We've had a chance to put together a few Exo-Force sets—specifically sets 7703: Fire Vulture, 7708: Uplink [pictured], and 7711: Sentry—and our initial impressions are mixed, although learning toward the positive as they suit our own needs. We are in a rebuilding phase with our element collection with an eye towards mecha building. We've had a serious lack of pieces that can be easily pressed into service as articulated joints and had hoped to find the Exo-Force a good source

In that sense, we are fairly pleased at the element selection. While the smaller sets like Uplink and Sentry use a fairly rudiemntary Technic-based connection for the legs, the larger Fire Vulture uses a ratcheted series of blocks that allow for a great variety of poses—perhaps at the expense of versatility. That said, we should be able to find plenty of uses for two-brick joint that rotate on two axes, perhaps even in non-mecha models.

The Exo-Force sets come with heavy weaponry, including missiles and guns and even a flamethrower. (And to Lego's credit, there is not a single dragon-fire element on the Fire Vulture.) In fact, the sets might be the most overtly military designs Lego has ever produced. For the first time, we feel it possible that our dream theme—minifig-scale World War II machinery—might someday be a possibility.

The parts inventory is varied, with many elements we feel will be useful to any budding builder of a 'futuristic' style, although there continue to be some disturbingly large single-use pieces, like the giant turbine on the back of the Fire Vulture. (The turbine is also the first piece we can recall with a dual-color injection mold from Lego.) Fan-built mecha tend to appear much more solid than the Exo-Force models, despite Lego's use of broad multi-angle slopes to imply heft. The remix potential is limited, but as part of a collection of more traditional elements there is much potential in these sets.

You might notice that we didn't opt to use any of the dozens of stickers included with the Exo-Force line. While we find the sticker design to be very much in theme with the anime-influence, we intend to be tearing these down to parts soon. In that sense, we're happy to have the choice of clean or printed bricks, but we can't help but feel a tinge of sadness at Uplink's 2 x 1 plate that serves as a computer. The silk-screened computer plate, once a hallmark of the space themes, is seemingly past its prime.

The larger Exo-Force sets include a 2 x 4 brick with a watch battery-powered LED. (We're not sure yet if the battery is replaceable.) Rubber fiber optic cables can be run from one end of the brick to add a glowing effect, such as the Fire Vulture's flamethrower laser sight. The bricks are cute but seem to have limited use.

Lastly, the minifigs are likely to be controversial. We rather dig the spiky-haired hero minifigs with their two-to-a-head faces, but the robot enemies are extremely awkward-looking and not the least bit menacing. (Not to mention the dissonance of robots piloting other robots.)

Overall, we're happy to gather so many useful parts and to see Lego finally stepping up the weaponry, but we wish the mecha appeared a bit more like giant, hulking robots and less like chassis waiting to be armored. We are also pleasantly surprised to find a minimum of Bionicle elements. The few that do appear add just the right amount of character.