LEGO Icons Artemis Space Launch could have been even more ‘painfully repetitive’

Some LEGO fans who have got their hands on LEGO Icons 10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System have voiced complaints that the build is too repetitive – but it could have been even more so.

At 3,601 pieces, 10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System is certainly a mighty build, something that’s apparent even before you get it out of the box. Not only does it include a detailed brick-built version of the rocket itself, but also the base and tower used to launch it – including layer after layer of grey pieces used to create a lattice-like structure.

‘My thumbs hurt’

Builders who have already got their hands on the set (released just a short while ago on May 15) have taken to reddit to share their views on this lengthy build process, with many saying that only the impressive final build makes up for what’s otherwise a ‘painfully repetitive’ build.

“A big part of a set is building experience,” commented one reddit user. “A set which has both good building experience and other good characteristics is better than one which is necessarily repetitive given the subject matter.”

Of course, not everyone dislikes long build processes, with one commenter adding: “The tower does get repetitive, but I love when you get to the point where all the random half-finished bits on the side of the tower start to come together and make sense. I had so many ‘Aaah, now I get it! That’s so cool!’ moments.”

Others also reasoned that criticism based on lengthy builds aren’t valid, writing: “If people seriously give negative marks for builds on the grounds that ‘it’s too repetitive’, [they] can’t be taken seriously. What do they want? A greebled tower with plants and pretzel elements? It’s a structure with repetition IRL. Get over yourself.”

Another agreed: “It’s a beautiful set but I’m curious: I’ve seen a bunch of people complain about repetitive parts of a build but isn’t it obvious it will be? You know what you’ll be getting into so why even complain about something so obvious?”

‘That’s the difference between Star Wars and real space’

Obvious or not, many fans have undeniably picked up on the fact that 10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System rivals sets like 10307 Eiffel Tower when it comes to repetitive building, regardless of whether you love that part of a big LEGO build. Indeed, that’s a fact that’s not lost on one of the set’s designers, Hans Burkhard Schlömer.

“We’re always trying to make it as easy as possible to build sets,” he explained in a roundtable with LEGO Fan Media. “But we also have to consider that even though the box says 18+, there may be long-term LEGO space fans returning after 10 years and we want everybody to have a good time. If you have repeating sections like on the launch tower, our tactic is to get through it as quickly as possible.”

When pushed on the structure of the build (with time spent building the launch pad and tower before getting to the rocket itself), Hans reasoned that it comes back to the authenticity that the LEGO Icons theme is known for.

“That’s the difference between Star Wars (a theme Hans has also worked on) and realistic space,” the LEGO designer says. “With our current technology, we need all this stuff, the launch pad, the huge tower, the big rocket, the boosters to get this tiny little capsule into space.

“So yes, space is hard. We tried to make the build as interesting as possible – but then we also want it to make sense. If you look at the front of the box, you can see what you’re getting into. You can see all the details of all these little grey lightsaber shafts; they don’t put themselves there. It’s up to you to do that – and there are a lot of them.”

It could have been an even trickier build

Tricky decisions needed to be made as part of the design process, weighing up an easier build versus faithfulness to the subject matter. A version was also tested using LEGO Technic elements instead of bricks and other LEGO elements for the tower, but the decision was ultimately taken to ensure 10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System looked like ‘part of the LEGO system’.

“It worked but it wasn’t that nice to build,” explains Hans. “Believe it or not, the version we have now is a ‘nice to build’ version.”

Those builders complaining about the build process should then perhaps count themselves lucky that they didn’t build the LEGO Technic alternative to the LEGO Icons set.

10341 NASA Artemis Space Launch System is available now for $259.99 across North America, £219.99 in the UK and €259.99 in mainland Europe and you can read our review of the set by clicking here. Those who order the set before May 26, or while stocks last, will get a free 40687 Alien Space Diner as the model passes the £90 / $100 / €100 threshold.

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