.2p/8.2c/9.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A fun start to the year with a set that explores new territory
- Friends in Space!
- Modular construction allows for flexibility
- Plenty of activity
- None!
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
I love the packaging of this set - it's partly silver because of the Space theme. There's a QR code that shows how the interlock piece in this Friends set is also found in other themes. I'll have more observations about that later on.
Inside the box there eight numbered bags, a 8x8 boat piece loose in the box, and a folder with six instruction books to allow for concurrent building. As this set is modular, it seems ideal for a group build. The sticker sheet is not overly large for the set.
Minidolls, animals, and aliens
There are three minidolls in this set, and none of them are the core eight characters. This is the first time that I can remember a Friends set not having one of the core cast. Olivia is in the set, but she's no longer part of the core cast.
Still, it's good to see her, and I'm happy that she's now an astronaut! She's dressed in her flight suit. It must be a bulky suit, as her torso is an androgynous one. Her hair is swept up in a flight-friendly bun. Joining her is Julian, who we met in last year's 41713 Olivia's Space Academy. Julian is dressed in the same suit.
Rounding out the cast is Aveline, the mission commander of the expedition. Her suit is similar to those of Olivia and Julian, except hers is purple, presumably denoting her rank.
Normally, I would say it's hard to have cute animals in space, but not in the Friends world! Jones the space cat is on the mission. He's the same kind of cat as Churro, but has a mask so he can survive and has the distinction of having silver ears!
I love that this set includes an alien - another first for a Friends set. I originally thought this was a Friends-ified alien, but the City aliens have the same face.
Each astronaut is equipped with a SCBA/helmet, which they'll need in interacting with the alien.
The completed model
The first build of the set is a rocket. It's made of three modules, linked by the orange interlock pieces. There's a small green Mars rock that provides a home for the alien. I like the inclusion of the Classic Space logo on the base of the rocket (provided by stickers).
Two smaller builds show some of the activities that can be pursued from the base, a Mars rover and a drone. I like the printed piece that shows the battery pack on the rover.
Best of all, both of these pieces of equipment can fit into the rocket for transport to the base.
Once the equipment is removed, we can see that this module can be a sleeping area, with the detail of a sleeping bag provided by a sticker.
Since space (no pun intended) is a premium, it's handy that the bed can flip up to be a lab workstation, with a laptop, some samples and a microscope.
The pilot section accommodates two minidolls and has details on the navigation screen provided by a sticker. The hatch is clear purple and fits on top (not in this picture).
Moving on to the main portion of the build - the space base! It's constructed by modules, so we'll take a look at each one individually.
The first is the airlock portion where the astronauts gain access to the space base from the planet. We also see that Jones has their own little module on the top of this unit.
The hatch flips up, and moving two gears on the side of the module moves a piece of floor slowly into the airlock......
which will then also open the doors to gain entry into the space base. In this picture you can also see the details of Jones' quarters, which includes a food dish and a display screen.
Of course, when Jones is out on a mission, others will check things out.
(Note: space faring sloth not included in this set.)
The next module is a personal space for the astronauts. The transparent quarter shell pieces are used to finish the enclosure. It can be opened by flipping the shell down.
Removing the shell affords a better view of the space. A crucial piece of equipment, the coffee maker, is there along with a couple of mugs. A cookie is perched next to one of the mugs, as I'm sure the astronauts get hungry.
The table with mug and cookie also flips down to become another bed. This also shows a closer look at the bulletin board. In addition to work stuff displayed on a monitor (I originally thought that was Nova on-screen, but I don't think it is), some personal items are tacked below. It looks like Julian has a partner and a young child, and is that Zobo I spot?
Rumours of cookies bring all kinds of visitors.
(Note: space faring sloth not included in this set.)
The other glassed-in module is a food growing and prep area. For all the space faring sets we've seen in City, I wonder if there's ever been a set that focused on this aspect of space life.
There are a variety of fruits and vegetables growing, including some tomatoes on the wall, in a great way of maximizing space.
A first aid kit is included here - perhaps the powers that be are worried about injuries in the food prep area - that knife could be dangerous.
First aid kit or not, snacks will always attract visitors.
(Note: space faring sloth not included with this set.)
If you think there's something that we haven't covered yet, you're right! We're missing the all-important Friends bathroom. It (of course) has its own module. Though keeping with the effective use of space, the side of the module is used as a spot to store the SCBA gear as well as some tools.
The lav itself is cylindrical in shape, and marked by a sticker.
Rotating the solar panel on the top reveals the facilities inside.
The final module to be constructed is the communications centre. From there, Aveline can see everything that's going on thanks to the five screens showing all the activity outside.
All the modules can be connected together (with or without the use of the interlock pieces), so there are a number of ways the space base can be configured. The picture at the top of the review shows the way that the set is displayed on the box.
There are three alternate configurations included in the instructions - I'll show two here. This is the first one. I love the smaller rocket! This arrangement has the two main modules right next to each other, connected by a doorway.
This is another configuration, with the two main modules at each end, and the other modules in between. This one may make more sense, as the bathroom is right in the middle.
This is the rear view of the last one, mostly to show the use of the communications module.
Overall thoughts
This is a super fun set with so much going on! I love that the Friends (or rather Olivia and friends) have ventured into space. There's an incredible amount of play value here, with the set being structured with different modules so everyone can arrange the base to their preference. I love that a module can be incorporated from the rocket as well. In true Friends fashion, some nice moving functions have been included, including entry into the airlock.
There's plenty for our astronauts to do, from the Mars rover and the drone, to the lab in the rocket module, to the personal space and vegetable garden. I do wish the lab portion of the set had the same real estate size as the other areas. However, I like the emphasis on the food and personal space for the astronauts, which I don't think is highlighted in other themes.
The back of the box shows that more than one theme has featured the interlock system for Space (City and Technic as well as Friends), so a larger space station can be built. There's a QR code that goes to this link. It's great that Friends is included, but I'm a little disappointed in the LEGO marketing team that shows that the Technic team can add a robot garage, and the City team can add a spinning crane, but the Friends team can add......a space nap room? There's so much more going on with this set than napping, and it's unfortunate that doesn't get higher billing.
My quibble with the marketing team aside, I think this is a great set. For the price (981 pieces, £79.99 / $79.99 / €89.99), I think it's reasonable as well.
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54 comments on this article
Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors.
Good review!
That actually IS Nova on the video monitor, you can see the other end of that call in 42603 !
Jones the space cat? Glad we're making connections to the movie Alien!
Is the cat seriously named Jones? That really, really does not bode well for the mission.
@chrisaw said:
"Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors."
Now both City and Friends will be even more useful in SW/Marvel/DC MOC's.
Arr these aliens related to the ones on 2024 CITY sets?
It's kinda interesting that this Friends set has the same interlocking module system that the City Space sets do. Can't expect the minifigures to have all the fun!
When I click on the front page image, instead of enlarging, I get this error message:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied.
@PurpleDave said:
"When I click on the front page image, instead of enlarging, I get this error message:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied."
Same for me too.
Would the proper term be slothstronauts?
The workstation shows an image of a tardigrade, aka a “water bear” or “moss piglet”. They are perhaps the most durable life form known to humankind, being capable of surviving exposure to extreme pressures, or the hard vacuum of space, and NASA has performed scientific experiments with them in the past. Someone clearly did some research when designing the stickers.
On the other hand, that rotating restroom is so narrow that minidolls don’t appear to be able to sit down on what looks like a gravity-operated toilet. I think I’ll take my chances with a space-cat named Jones.
Since the alien in this set was in a meteorite, I think it’s save to asume that it came from the same planet the City guys are exploring. Which means Friends and City take place in the same universe.
What skin colour is Aveline using?
@Lordmoral said:
"Arr these aliens related to the ones on 2024 CITY sets?"
Yup, it's the exact same alien as in 60429. :)
@Garyslaw: I believe Avaline is using Dark Brown, which might be the first time I've ever seen that color used as a skin tone.
Once friends start going to space you know the designers are out of ideas. :)
Those "orange" (I can't believe you didn't mention the new reddish-orange color!) airlock pieces look the same as the ones from 2019 and 2022 City space sets.
@starkllr said:
"Is the cat seriously named Jones? That really, really does not bode well for the mission."
If Doctor Who has taught me anything about Mars:
- stay about from anything pyramid shaped
- stay away from caves (they are potential Ice Warrior tombs)
- Whatever you do, DO NOT DRINK / TOUCH THE WATER! This includes anything grown in said water. This probably means the food in this set is contaminated. Olivia and Jones will most likely be the only survivors. (sorry sloths!)
- If anyone touches water, Nuke the site... it's the only way to be sure.
My 8 year old daughter wants "everything except the actual build" so... just the cat the alien and the friends lol
@chrisaw said:
"Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors."
I almost wish there was more Friends sets to match the module system, since City has the lion's share of space stuff. However, that is really neat that both themes are so committed to space (I see there is also a Friends set dedicated to stargazing).
I wish this was a more normal thing and we could see LEGO do crossover tributes to past themes more often (Pirates, Castle, Trains, Western, etc. would all be fun to play with in a similar style and would be more interesting than being locked as GWP. I am not sure if something like Bionicle could translate to this crossover thing but I can dream, right?) however, I suspect that the reason LEGO is doing space now is due to the aim for Artemis II to launch this year and LEGO wants to cash in on the fresh Moon-mania while it can. Regardless, I am glad that both Friends and City are getting wonderful sets that are well designed, playful and fun.
@Lyichir said:
"Good review!
That actually IS Nova on the video monitor, you can see the other end of that call in 42603 !"
I guess I needed to go with my first instinct.....I obviously haven't opened 42603 yet!
Friends is going to have another great year.
The price is just ridiculously inflated with tons of 1x1 smallest pieces. This is not 50% of the fun and size of 10243 which was 160€ afaik.
I love it!
We don't get a lot of space bases anymore, and of all the bases modular ground bases have been rare! I like how it's substantial but not moreso than it needs to be. The observation deck actually allows you to imagine a much larger interior than it could reasonally provide if it was fully enclosed.
Oh, and the trans-purple reminds me of some of the better sets from TLM2
Great set!
@IgelCampus said:
"The price is just ridiculously inflated with tons of 1x1 smallest pieces. This is not 50% of the fun and size of 10243 which was 160€ afaik.
"
There's not THAT many tiny parts in this set and there are some fairly large ones as well, like the domed windows or the large sloped circles used for the mars landscape. Your price comparison to the Parisian Restaurant is probably more skewed by a decade's worth of inflation adjustments than by any particular aspect of this set's design.
@IgelCampus said:
"The price is just ridiculously inflated with tons of 1x1 smallest pieces. This is not 50% of the fun and size of 10243 which was 160€ afaik.
"
And how many years ago was that?
Not to mention the quarter domes, windshield, quarter circle wedges and other large parts here.
“I like the emphasis on the food and personal space for the astronauts, which I don't think is highlighted in other themes.”
60350 Lunar Research Base has a garden and beds. The two sets are very similar in many regards, almost as if this one is a Friends-ified version of 60350. Thanks for the review!
Even when including inflation the price is just way too high compared to any modular building for what you get in terms of size and building experience. Those larger parts are no explanation either as the price has nothing to do with material costs.
@Be_hapi said:
"Once friends start going to space you know the designers are out of ideas. :)"
So…20 months ago with 41713?
@zipper said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"When I click on the front page image, instead of enlarging, I get this error message:
403 - Forbidden: Access is denied.
You do not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials that you supplied."
Same for me too."
Works now. I’m wondering if this is a security feature of the site, where images and articles have to be approved for public release, so reviews can be preloaded but inaccessible until the embargo date has passed. If so, that’s good thinking. Back when I ran MaskofDestiny.com, I preloaded some inconsequential articles, with the intention of releasing one per day, and someone happened to go digging around during that timespan and stumbled on either the images or the articles (both of which were assigned file numbers sequentially). I only recall getting sent one Bionicle set to review (and most of the first wave of Galidor, which sits unopened in a box to this day), as they were probably just testing the waters at the time. It would have been disastrous if someone managed to dig up a pre-loaded review before the embargo was lifted.
First...Excellent review.
Mostly" YES...the SLOTHS!
@chrisaw said:
"Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors."
I always do.
All parts are SPACE parts.
Space toilet SPACE TOILET SPACE TOILET!!!!
@Garyslaw said:
"Since the alien in this set was in a meteorite, I think it’s save to asume that it came from the same planet the City guys are exploring. Which means Friends and City take place in the same universe."
60349 appears on a monitor in 41713, so that's no surprise.
Have no idea why the big Space push this coming year, but I sure love it! What a fun set, too, with so many great features.
@Garyslaw said:
"Since the alien in this set was in a meteorite, I think it’s save to asume that it came from the same planet the City guys are exploring. Which means Friends and City take place in the same universe."
Yes we know that from one of train sets!
This set is SO well priced. I was ok with the price when I saw the fron and THEN I SAW it has like it has a whole back???
@lordofdragonss said:
" @Garyslaw said:
"Since the alien in this set was in a meteorite, I think it’s save to asume that it came from the same planet the City guys are exploring. Which means Friends and City take place in the same universe."
Yes we know that from one of train sets!"
And airport destination stickers in both Friends and City showing HLC (Heartlake City) and LCI (LEGO City International) , in 41429: Heartlake City Airplane and 60262: Passenger Airplane
And now... Sloths! in! Space!
Sloths not included... Oops!
Thanks for the thorough review.
The set looked great, but now I know about the cool details.
Friends in Spaaaace
This base can be 'Classic Space-ified' fairly easily:
All purple parts on the base: bright blue (light blueish grey would do but it would be bland)
All purple parts on the spacecraft: light blueish grey
All violet parts on the base: dark blueish grey
All windows everywhere: when possible trans-yellow or trans-green. that's the most difficult part to do.
Nice concept (I mean Space across different themes), nice set and great review.
Seems to be designed to allow people who want bigger base with 4 corners, to be easily made from 2 sets, I think having the back open is a fair design, as otherwise Friends just turns into a theme with way too many sets over €150, and it already has a bunch (+ the €200 exclusive mansion)
With the coffee maker, cutting board and place to put the pan, this looks to have a bigger "kitchen" then 42639 : Andrea's Modern Mansion (altho you could use imagination those cupboards have a dishwasher/cooler/freezer behind them (altho not able to open them)
@chrisaw said:
"Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors."
Fingers crossed for a space themed summer Ninjago wave.
Judging by Nova's video call, her latest scheme has to do with drones, and her influence has spread to space. I'm not sure what the line graph is for, it looks like some operation was unsustainable. On the sticker in the other set Olivia does not look happy at all, as if Nova has told her she "is no longer of use." It's quite the twist that Olivia appears to have ultimately used her genius for evil (or was somehow coerced to work for Nova.) But one thing is for sure, Nova's influence has extended into space, quite the terrible accomplishment!
@ra226 said:
"Have no idea why the big Space push this coming year…"
Might have something to do with the Artemis program. Artemis I launched just over a year ago. Artemis II is supposed to slingshot a crewed capsule around the moon in about a year. Artemis III is then supposed to land a crew on the moon for the first time in over 50 years in 2025. 2028 is when they hope to have a space station orbiting the moon, with Artemis IV docking to transfer crew over to power it up, and then making a second landing.
@ra226 said:
"Have no idea why the big Space push this coming year, but I sure love it! What a fun set, too, with so many great features."
Because our planet is doomed. It's go time!
Happy New Year!!
@SearchlightRG said:
" @chrisaw said:
"Who had Space down on their bingo card for bringing together the Lego-verse in 2024?
Pretty ingenious that the different themes can be combined using the same connectors."
Fingers crossed for a space themed summer Ninjago wave."
And for some Icons tie-ins as well!!
I'm liking the tardigrades & the cat's name
The Friends space sets are popular in my household so this one is likely to end up being bought at some point
@WemWem said:
"Space toilet SPACE TOILET SPACE TOILET!!!!"
Well, if we're going down the literal toilet humour path, this is presumably so they can take a spaceshi... Spaceshi... SPACESHI...!
This set does seem quite interesting, but I feel it's a bit pricey for me. I suspect part of that is due to the larger clear/translucent parts used. The use of the same bodies for two of the characters (and same body shape for all three) to me seems to definitely be to represent the bulkier, shapeless nature of the suits but I also suspect it's a simplification for ease of building. However, the helmets/SCBA apparatus doesn't seem to fit the minidolls too well and looks a bit off to me.
I'm glad to see a few Technic parts/mechanisms included, but I can't help but feel that whenever Friends includes anything like that it's overly simple. That pretty much sums up my feeling about this set, it feels simple. The play features are minor and trivial beyond the different ways you can arrange the base.
Growing vegetables on Mars and not a single potato? Andy Weir would be disappointed.
I absolutely want that Space Cat! Even NASA is fooling around with 4K cat videos. :))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWa7WWA8YsE
Love this kit.
Who doesn't want that astro-kitty? Must get!
This looks good enough to overcome my dislike of minidolls! Probably will get this. Together with all the space city and technic sets.
Ive been looking at the 60431 rover, and it appears to allow for minidolls to sit in the cockpit as an alternative to minifigures. Worlds Collide!
It looks like friends has become revised version of the old Lego concept for play and fun. The original Lego concept seems to evolved in a investment vehicle with expensive sets for nostalgia and the good stuff like small sets as unbuyable and hidden as GWP.