Arctic Mobile Exploration Base

So, Lego is something I often give a bit of a pass on regarding price. Lego sets are somewhat pricey, but they have no competitor when it comes to high quality, imaginative construction sets like the one reviewed here. Let's start with the figures: great range of cool outfits (pun intended), and small props (sled, digging equipment, etc). Plus... a mammoth encased in ice! Which you can use a giant saw on to cut through! I mean, if you're a kid, what could be better than that? The four vehicles that can be built are pretty awesome too with smoothly moving parts on all of them. It's easy to look at lego sets and say: Wow, so expensive for just a bunch of blocks, but you really do get more. The instructions are also complete and easy to follow. more less

Great selection of minifigures, a variety of vehicles, and a mammoth! I consider this the best set of the Arctic theme. Assembling a set this size into a long "train" is quite large and impressive. Two minor issues: it is difficult to turn the crane vehicle while rolling because of its length and/or six wheels, and the mobile laboratory lacks stairs or a ladder to the entrance (just use your imagination). Not inexpensive, but I would get this large set instead of multiple smaller sets. more less

In general, you are getting a really nice set in the AMEB. I love the story behind the set, and I love the look of the set. I think this set will inspire young minds to delve deeper into science after playing through some adventures. Getting a mammoth figure is also amazing. Where the AMEB falls flat is value. You are paying A LOT for this kit at $149.99, and you don't get a lot of bricks for that price, or a lot of initial build time. While I do recommend this set, I also recommend waiting for a sale. I think the price point for the AMEB should be about 20% less ($120). At that price, your cost per brick goes down to $0.15, and the build-time ends up being $0.90/minute. In the end, that changes the overall score to 80%. So, the AMEB is certainly worth picking up, but wait for a sale of 20% or more. more less

All things considered, it is difficult to recommend this set at full price. There are definitely some bright spots, but with such a lack of useful parts, the set doesn't offer much for builders. Even though children will likely enjoy this set, it's at a pretty high price point. If you cannot find one on deep discount, I would suggest taking a look at some of the smaller sets in the theme. more less

Despite my quibbles with certain aspects of the star mammoth, I love this set. I've been fascinated by mammoths since I first saw a mammoth skeleton in Hokkaido as a very young child. Where other kids were obsessed with dinosaurs, my extinct fauna of choice was of the Pleistocene variety. The orange, dark blue, and azure elements are great additions to any LEGO collection — I can't wait to take this apart and see if I can build a deep-space research starship from the parts. And the vehicles themselves are full of fun details and play features, including the crane and laboratory in particular. more less