Review: 60432 Command Rover and Crane Loader
Posted by CapnRex101,60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life has drawn almost unanimous praise, thanks to the model's attractive shape and clever suspension mechanisms. For that reason, I doubt whether the bulkier 60432 Command Rover and Crane Loader can better the smaller vehicle.
That being said, the command rover looks imposing and includes much more internal space than the aforementioned explorer rover. The vehicle's wide base and eight wheels also seem appealing, giving the whole model the appearance of enormous power.
Summary
60432 Command Rover and Crane Loader, 758 pieces.
£59.99 / $84.99 / €69.99 | 7.9p/11.2c/9.2c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
I am pleased with the command rover, but its smaller counterpart is better in some ways
- Distinctive and powerful shape
- Generous space for minifigures
- Clever modular system between Space sets
- Unique alien terrain
- No suspension mechanism
- Overshadowed by a smaller set
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Four astronauts are included, sporting colour-coded uniforms. These two characters wear dark azure helmets with matching sleeves, identifying them as the drivers of the command rover. As mentioned in earlier reviews of these Space sets, I appreciate the consistent minifigure designs across the range, as well as the vibrancy of the colours selected.
The dual-moulded helmets look brilliant too and I like the trans-clear visors, even though they sometimes distort the minifigures' faces, as you can see with the female astronaut above! The dark blue, sand blue and metallic gold designs on the torso and legs are also attractive, shared by nearly all the astronauts within this subtheme.
Both astronauts are found in other Space sets and the female character is particularly notable for her hearing aid. In addition, the drivers are equipped with jetpacks and their moulded detail looks outstanding, alongside a stud for customisation. A printed computer screen is provided as well, perhaps serving as a scanner of some kind, based on the graphic.
Bright green and flame yellowish orange-suited astronauts are also supplied. These uniforms seem to represent science and engineering or mining specialisms, based on their use in each set. Regardless, both look excellent and wear distinctive helmets, as the scientist's headgear is borrowed from the NEXO Knights theme, while the engineer's bigger helmet is entirely new.
A new chest armour component has also been developed for the engineer, matching the large helmet and prominently displaying a modern iteration of the Classic Space emblem. A pair of articulated arms are mounted on the back, with a stickered curved slope finishing the design. Similarly, the scientist wears a harness with a printed solar panel on the back.
These backpack accessories really make the astronauts' suits seem bulky, which works well, especially in contrast with the outwardly light garb worn by the drivers. Moreover, a couple of handheld items are included, as the scientist comes with a brick-built scanning device and the engineer carries a pearl silver wrench.
A robot accompanies the team, including a dark azure 1x1 round tile on top and thus matching the drivers. I like its round body and trans-light blue eye, as well as the printed battery attached to the robot's back, although this battery lacks the usual trans-opalescent purple 1x1 round brick behind the printed tile.
I find the robot's stance rather awkward because its feet are planted in front of the body, which sometimes causes the figure to tip backwards. This is particularly problematic when posing the robot, since it cannot stand on one leg unless attached to a studded surface. Nonetheless, I am glad the robot is included.
The Completed Model
LEGO has established a strong aesthetic between the new Space vehicles and the command rover looks marvellous. I love its squat silhouette, as the cockpit and passenger cabins appear relatively flat from the outside, while the eight wheels seem capable of rumbling over any terrain with ease. The white, sand blue and reddish orange colours are appealing too, again matching the other vehicles.
However, the command rover is smaller than I anticipated. As mentioned, it looks imposing on its own and measures almost 30cm in length, although its visual presence is not much greater than 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life. On that basis, I think they look strange when displayed together, as both vehicles seem as though they could perform similar roles.
Nevertheless, the bigger rover is impressive and the shape across the front looks fantastic, in particular. I love the use of a Technic angular wheel arch and the light clusters underneath are effective, flanking an asymmetrical tiled pattern. The transition between the wheel arch and the base of the rover could be better though, had the bodywork continued towards the lights.
The wheel arch and the white plates around the cockpit do not match perfectly either, so gaps are visible between them. The sides of the bodywork look superb though, leaving lots of space for the wheels. I like the tread pattern on these plastic wheels and the pattern on the tiles inside each wheel is attractive, but I find it odd that the 2x4 rounded tiles turn with the wheels, rather than remaining static.
I like the trans-black 6x6 windscreen, preserving the command rover's squat appearance and slotting neatly between a pair of 2x10x2 shells. In addition, the interior is fairly spacious. There are stickered control panels on either side of the cockpit, while light bluish grey handlebars form the steering wheel, which feels appropriately large to control the rover.
The handheld holographic screen can also be attached to a clip beside the steering wheel, so both drivers are occupied. There is ample room for both minifigures to sit side by side and you could seat two more behind them, or perhaps have an officer standing in the middle, as though supervising. With careful posing, the roof closes even with an astronaut standing inside.
A laboratory is located behind the cockpit and accessed by lifting the curved panel on top. The trans-black roof looks good and opens smoothly on hinges, but there is surprisingly little detail within, between a trans-opalescent purple crystal and a printed computer. Even a few clips for storing accessories would have been useful, although the sparse interior provides more space for figures.
Hazard stripe stickers are applied on the exterior and the conduits underneath the laboratory provide some detail too, occupying a gap between the wheels. Even though there is plenty of clearance around the wheels, the rover lacks working suspension. I find this very disappointing because there certainly seems to be room for a basic tilting mechanism, at minimum.
However, I like how mech body pieces are integrated on each side, serving as battery covers. The battery packs look great and include printed tiles on top, alongside 1x2 clamps. Based on official images, it seems the rover's crane is supposed to lift the battery packs using the clamps, but attempting that tends to tear the 1x2 clamps off, instead of moving the battery assemblies.
Twisting the 2x2 truncated domes on both sides of the rover lifts the laboratory module slightly for easy removal. This module is compatible with others found in 42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket, 60433 Modular Space Station and 60434 Space Base and Rocket Launchpad, so they can be swapped between vehicles, which is a brilliant feature. For example, you could replace the rover's laboratory with the dormitory from the space station.
There is no door between the interior and the rear platform, unfortunately, but that leaves room for a couple of clips and lights. Furthermore, there is plenty of space for figures on the platform, but no control station for the crane, which is disappointing. Despite that strange omission, I like the reddish orange barriers flanking the platform.
In addition, the crane's articulation is interesting. The base is connected to a Technic pin in the middle of the platform, so it can move towards the back of the rover or either side, reaching for cargo anywhere around the vehicle. The articulated arm is barely long enough to hook items on the ground though. Also, there is a stickered tile beneath the crane, without any clear purpose.
Two storage boxes are found on the back, but these are not really accessible for minifigures in this location and they are too small for most of the supplied accessories. Nevertheless, storage is always useful and the back of the rover looks good, thanks in particular to the row of trans-red plates above the containers.
A piece of the alien landscape completes this set, featuring some exotic plant life and another crystal. The lavender carrots and black tendrils stand out clearly against the earthy terrain and provide plenty to interest the astronauts, while the trans-purple bricks around the rocks indicate something more to be discovered.
Pressing a Technic axle on the back of this rock formation collapses the wall, revealing a huge crystal inside. We know the trans-opalescent purple crystals can be used for generating power, but I wonder whether this trans-pink crystal relates to the surrounding concentration of plant life. Two aliens are also included, taking an interest in the crystal, or the astronauts' research!
Overall
In many ways, 60432 Command Rover and Crane Loader is an enjoyable set. I think the rover looks impressive and there is ample space for play inside, while the functions included are fun too. However, I cannot escape the unflattering comparisons with 60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life, which is comparable in size and provides better functionality, but costs less than half the price!
With that in mind, the price of £59.99, $84.99 or €69.99 feels rather expensive, although this is partly because the smaller rover provides excellent value. Ultimately, I think the issues with this set are more conceptual than anything else. Producing two similar vehicles within one wave was bound to cause problems, so I think the command rover should have been a significantly larger set, with detachable vehicles and more removable modules.
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49 comments on this article
By giving it a suspension and bringing it up a few studs in height, it would change it's look and feel compared to the smaller rover from 60431
You may want to buy a few more of those shock absorbers and give it a try. Would love to see it being modded this way. Put steering in, while you are it. :D
@Zink said:
"I think it's a big missed opportunity to not have these modules have some way to attach to a hook. This way, they would be way more relevant in play. Move them from the space station with your ship to the planet surface. Then with the rover to the Space Base. There you attach the module to the base and make it larger and more complex. This is why this theme should also include T-section modules with more than just 2 air-locks."
THIS LEGO, read this! I Couldn't agree more.
Maybe the Command Rover is in need of bigger wheels/tires than the Space Explorer Rover to look more imposing.
Good idea but this set feels unfinished.
The robot doesn't half look like Atlas, from Portal 2. In which case, this isn't City Space - it's City SPAAAAAAAACE.
Which kind of works for me.
I like big and bulky rovers, so from the first look I like this set. Two nice things: a cockpit that opens and a crane to do something other than riding around. A quite big crew too. However, I see some imperfections: the crane seems to be a segment too short, there is no obvious way for the crew to climb on top ( 60431 has the same problem), the engineer's suit arms are rather unable to reach far enough to manipulate something.
I don't care what anyone says. I'm excited for this set and no one can take that away from me!
I'm disappointed with the lack of suspension. I was expecting a vehicle with the sort of movement of the classic 6950-1 ("with go anywhere wheel bogies" as I recall). This feels like a vehicle designed for straingt-line travel only.
I really enjoy the set, myself. I've designated the larger vehicle as a mobile research station, while the smaller rover is more for long-distance exploration.
My biggest gripe with the set is that there is no place to store the robot.
I love this set, all the new Space sets in fact. But I agree that it needed to be more imposing. Working suspension and the wheels from the iconic 6989 would have helped. You could even call it a remake of the 6989 if this happened. Too bad the extra large wheels were retired.
Both rovers remind me of the BIG TRAK, especially the white big trak released in the UK. I wonder if that served at all as inspiration…
The smaller rover looks like it’s designed for speed, and probably serves as a scout vehicle. The larger one would likely rely on the findings of the smaller rover to plot a safe path, and therefore wouldn’t require as sophisticated a suspension system since it’s not going anywhere that hasn’t already been mapped. And if the reach a place where it’s likely to get stuck, Mr. Yellow is probably along to knock down any minor obstructions, or help the river regain traction. Much of the vehicle is devoted to tasks other than simply driving around, so giving it a comparable suspension system would make it enormous.
The smaller rover, being primarily used for charting the landscape, needs to be able to get itself out of trouble, because it won’t be immediately obvious if a path is “fairly safe”, or “deceptively dangerous”, or “worth the hassle”. The bulk of the vehicle would need to be dedicated to driving over dangerous terrain, and there wouldn’t be much devoted to anything besides driving and mapping. It would also need to be lightweight, to assist in freeing it when it gets stuck, to make it less likely to get in trouble to begin with, and to minimize usage of resources as it will be regularly on the move. The larger rover would need to take the most efficient path possible so it’s not just constantly putting them in energy debt.
Nice review. I appreciate that you've lined up the logos on the transparent tiles :)
The thing about Classic Space rovers is that many of them had enormous thrusters on them. This functionality was completely left to the end user’s imagination.
I like these sets, but you can never go wrong with a little technological whimsy.
This set somehow gives me vibes of the mega core magnetizer, apart from its colour scheme of course and it has 2 additional wheels.
No suspension is not a problem to me because the smaller rover does it quite well. In my opinion they should have installed some kind of steering instead.
Other then that, its a fine set.
Assuming one wants to put suspension on this set: there is plenty of space underneath the rover to do independent suspension on all 8 wheels. Considering that a Lego shock absorber is roughly USD$1.30 you can see that the price goes up quickly. To that you will have to add a few other bits to attach them as well as all the swinging arms.
For steering: there is also room for 8 wheels steering (Ackermann might be possible) but not with suspension unless you want to raise the rover by several studs. I would assume this would nearly double the number of parts of this set (steering ans suspension together - but then you have a Technic set with a city cover on top). Doing a wheel loader type of steering would be even more complicated. The steering part would be extremely easy but making the stuff on top coherent with the bottom would be next to impossible.
I think the issue with these sets is: the wheels on 60431 are too big (when you look at it, there is more wheel than there is rover) and since they (the wheels) are the same size as 60432 they (the sets) pretty much look like the same thing. I like the shape of 60432 but (1) nothing to use the crane on and (2) crane not reaching the ground is a big no-no. To me, so far, I will only get 60430 . And besides, the suits are all wrong for spacemen!
This rover looks like an infantry vehicle from the G.I.Joe toys lineup.
Looks like one of those 8 wheel rovers from Prometheus movie .
I would likely remove the crane and module and try to make a cargo bay on this vehicle instead, perhaps with a ramp (8x16 extendable tile like Galaxy Explorer)
I do like big rovers, especially something like 70322 : Axl's Tower Carrier and 70321: General Magmar's Siege Machine of Doom were 2 great 2016 sets (8 years old, time went quick) but I miss functions a little bit on this one, but still, there's a lot of modifcation to work with (no complex suspension means more room for modifications)
I'm not planning to get this set, but if I did, I'd pose the robot leaning slightly forward, to counteract the back-heaviness. "Based on official images, it seems the rover's crane is supposed to lift the battery packs using the clamps, but attempting that tends to tear the 1x2 clamps off, instead of moving the battery assemblies." Again, If I had this set, I'd probably unseat the packs at least slightly abd justify it as 'releasing the battery's moorings" or something like that. After all, car batteries have something holding them in place that has to be released before removal, and this is obviously supposed to be much more advanced than even the most high-tech vehicle on today's roads.
@TeriXeri said:
"Looks like one of those 8 wheel rovers from Prometheus movie ."
Oh, you mean "Dude, Don't Touch That: The Movie?"
@MutoidMan said:
"Both rovers remind me of the BIG TRAK ..."
I thought exactly the same thing
It would be great to see someone motorise these, and maybe add Mindstorms or Pybricks to it, to recreate the Big Trak functions. In fact I might have a go myself
@MutoidMan said:
"Both rovers remind me of the BIG TRAK, especially the white big trak released in the UK. I wonder if that served at all as inspiration…"
I so wanted the Big Trak when I was a kid. Nowadays, you could do something significantly more powerful with just a Raspberry Pi pico or Arduino nano.
@RUL said:
"This rover looks like an infantry vehicle from the G.I.Joe toys lineup."
The APC, Desert Fox 6 W.D., and Rolling Thunder all come to mind.
They couldn't incorporate simple suspension like that of 6950 ?
@HOBBES said:
" @MutoidMan said:
"Both rovers remind me of the BIG TRAK, especially the white big trak released in the UK. I wonder if that served at all as inspiration…"
I so wanted the Big Trak when I was a kid. Nowadays, you could do something significantly more powerful with just a Raspberry Pi pico or Arduino nano. "
I had the BIG TRAK and the TRANSPORT. Mostly, it saw action breaking through walls built from wood American Bricks; grinding enemy action figures under its wheels; incinerating the opposition with its laser; and hauling away enemy treasure and weapons. Good times!
@HOBBES:
Uniform color-coding changed between ST:TOS and ST:TNG. Besides, I've heard three completely different explanations for how the first two colors worked, two conflicting explanations for how the other three vintage colors worked, and the only explanation for green doesn't even fit with the vintage line of sets.
@TheOtherMike:
I must say, that's probably the best alternate title I've seen for a movie since reading a Batman Begins review that said they called it that because something like "Batman: The Last Movie Was So Terrible We Had To Start Over" was too long a title. Someone who was temping with my employer had a different issue, and even a whispered mention of the film in his earshot would result in complaints about the fact that they first thing they do is take off their helmets. I mean, it's not like it helped in the first film, but there's a degree of incompetence where you just start seeing their inevitable deaths as a service done to the gene pool.
@PurpleDave: Talking about Batman Begins, I remember joking that they should name the first sequel Batman Continues and the second sequel Batman Ends. And then Bruce Wayne hung up the cowl for good in the third movie!
@TheOtherMike:
Nah, but I would have been all over naming the a certain upcoming film "Deadpool Kills the MCU".
@PurpleDave: Is that out of love for Deadpool, disdain for the MCU, or both?
@TheOtherMike said:
" @PurpleDave: Is that out of love for Deadpool, disdain for the MCU, or both?"
Shh, shh, shh, don’t fight it. Just…let it happen.
Is this the prequel to Galaxy Squad?
@phi13 said:
"Is this the prequel to Galaxy Squad?"
Doubtful. Galaxy Squad appears to be a prequel, or sequel, to Dune. Everyone’s from House Atreides, and they’ve got stillsuit masks. These guys have the Classic Space logo, and indeed appear to have the spacecraft that’s depicted by the logo. Something like the Star Trek: Enterprise of Classic Space, with more refined technology that somehow turns to pie tins and paper towel tubes in the far off future.
Really nicely designed looking vehicle. …LEGO making some bangers. …Now all we need is a legit spooky looking LEGO Xenomorph to have gnaw into these vehicles.
@quincy said:
"Really nicely designed looking vehicle. …LEGO making some bangers. …Now all we need is a legit spooky looking LEGO Xenomorph to have gnaw into these vehicles. "
There are at least a few different brickbuilt Xenomorph designs floating around, but I doubt many (any?) would pass muster for an official LEGO set. Somewhere (and I’ve kinda lost track of it, since I don’t think I’ve displayed it since John Hurt passed away), I’ve got one that I either directly copied or modified from someone else’s design, plus an astronaut minifig with a brickbuilt chestburster emerging from his torso.
I love the shape of this thing. Nicely broad an' wide yet flat with some big tires. One of my favorite vehicle archetypes.
Looks like a MAKO from ME.
It reminds me of the rover from the classic video game Moon Patrol.
…but without the springy wheel action
@AllenSmith said:
"It reminds me of the rover from the classic video game Moon Patrol.
…but without the springy wheel action"
60431 reminded me of Moon Patrol, as did 6933 Spectral Starguider.
I love those Space wheels. I don't know why Lego insists on using them "inside out". They've got the tread continuing onto the sides, resembling spokes, but so many sets turn them around and then use a lot of parts to build hubs/rims/whatever. This set uses eight parts per wheel to add detail. They could have used the parts budget to give it suspension, steering, or both.
Hmm...no, think I still like the the smaller rover (Green alligators, and long-necked geese...sorry, reflex:))...buuuut, I do have a want/need to have that robot do a song/dance number...either "Michigan Rag" or "Puttin' on the Ritz"...What?:D
No words.
@brick_r:
“Love is the only thing that can save this poor creature, and I am going to convince him that he is loved even at the cost of my own life. No matter what you hear in there, no matter how cruelly I beg you, no matter how terribly I may scream, do not open this door or you will undo everything I have worked for. Do you understand? Do not open this door.”
@PurpleDave: Ah yes...Young Frankensteen...:D...you forgot 'the punchline', but Brickset would probably take issue w/ some of the words/phrasing...let's continue the "fun":
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [to Igor] Now that brain that you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck's?
Igor: [pause, then] No.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I DID put in?
Igor: Then you won't be angry?
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: I will NOT be angry.
Igor: Abby someone.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby someone. Abby who?
Igor: Abby... Normal.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [pause, then] Abby Normal?
Igor: I'm almost sure that was the name.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: [chuckles, then] Are you saying that I put an abnormal brain into a seven and a half foot long, fifty-four inch wide GORILLA?
[grabs Igor and starts throttling him]
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein: Is that what you're telling me?
Ah, anybody that hates Mel Brooks...:)
@brick_r:
I mean...that's why this robot made you think of Puttin' on the Ritz, yes? The answer is yes. Lie, if you have to.
@PurpleDave: Well....you're not completely wrong, that movie was a factor; along with 'Michigan J. Frog', and even "The Golden Child". "Michigan" is probably because of his upper-body, being bigger than his lower. But 'Golden Child' also had a 'Ritz' moment; when the title character, while captured created a small 'puppet' creature form a can; and proceeds to make it dance around (without touching, so stop-motion) all to an orchestral "Putting on the Ritz". I think the the robot reminds me of that, at least from the side.
Plus, see that second shot of it...come on, that doesn't have a tune in its head; an alga-rhythm if you will...:D
@brick_r said:
"Plus, see that second shot of it...come on, that doesn't have a tune in its head; an alga-rhythm if you will...:D "
I sea what you did there.
I like the modular capsule. But, the lack of a crane attachment for the modules is just a bizarrely stupid choice that limits the key play features of this set and the others.
The lack of the crane's reach is likewise mystifying. Suspension absence is similarly poor. The smaller one is much better.
Dang, this entire Space line is lit.
I purchased this entire line last Friday to qualify for Space Babies/Not Space Babies GWP and have built all of the sets. They are all fantastic! LEGO really nailed it on all of the sets but this one the least of the 8 sets. The price is way too high though you do get a long/large sized vehicle in the end. The figs look great and the aliens are just cool enough to want a bunch of. The tiny robots are truly are some of my favorite aspects of these sets and I want to MOC landscapes and smaller vehicles to go along with the extra printed battery tiles.
I like it but the inclusion of the crane on this set along with the big one 60434 makes it feel like you are supposed to load up on many copies of the 4+ set just to have something for your cranes to do. I like this theme so I might just do that, but for many folk who are buying just a few sets it is sad to see these not be as complete as they could be.
4 axes and neither suspension nor steering? Feels like a cheap 80s sandbox toy. 6989 is a vast improvement over this. It is 34 years old.