JMBricklayer Mechanical Octopus (70123) Review

Stuart (Brickmcbricksworth) here, with my second review for The Brick Post. I hope you enjoy what I have to say about this alternative brand and the set I have for you today.

We also have a discount code to use on the JMBricklayers website, pop thebrickpost15% into the box during checkout to bag yourself 15% off your basket (non-sale items only).

For Amazon US buyers please use this link and code JMBBP70123, this code applies a 15% discount and is valid for one month starting from 25th October (this set only).

Without further a-do, here’s my review.

Guess who’s back with a brand new review, lets not beat around the bush it ain’t LEGO again!

I had so much fun with the Mechanical Chameleon last month, (read the review on that here) I decided I had to have another JMB set to review

This time they sent me THE MECHANICAL OCTOPUS (70123). Again this was extremely kind of them and I’m here to give it an honest review.

Like last time lets look at the box!

• Matt black pro looking background? check
• Shiny detailed embossed print? Check
• Lots of info on how to acquire spares should you need them? Check

Nothing more to report here other than, yes this looks like a good box and attention to detail is on point yet again from JMB!

The set comprises of 806 pieces and is for ages 14+. The theme of this set is a futuristic Octopus holding a UFO… Yes I was as confused as you are right now! But hear me out on this one. I was sceptical at first when I saw the artwork of the set I was being sent and first glance, I couldn’t see what parts were what. But I kept an open mind and thought “meh I’ll just build it and see what comes of it.” I am glad I did! Let me explain the build.

Firstly you build the base which is mainly trans blue and clear pieces and straight away feels solid. So a good start to the build.

Then you start to build some of the octopus arms, as if they are partially submerged under the sea.

Then you build the UFO. A solid lets say side build that looks… well just like a classic alien UFO. Finally you build the main body of the Octopus. As you build the octopus main body in different parts and place it on a base this is not fully connected due to the look and therefore can not be played with. It is a static model only.

The techniques used to build the arms of the beastie are quite excellent, and even though you would think repetitive because there are 8 arms (surprisingly), there isn’t one arm that is exactly the same so you can’t get away with batch building! All of the arms are posed in a semi static way, where there is some movement and you can make it look somewhat how you want. But due to the build on the arms there is a way it is supposed to look, so the movement in the arms is limited for the build.

The main body is as solid of a build as I have ever seen so drop it on your toes and you would be sorry!!! One half of the body is an X-ray style view of what the inside of a robot octopus would look like. The array of pieces and clever use of colours here is quite good indeed. On the other side you get a BIG one of a kind moulded piece in a striking clear trans red to show the outer skin of the beast!

This set like the last mechanical animal has light bricks that light up clear tubes. These look excellent when lit up! Those tubes can be a tad fiddly but are well worth the slight effort you put in to make them look good.

As this is an honest review I can’t say that it was all spectacular. If any of you know me from my YouTube live streams you will all know I am not a fan of lots of stickers! A few I can cope with, but lots… THIS SET HAS A LOT OF STICKERS! Almost all of them are over multiple pieces. I have to say, not a fan of that. Which is a shame because the stickers are actually well printed, it would just be better if they didn’t cross multiple pieces.

So does it look like an Octopus grabbing a UFO when it is built? YES! Yes it does. It 100% looks better once built than the pictures you see of it on the box art etc.

The Box/artwork 7/10

Instructions 10/10

The brick quality (colour and feel) 9.5/10

Techniques 8.5/10

Stickers! 3/10

I give this one an overall build and final look 7.8!

Be sure to return for a spooky review, I’ll say no more for now!