My 8 year old and I absolutely love this game! After reading the rules once it seemed a little confusing but after 3 games we were hooked! We slowly added the different rules until we were playing the full blown game which is very strategical and really makes you think ahead.
Basically, each player builds their own base using different white and coloured pieces- identical pieces cannot touch each other. You gain points for each astronaut (2 points) or robot (1 point) that you get inside your completed base. To complicate things, you can also place pieces to block your opponent getting astronauts/robots into their base! UFOs can also be moved under which astronauts can pass but not robots. You can also take over your opponents base by building more of your own coloured pieces into it than their coloured pieces.
This game is as strategical as you want to make it and very easy to adapt the rules if you want an easier game. Like the other lego games, the base fits straight in the box without dismantling the permanent pieces. A template can then be put over it, through the holes of which you put the astronauts and robots in their starting positions. My 5 year old does that bit!
Great for getting the brain cells working and this game has helped improved my 8 year old son's concentration. We have 3 lego games and this is our favourite so far. I wouldn't recommend it for any younger than 8 years unless you simplify the rules greatly.