Swamp Police

60066 Swamp Police Starter Set

Review by: Aaron Sketchley Reviewed on: 2016.03.28 Construction: 4.0 Parts Value: 3.5 Play Value: 1.0 X-factor: 4.5 Overall: 13.0 Set release date: 2015 top Lego index

An excellent starter set, with a surprisingly high amount of fun parts. When deciding on whether to get this set or not, it was the chance to get the Lego alligator that was the main deciding factor. However, I've found the air boat and raft to be good, fun additions to the display collection - there's just something fun about it. The surprises in the set were the Lego spider, snake, and above all else, BEARDS. My set had an extra beard, so the boat riding Minifigure is now Detective Neck Beard. There are a smattering of other fun, useful tools included in the set, as well. The only drawback to the set was that I found the raft and the beards to be a bit fiddly to assemble. Otherwise, it's a great, fun set to start or add to a Lego collection.

Undersea

60090 Deep Sea Scuba Scooter

Review by: Aaron Sketchley Reviewed on: 2016.03.28 Construction: 3.5 Parts Value: 4.5 Play Value: 1.0 X-factor: 3.0 Overall: 12.0 Set release date: 2015 top Lego index

A very basic starter set that has some nice features - specifically an octopus, and a pair of spear guns! The scuba scooter is basic, but it also has a surprising amount of moving parts in it. I am really impressed with how the designers replicated arms on submersibles with a minimum of parts. The engine pods are also highly reminiscent of the engine pods on the classic space Lego sets. Nevertheless, this is a good set for either starting, or rounding out one's Lego City Undersea sets.

60092 Deep Sea Submarine

Review by: Aaron Sketchley Reviewed on: 2016.04.02 Construction: 3.0 Parts Value: 5.0 Play Value: 1.0 X-factor: 3.5 Overall: 12.5 Set release date: 2015 top Lego index

The Deep Sea Submarine is a great set, with a plethora of not so common parts. The undersea rock formation adds a nice dimension and greatly increases the play value. Highlights of the set are the treasure chest, shark, and the pieces that form the pontoons on the bottom of the submarine. Some of the parts were extremely fiddly to assemble or continually popped off (rubber hoses) until they adjusted to their new shape. This may be a source of frustration for younger enthusiasts. Alas, the set didn't hold the kids attention for long after initially getting it. In fact, I've used parts from this set to lengthen the nose/cockpit section of the Lego Utility Shuttle (60078) and give it a booster rocket sled. The unique parts included in this set give it great play mileage. However, the whale bones part of the set feels a little incomplete - adding a little but more to finish off the free end may help.

Space

60077 Space Starter Set

Review by: Aaron Sketchley Reviewed on: 2016.04.02 Construction: 4.0 Parts Value: 2.0 Play Value: 1.5 X-factor: 1.0 Overall: 8.5 Set release date: 2015 top Lego index

The highlight of the Space Starter Set has to be the jet pack equipped astronaut. The set has some parts that have a tendency to separate while in storage (namely the camera and lights). But aside from that, it's a straightforward build with few, if any, difficult sections for younger enthusiasts. The moon buggy is a nicely balanced vehicle, and the traction testing computer terminal is an excellent addition to any Lego collection (with or without the terrain piece). The workman Minifigure is a very good addition to the set, as he is generic enough to be employed in a variety of play activities. My two daughters also love the scientist Minifigure. Her addition to the set almost makes it a must have for anyone with young girls interested in Lego. Overall, it's a great expansion to any Lego space collection you have, but as a starter set, it just doesn't quite provide enough play inspiration on its own.

60078 Utility Shuttle

Review by: Aaron Sketchley Reviewed on: 2016.04.02 Construction: 4.5 Parts Value: 5.0 Play Value: 3.5 X-factor: 5.0 Overall: 18 Set release date: 2015 top Lego index

Construction is smooth, with only a few parts that are tricky. The set has quite a few unique or rare parts. Given that you get a pair of astronauts with the Utility Shuttle, as well as a satellite in the set, it is more than worth it to pick it up. The only minor drawback is that you have to open or remove the entire upper fuselage to get access to the Minifigures seated inside! The set looks like a cross between the American Space Shuttle and some of the concepts for a crew return vehicle for the International Space Station. I personally prefer the classic lines of the Space Shuttle, and achieved that by extending the nose by 4 studs with parts from the Deep Sea Submarine. Combined with a rocket booster sled made from the pontoons from that set, I've got a pretty decent shuttle that mimics the launch-to-landing cycle of the real thing! Alas, the pontoon-boosters are only about half as long as the shuttle is. Not that the kids mind. The set has some pretty solid play endurance. It's not always coming out of the Lego box, but it does come out at fairly regular intervals. It's also another set that's fun for more mature Lego enthusiasts to whoosh around.