Review: 75190 First Order Star Destroyer
Posted by CapnRex101,Star Destroyers dominate naval battles throughout the whole of the Star Wars saga, undergoing frequent changes to maintain that superiority. The Resurgent-class Star Destroyer is the most recent addition to the series, having made its first appearance in The Force Awakens and now returning in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
75190 First Order Star Destroyer is the largest of the seven sets based on the upcoming film, containing 1416 pieces and costing £129.99 in the UK or $159.99 in the US. The design of the model seems to recall that of 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer which is an excellent decision in my opinion as that set included plenty of interior detail as well as an attractive armoured hull. I hope this new set will prove to be similarly impressive.
Minifigures
Supreme Leader Snoke gave instructions from the shadows in Star Wars: The Force Awakens but appears to play a more prominent role in The Last Jedi so I am very pleased to see a minifigure version of this mysterious character. He wears a pearl golden robe which shines under certain light conditions and features a lovely textured pattern on both sides of the torso along with the hips and legs.
However, the head is definitely my favourite aspect of the minifigure. Snoke's gruesome visage has been rendered very effectively as scars cover the entire head and I love his piercing blue eyes which serve to differentiate this unusual figure from others. The Supreme Leader does not come with any accessories, presumably because he has no need of weapons, such is his strength in the Force.
The LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens range has yielded a few versions of the First Order Officer and another appears here, this time wearing a pearl dark grey uniform. I suspect the figure is based upon Lieutenant Mitaka given the colour of his attire and the nervous expression on the face, although it seems a shame that his black boots have been left out as dual-moulded legs would have been ideal here.
Fortunately, the command cap and torso designs look marvellous. The First Order crest is neatly printed above the visor and the folded flaps are very striking, particularly when viewed from behind. I am glad to see some rank cylinders slotted into pockets on the front of the torso and the black belt continues on both sides which looks great in contrast with the pearl grey tunic. The minifigure comes equipped with a blaster pistol.
The First Order Shuttle Pilot is currently exclusive to this set but looks fairly similar to the First Order Crew which are quite common. The torso design is very simple but matches the source material nicely and the head has been well chosen as it features a printed communication headset that seems appropriate for a shuttle pilot.
The helmet appears to be the same as that worn by First Order Fleet Engineers, albeit with the faceplate raised to reveal the pilot's face. It matches the existing element perfectly and I like the additional moulded detail on the front. A standard black blaster pistol is included for the pilot and there is a clip to store this weapon on board the Star Destroyer.
BB-9E is the focus of a great deal of merchandise for Star Wars: The Last Jedi which is unsurprising given the enormous popularity of BB-8 toys over the last couple of years. This little figure features the same spherical body component as its heroic predecessor but the head is conical in shape. I like the combination of black and silver and the red photoreceptor looks very intimidating, as one would expect of a First Order droid.
The Star Destroyer is also crewed by a First Order Stormtrooper and a First Order Stormtrooper Sergeant, the latter of whom is distinguished by a fabric pauldron. I love the smooth shaping of the helmet and the pristine white armour looks splendid alongside a few visible areas of the black body glove worn underneath the armour panels.
Excellent though the detail is, it is worth noting that the Stormtroopers have undergone some minor alterations for The Last Jedi and these are not reflected in the figures. I would have liked to see a narrower mouth grille as I prefer the updated design in the movie but reusing the original minifigure does allow you to add to your existing army rather than having to start an entirely new one which is useful. A Clone Trooper head is found beneath the helmet and each trooper is armed with a black blaster rifle.
A brick-built Medical Droid and a tiny holographic figure complete the set. The droid appears to take inspiration from the FX-series but also resembles the IT-000 interrogator from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It is simply constructed and features three black levers representing articulated arms. The holographic figure is much more intricate and is very appealing as this element has only appeared once before in 2014's 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer. I am delighted to see it return, depicting Kylo Ren on this occasion.
The Completed Model
75190 First Order Star Destroyer measures over 56cm in length when completed so is suitably large to represent an imposing capital ship, as one expect given its cost. It is constructed around a rigid Technic frame so feels very sturdy, even improving upon the excellent 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer in that regard. You can comfortably lift the model from beneath the hull and a carrying handle is mounted on top to make it even easier!
The prow of the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer is among its most distinctive features so I am very pleased to see the protruding ventral armour included. A few more mechanical details would have been beneficial in my opinion but the exposed undersides of the wedge plates are remarkably effective and I do like the exposed hinge elements used between the sections of angled armour.
Additional details are sprinkled across the entire hull, using light and dark bluish greys as well as tiles, clips and ingots to create some delightful texture. This looks superb but the Technic hinges at the edges of the model are rather unsightly. Unfortunately, the shape of the hull means that a couple of the hinges are left quite clearly visible, more so than they were on 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer where the same elements were used.
The four heavy turbolaser turrets which line either side of the vessel are also reminiscent of 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer, although these are fixed in place which limits their play value. In addition, the shape of the stud shooters is not entirely suitable for weapons of this kind so I would be inclined to replace them with something more authentic if you are intending to display the model. On the other hand, the stud shooters are useful for play and unleashing a full broadside of all four shooters is fun.
The primary command bridge is located at the highest point of the superstructure to give the best possible view of a battle. However, it is less prominent than those found on Star Destroyers of the Imperial era, thereby reducing its vulnerability to focused attacks from starfighters. The scale limits the level of detail possible but many of the major features are present, including a sensor tower and the spherical deflector shield projector.
A Technic carrying handle is situated just in front of the bridge, allowing you to pick up the Star Destroyer with ease. These are a common feature of recent LEGO Star Wars sets and are very welcome in my opinion as they always seem to work well and that is certainly the case here. That being said, this example is not very well hidden and looks rather awkward even when fully retracted.
A bank of three primary and eight secondary thrust nozzles grant the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer impressive manoeuvreability in relation to its enormous size. Each one glows with a trans-light blue element and the exposed Technic liftarms to which they are attached resemble the mechanical structure seen on the Finalizer in Star Wars: The Force Awakens so look pretty good to me.
The hull opens in three sections, revealing an extensive interior. The large panels on either side fold down neatly while the bridge flips backwards, allowing access to Supreme Leader Snoke's throne. This is a vast improvement over both 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer and 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer and the designer has made excellent use of the space inside, recreating several of the rooms seen in The Force Awakens as well as a few which will presumably appear in The Last Jedi.
The narrower forward section is occupied by the bridge and features twin crew pits as well as several control panels and a walkway for command staff. There are seats for four minifigures in the crew pits and many more can stand on the higher level as a row of exposed studs runs for the entire length of the walkway. Stickers are used to create a red pattern which looks marvellous against the black floor. This is not visible on board the Finalizer but may be apparent on the Supremacy, Snoke's flagship in The Last Jedi.
Another sticker forms a light fixture on the wall. This design is very similar to that seen in Imperial architecture and cleverly disguises a Technic support for the hull panels when they are closed. The control panels around the walkway also make use of stickers but those on the lower level are printed which is always good to see.
Descending a staircase from the command bridge leads to a room containing a large computer terminal. Much of the detail in here is reliant upon stickers which is a bit of a shame, although I think the results look splendid. The terminal resembles that destroyed by Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens but could also serve as a generic control station for some more First Order staff. There are clips for blasters on the wall and a doorway allows minifigures to walk underneath the Technic superstructure.
A small conference table is found in the next room along with a control station for a crew member and a turbolift. There are three seats around the table and you can place another minifigure behind the control panel in the corner, perhaps to serve as a guard for high ranking officials while they are meeting to discuss strategy. This room is my least favourite of the three as the combination of black furnishings and a black floor looks rather drab to me, although that may well be the colour scheme in the film.
A simple lift mechanism allows access to Supreme Leader Snoke's private control centre. This is very unusual for a LEGO Star Wars set of this size but again makes perfect use of the limited space available. The stickers within the lift shaft are quite difficult to apply but they look good. Unfortunately, such details are not present on the lift itself as colourful Technic elements are left completely exposed which is disappointing.
Snoke's chamber is very small but includes a control panel and a seat for the Supreme Leader. However, the highlight is definitely the miniature hologram which is perfectly scaled to recreate Snoke's enormous holographic appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It is as though we are seeing a discussion between Kylo Ren and Snoke from the 2015 film, albeit this time from Snoke's end! The minifigure can remain seated even when the hull plates are closed but must lie back to avoid obstructing the bridge.
Overall
6211 Imperial Star Destroyer was one of my favourite sets as a child and I was even more impressed with 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer in 2014, not only because it was sturdier than its predecessor but also due to the more extensive interior. 75190 First Order Star Destroyer improves upon both, looking just as good from the outside but featuring many more detailed rooms within! I particularly appreciate that the designer has considered how figures can travel from one space to the next, including a doorway, a staircase and even a lift.
The First Order Star Destroyer itself is excellent but the minifigure selection is a little disappointing in my opinion. Just seven figures, two of which are droids, does not feel sufficient for such a large model and I think a second pilot and perhaps an Elite Praetorian Guard would have been beneficial. Nevertheless, I would certainly recommend this set as I think it offers tremendous play value and the price is reasonable given the size of the model.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
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31 comments on this article
The size of this ship shocked me when I saw it on Force Friday at me TRU. Was not expecting it to be that big. Have all the Star Destroyers been that big??
this one has by far the best interior!
the computer terminal is my favourite part!
I’m in the same boat as @CM4Sci! I made my to ToysRUs, and was shocked at how massive it was when I saw it on display!
When I read this: "6211 Imperial Star Destroyer was one of my favourite sets as a child" I had to look up its year of release. 2006. That's 11 years ago already. Damn, time flies. It still feels like yesterday, looking into Lego catalogs and seeing that thing; putting it on my wishlist immediately. Thanks for making me feel old CapnRex :P
Hmm Not Sure you MUST have this if you already got the 2014 star destroyer.
I so wish I had the money for this!
It should have at least one of the Praetorian Guard.
The Snoke minifigure looks like Goldmember from the Austin Powers movies
^ I imagine we will get one of the guards in the 2nd wave. But I do agree it would have been nice.
It would have been nice if it was in DBG as the FO star destroyers appear to be darker shade.
To me the best parts about this set is the holographic Ren and BB-9E
I just bought a used Imperial Star Destroyer 75055 last week and was mightily impressed! Such a wonderful ship and playset. I like how they updated the interior on the FO SD, especially the computer terminal section; just marvellous! Maybe I need to modify mine with some pieces like that!
I for one am somewhat disappointed with this Snoke minifig (however good the paintjob and colour scheme is!). I was hoping they would somehow provide him with a moulded head that would have part of his face indented or missing. Or that they would use a technique similar to the one used in the Silent Mary set (71042) where they would use a translucent head/bodypart (like legs) and only partially paint it to give that effect of part of his face missing...
For everyone shopping in Germany, Toys'r'us is selling this set for 99,98€ till 11.11.17 or till stock runs out.
Playing with 6211 as a child makes you likely in your early twenties, I don't know why but I always thought of you as around 30.
Ignoring this, & just about any other SW set for years. Especially now that one might consider this only $650 left to match the price of the new MF! Much better deal there, if you ask me.
Nice review! I don’t like the way this looks as much as the first couple ISDs, but that interior is...wow. Also the FO officer looks amazing in pearl dark grey.
What I dislike about this set is that you can't display it open as the underside of the hull sections look so ugly and seriously detract from the model overall for me.
there a side by side comparison shot of this and 75055 next to each other?
darthball
@Brickalili try brickvault review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngjbaAXsyJo
I really wish something was done about the underside of the flaps to make them either playable space, or just blend in better.
The interior space on the previous and most recent Star Destroyer was 'nice', but the usage of space in this one is 100x better. A proper bridge with crew pits and a fancy looking terminal would've been enough for me but then you've got the whole lift assembly. From the outside, the ship may look a little drab and the minifigures somewhat uninteresting, but it's a good design and price overall. It definitely should have had at least one, but ideally 2 Praetorian Guards - I'd have gladly sacrificed another BB unit for one of them. Hopefully they pop up next year.
Thanks for complete review. I really don't like fixed studshooters simulating defense turrets. On 75055 they are very well represented, activated with a mechanism which makes them rotate and this is a real enjoyable play feature. But I must admit that the interior is much better than on the Imperial one. Color scheme, use of space, stair, bridge, large command panel... 75055 is a very well designed set, and this one improves again the attention to inside details. I do prefer 75055 external aspect, and 75190 interior design. Minifigs are nice too. They look to be about the same size aren't they?
Looking forward to opening this one on Christmas.
Agree as with most that the minifig selection is disappointing. Phasma or a Guard included would have been much better.
I have two major problems with this set over 75055. It's significantly more expensive for a ship that is about the same size, and I would rather have a classic Imperial Star Destroyer over an over-greebled grey wedge like this set is. That's no fault of the designers, I just don't like this ship design that much.
@CM4Sci Yes, but this one DWARFS the other ISDs.
This is a really cool set!
I fought hard to get the last Star Destroyer set and it's one of my favorites, and was sure a new TFA/TLJ one would be an easy pass but... the revised interior on this one is killing me, plus I'd love a Snoke minifig. Makes me want to buy this one for sure... agh.
I love this set and it's going to be my next purchase as soon as it's on sale around say 90 euro's.
Nice interiors. Most probably gonna get this and modify it to an Imperial Star Destroyer exterior. :)
Picked one up from Argos this afternoon for the princely sum of EUR 42.49