Review: 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life

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LEGO has favoured more realistic space rovers recently, although 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life evidently takes a more outlandish approach to the idea. The result looks fantastic in official images and includes some ingenious functions for a model of this size.

Moreover, the price of £24.99, $34.99 or €29.99 seems inexpensive for a set with such exceptional play value. Having already reviewed some wonderful Space sets this month, I get the impression that the space rover could be another.

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Review: 60404 Burger Truck

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It seems LEGO City is being taken to extremes in 2024, between the new Space range and 60404 Burger Truck. This model is definitely distinctive and perhaps less realistic than equivalent trucks produced before, although I find its eye-catching design very appealing.

The burger-shaped structure looks excellent and can be detached to become a separate burger stand, while the actual truck is impressive too. In addition, both minifigures are new and I was surprised to find no stickers required, as any decorated parts are printed!

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Review: 60430 Interstellar Spaceship

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The previous Space subtheme in LEGO City prioritised realism, clearly contrasting with the new range. 60430 Interstellar Spaceship seems like a product of science fiction and looks very sleek, focusing on pure speed over storage or other practical considerations.

I love the angular shape of this vehicle and its proportions, while its central function was a pleasant surprise too. There is even an exclusive minifigure, so this should prove to be another great addition to the Space subtheme.

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Review: 60428 Space Construction Mech

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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.

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Review: 60367 Passenger Airplane

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This review has been written in its entirety by William, aged 8, who's the son of one of my cycling friends. He has previously reviewed Minecraft sets for us but his real passion is building runways and airports in his living room, so he was the natural choice to ask to review the new City plane, 60367 Passenger Airplane.

I was very excited to build and review the airplane, I love airplanes. My first impression when I looked at the box was that it looks so cool. I thought the tail looked a bit funny, but I couldn’t wait to build it. I was really excited that there was a pushback truck as part of the kit. I’ve tried to make one of these before myself, but the one in the kit looks much better than mine.

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Review: 60377 Explorer Diving Boat

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Despite sharing similar colours, 60377 Explorer Diving Boat and 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship are evidently intended for different climates. While the exploration vessel recovers Viking artefacts beyond the Arctic Circle, this boat studies ocean life in warmer waters.

That ocean life is the most interesting aspect of this set, encompassing a new adult sea turtle, alongside a baby turtle and a hammerhead shark and manta ray in unique colours. Given the variety of animals present, plus a treasure chest, there is plenty for the divers to discover.

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Review: 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship

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Arctic and ocean exploration are regular LEGO City subthemes and the two are combined this year. Beyond introducing a fantastic menagerie of animals, this wave features the huge 60368 Arctic Explorer Ship, which is even bigger than 60266 Ocean Exploration Ship!

Of course, the impressive size creates space for ample interior and various functions, as well as storage for three additional vehicles on board, which is brilliant for play. Furthermore, the exclusive killer whale is highly desirable, potentially overshadowing the actual ship.

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Review: 60397 Monster Truck Race

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Today we're looking at 60397 Monster Truck Race, the last of the three City Racer sets that LEGO have released to coincide with their new video game, LEGO 2K Drive. So far we've had two race cars, a boat, an electric SUV, and an off-roader; this set adds two monster trucks to the line-up - one pirate-themed, and one taco-themed!

It's the smallest of the sets at 301 pieces, but the largest is only 362, so there is not much variation; just as well, considering all three are the same price.

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Review: 60395 Combo Race Pack

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LEGO's latest video game is 2K Drive, a vehicle building and racing game, attempting to put a spin on the classic genre by allowing players to build their own LEGO vehicles to race, and modify them as they wish.

Alongside the game, LEGO have branded three City sets with a "Play it in LEGO 2K Drive" badge, indicating that they are physical builds of the vehicles you can find, build, and customise in the game. The first, and largest, of these is 60395 Combo Race Pack, a set of three vehicles with parts that can be mixed and matched to make less traditional racers.

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Review: 60363 Ice-Cream Shop

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LEGO Friends features a variety of characterful buildings and 60363 Ice-Cream Shop presents evident similarities with those sets, which is an appealing prospect. The irregular shape of this structure and its colour scheme definitely recall buildings in Heartlake City.

I welcome this influence from Friends and think the ice cream shop looks good on the whole, particularly because of the bright colours. Also, three interesting minifigures are provided, including the shop's delightful polar bear mascot.

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Review: 60398 Family House and Electric Car

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Houses are notoriously scarce across LEGO City and those available historically have sometimes been rather lacklustre. 60398 Family House and Electric Car seems interesting though, primarily because sets similar to this one are available so infrequently.

Additionally, the modern aesthetic of the house is unusual, combined with a more traditional layout than 60291 Family House. However, this style will not appeal to everyone and I have concerns about the level of detail on the exterior.

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Review: 60362 Car Wash

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Car washes have appeared several times across LEGO City, traditionally in large sets. 60362 Car Wash instead focuses completely on this titular location, so seems to provide good value, while maintaining the excellent functions from bigger sets produced before.

In fact, this car wash captures some details and play features not seen on previous models, which only increases its appeal. Although smaller than the other buildings released this summer, I think this example could be among the best.

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Review: 60376 Arctic Explorer Snowmobile

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LEGO Friends has introduced numerous unique animals and City has followed suited recently as well, including otters, squirrels, various breeds of dog and myriad others. However, providing two new animals in a single inexpensive set is quite unusual!

The presence of adult and baby seals in 60376 Arctic Explorer Snowmobile has therefore attracted considerable interest. These animals look absolutely adorable, although the snowmobile and minifigure must not be overlooked either.

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Review: 60359 Dunk Stunt Ramp Challenge

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LEGO introduced the relatively new City Stuntz range three years ago, with four stunt challenges and six individual motorcycles. Last year, they added five more arenas and three bikes, and have followed up with four more challenges and a couple of bikes. The range shows some impressive creativity both in the motorcycle and rider designs, and the stunt challenges themselves.

LEGO have provided a number of this year's sets for us to take a look at. First up is 60359 Dunk Stunt Ramp Challenge, the smallest stunt set of this year, at 144 pieces.

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Review: 30638 Police Bike Training

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Police are ever-present in LEGO City and these sets are sometimes criticised for their repetition of certain subjects, although these are obviously revisited because they remain popular!

Nevertheless, new approaches to the traditional police vehicles and buildings are enjoyable, with training as the focus this year. 30638 Police Bike Training provides a nice entry to the range.

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Review: 60384 Penguin Slushy Van

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60384 Penguin Slushy Van appears noteworthy among equivalent LEGO City vehicles, which are frequently repetitive. There are familiar features, although the prominent penguin theming more closely resembles Friends creations, rather than those in LEGO City.

I appreciate that cartoonish approach, balanced with more realistic features. The general structure and opening service window, for instance, recall 60253 Ice-Cream Truck. Nevertheless, this vehicle does preserve a unique appearance.

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