The Blacktron Cruiser is a delightful update to the Invader. Sleek, well sized, and, for now, easy to find affordably on the second-hand market, this set feels like an injection of old Lego Space charm, complete with the factional edge of Blacktron, into a world of newer, better Lego builds. A few things hold this set back, however, and keep it from being as impressive as some of its more modern contemporaries, or the preceding Galaxy Explorer remake.

The build itself is really slick, efficient, and rather colourful for a Blacktron set; the uses of transparent deep red for the lasers and "butterfly" engine fins are fantastic, and the ship's recombination features, with a modular engine, cockpit, and cargo bay are phenomenal, the perfect sort of features a small but fully fledged starship model ought to have. The swing wings as well are classic, and instantly inspire a more aggressive aesthetic, which is something considering how cute Lego Space, and Lego in general, tends toward. However, the use of stickers here is a little disappointing; I'm awful with them, admittedly, but sometimes I really do wonder why a printed piece or two wouldn't have been an acceptable cost.

The other issue is, naturally, the lack of a full retail release. Honestly there's a TON of interest in these old themes, more than ever, and I'd say that I'd take a slowdown of Lego Star Wars or the other licenses any day if it meant a little more of stuff like this getting released. Galaxy Explorer was more fortunate, and I think that fact also is why it didn't suffer from the stickers, as well. It's overall a small issue, there appears to be a decent supply of these sets, but it's worth noting.

The set is smaller, a little less built to last, and a little less supported. The Blacktron Cruiser is still a fantastic build, a delightful return to Space factions, and in my opinion still very much worth owning. It has a spot on my shelf with the Galaxy Explorer, and I don't think it's leaving there anytime soon.