Review REVIEW: 75093 Death Star Final Duel

[Bob De Quatre]

Introduction

As a fan of Star Wars, the original trilogy, there are some scenes that are absolutely iconic. The final duel, on board of the Death Star two, is one of them. Luke facing both Darth Vader and the Emperor, and finally awakening the Anakin Skywalker still inside the black armor. I can still remember the emotions I felt when I first watched this scene years ago. Will this set make me feel the same things? We'll see at the end of the review!

Set information

Set Name: Death Star Final Duel

Set Number: 75093

Number of Pieces: 724

Theme: Star Wars

Year Release: 2015

Prices: £69.99 / $79.99 / €99.99

#75093 on Brickset

#75093 on Rebrickable

Packaging

The box is pretty big and shares the Star Wars Rebels layout with all the early sets of 2015. The front shows the whole set in "play mode", completely opened and with Luke, Darth Vader and the Emperor fighting. The new Darth Vader helmet is highlighted by specific artwork in the lower left corner.

The rear of the box shows all the play features of the set and has some very nice artwork.

A side of the box shows the minifigures included. Lord Vader himself is the 1:1 part.

Content of the box

The box is quite full with the instructions booklet, 6 numbered bags and a sticker sheet. The stickers are only for two 1x2x2/3 slopes in black and the inner side of the four 4x4x5 cylinder quarter. I usually put stickers on parts when doing a review, but those stickers are so nice, that I didn't apply them on the cylinder parts.

Instructions booklet

The instruction booklet shows the same artwork as the front of the box. It is quite big, almost an A4 size (21cm x 29,7cm), with harder paper for the cover.

The first page could make a nice poster!

The instructions are easy to follow, while not on the same level as a Minecraft set. The very light blue background makes them clear and easy to read.

The last double page shows sets from the wave and all the minifigures you can collect. Gotta catch 'em all!

Minifigures

The minifigures are the jewels of this set. We got two imperial guards, a new Luke, a new Emperor Palpatine and a new Darth Vader with his two parts new helmet. Except for Luke, everyone wears a cape in this set, meaning we got two red/dark red and two black capes.

While both Luke and Palpatine got alternate faces, the back of Darth Vader's head is printed with scars. Luke is also the only minifigure in this set to get back printing, but he is also the only one not wearing a cape!

A closer look at Darth Vader. I think he is really well done, with the new helmet and his awesomely printed face. He looks maybe a bit too kind, and I don't know why, but I think his head should be in light bluish grey and not white.

Interesting parts

The set is filled with nice bricks that give texture to the walls and bases, like the #2877 1x2 modified brick with grille. The set contains two #16577 1x8x2 raised arch, which is a new part from 2014, and not common in light bluish grey. But what may attract us to this set is the fantastic 6x6 inverted dish with handle, printed with Death Star window pattern. And we have 3 of them! And let's not forget the fantastic minifigures included that we reviewed just above.

Build

The first bag contains all the capes and both Luke and Vader minifigures.

At the end of the first bag, we have the center part of the set, on which we'll build the emperor's throne. Note that the front of the build can extend, as seen in the pictures illustrating bag 2. There is also a small lever mechanism that I will explain later in the Play feature section of this review.

The second bag's contents...

.. And what we build with it. Again a play feature here: look at the lever on the side of the stairs.

With the bag 3, we'll build the left side of the set

The left side of the build features the collapsing bridge.

The 4th bag will bring us the right side of the set...

... which will be used to make the reactor shaft.

Bag 5 will complete the throne room.

And with bag 6 we'll build the entrance door and frame while the second imperial guard shows up.

The complete build in all its glory.

Spare parts are always nice! Especially with the lower half of Vader's helmet that could be used to make a Dagobah Dark Side cave's Luke.

Play features

First, let's recognize that the set looks very good. I had it displayed in my living room for weeks. And my nephew kept playing with it each time he visited!

Working doors are always nice, even if the mechanism could be enhanced.

Vader can make Luke trip... Or Luke can do a force jump, you choose!

The collapsing bridge will hurt Luke badly...

... as will the collapsing stairs!

The Emperor can make a lightsaber pop-up from behind its throne. Careful when you catch it, it's lighted up!

The reactor shaft can be used as trash disposal...

... or to enact emotional plot twist!

Conclusion

Design: 10/10 - The design is almost flawless, well deserving a 10.

Parts: 9/10 - The parts selection is really nice. The windows are truly awesome!

Build: 8/10 - The fold out structure and all the play features make the build very interesting and easy to store.

Playability: 10/10 - We had so much fun playing with this set, there is so much to do!

Minifigs: 10/10 - I couldn't want more minifigs with this set, and all of them are great.

Price: 8/10 - Star Wars sets aren't cheap, especially in Europe... But at least, this set is worth the (high) price.

Overall: 55/60 (92%) - This is a great set. It manages to be both great to look at and full of playability! The different areas of the set really capture the mood of the movie, and the very detailled minifigures add to the accuracy of the set. It has a lot of play features that kids love... Well if you let your kids play with it! If you are a Lego Star Wars collector, this set will have its place next to Jabba's Palace!

[dartmar]

Thanks for the review. I love the new Vader helmet and it looks a set kids could have hours of fun with.

[Junior Shark]

This is a gorgeous set. I hope I can pick it up before it retires. It's a little baffling that all of the set's stickers go to the inside of something you will almost never see. Great review!

[Forresto]

Great Review!

I've been tentative about getting this set, I really want the new Darth Vader figure but i'm not convinced whether the new helmet mold is good? Is it better in person then in pictures? It's just weird that he looks like he's looking up towards the sky.

[Junior Shark]

It's just weird that he looks like he's looking up towards the sky.

I don't have the minifigure, so I'm not very qualified to speak on this, but it looks like Bob might have his Vader leaning back.

Edited April 8, 2016 by Junior Shark

[miles teg]

I'm a massive OT fan, and have wanted this set since it's release. I finally picked it up off Amazon last weekend for the bargain price of £50 inc free shipping : ) I sat down and built it last night and I can say it's fantastic. Thoroughly enjoyed the build, especially the window areas. LOVE the minifigs, especially Vaders new helmet and print. Lots of cool parts...tiles, cheese slopes, those cool blue trans parts and of course the windows ! It's bigger than I thought too...don't you love it when you have to clear more space on t-he table than you planned as the set grows : ) this will fill my OT set collection nicely

[LOBOT-OMY]

Superb review ! I might just have to buy this set.

[RetroInferno]

Great Review!

I've been tentative about getting this set, I really want the new Darth Vader figure but i'm not convinced whether the new helmet mold is good? Is it better in person then in pictures? It's just weird that he looks like he's looking up towards the sky.

I had doubts too, and yeah, from the side it looks a bit awkawrd because of the upper angle, it is however a massive improvement over the last design in most areas, especially on the front, and I'm really glad Lego shifted for this one.

[miles teg]

I was a bit unsure, but I think it's captured that kind of 'looking down his nose' at everyone around him attitude that Vader has in the films. I havn't watched them in a few years but I think Vader kind of sneered down on the people around him in his swaggering arrogance, and this mould has..intentionally or not, captured this. I added a black 1stud square to the bottom of each foot to give him that extra bit of imposing height over Luke too, it looks pretty cool

Edited July 12, 2016 by miles teg