Review: 75200 Ahch-To Island Training
Posted by CapnRex101,
Luke Skywalker made only a brief appearance in the final scene of Star Wars: The Force Awakens but he is among the most prominent characters during Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Many LEGO Star Wars fans were accordingly disappointed when the first wave of sets based upon the movie did not feature an older version of the hero.
75200 Ahch-To Island Training should therefore prove to be a particularly popular set because it includes a new Luke Skywalker minifigure along with an updated version of Rey and even a tiny porg! Such desirable characters are usually restricted to larger sets so I am delighted to see them in one that costs just £25.99 or $29.99. The figures seem certain to be excellent and I hope the Ahch-To environment will be similarly impressive, resulting in a set worthy of Luke Skywalker's exciting return to the Star Wars saga.
Please note that this review is spoiler free.
Minifigures
The highlight of this set is undoubtedly the Luke Skywalker minifigure. This version of the character sports a white Jedi robe with tan accents as well as a dark tan cape which is made from a soft fabric and is considerably wider than that worn by many other figures. I love the inclusion of a dark bluish grey hand to represent Luke's cybernetic appendage and the printed detail on the torso and legs is marvellous.
A new hair piece has been introduced for this minifigure and I think it looks brilliant, featuring detailed texture and closely resembling Luke's hairstyle from the film. Dark tan may not be a perfect colour choice in relation to the source material but I think using grey or brown would be equally inappropriate. Perhaps a combination of the three colours would have been most suitable, although I am reasonably satisfied with dark tan.
Luke's head is printed with two expressions, one calm and the other angry. Both sides feature a few wrinkles and a dark tan beard which matches the movie very nicely, even including some light bluish grey details where the beard is especially thick around the chin. The Jedi comes equipped with a staff which consists of a 4L bar and a tan telescope element.
Rey wears a dark tan vest for her journey to Ahch-To at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and this version of the character is only available here. The dark brown hair piece is familiar, featuring three neat buns, while the head includes some freckles along with smiling and frowning expressions. The same head has appeared on every Rey minifigure so far and it would be nice to see a new one, although this design is splendid.
The torso printing looks superb, featuring some dark bluish grey on both sides of Rey's jacket and a pale shirt. I like the designs on the legs and the light bluish grey sleeves too, although dual-moulding could have been used to depict exposed shoulders which are a consistent feature of Rey's attire. The minifigure is equipped with both a black quarterstaff and a blue lightsaber, just as in the movie.
A lone Porg completes the minifigure selection. These avian creatures have received a great deal of attention so I am delighted to see one included here, particularly since the porgs have only previously been seen in 75192 Millennium Falcon. This figure features dark bluish grey feathers and a white chest so contrasts with the black and light bluish grey bird from the Ultimate Collector's Series set. The head, shared with BB-8, remains the same and is decorated with some orange feathers as well as large eyes.
The Completed Model
Following the destruction of his Jedi academy at the hands of Ben Solo, Luke Skywalker sought out the first Jedi temple on Ahch-To and took up residence in one of the surrounding huts. These buildings are crudely constructed using stone and I think that has been recreated very effectively here. The fusion of light and dark bluish grey as well as dark tan works nicely and four stickers give the impression of some texture without being intrusive.
The two external sections are attached to the stone hut using Technic pins so they can be removed quite easily and swapped around, depending upon how you wish to display the model. Personally, I favour the standard design shown on the box and in the instruction manual, although having the option of changing its configuration is certainly welcome.
Ahch-To's terrain has been nicely rendered using light and dark bluish grey pieces alongside a few green plates. I like the curved tiles which might represent the foundations of a fallen structure and the small fire pit at the centre looks superb, standing on a reddish brown round 2x2 jumper plate.
There is also a small training area which takes direct inspiration from a scene in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The dark bluish grey boulder is placed on a 2x2 tile between some rocks and looks reasonably natural, particularly since we know that intense wind and rain on the island has created some unusual geological formations. In fact, this rock forms part of a fun feature.
You can place a minifigure on the turntable situated just behind the boulder and then knock it over by swinging the figure back and forth while they are holding an accessory. This is a very simple function but it works well and I appreciate the inclusion of a trans-light blue crystal inside the boulder as this offers potential for further storytelling.
However, the most impressive aspect of the model is definitely the hut at its centre. Slopes of different sizes and gradients are used to form the curved exterior of the structure and I like the combination of colours too. The stone texture looks great too as a few 1x2 plates with slide and 1x1 tooth plates are used to give the impression of uneven brickwork. It is worth noting that the 1x1 tooth plates are new in light bluish grey.
Similar building techniques are used on the other side of the dwelling where one will also find a perch for a porg! A dark brown fabric component hanging from a rail forms the door which feels appropriate for such a rudimentary structure. I love the ragged design of the edge and sliding the curtain along the rail is quite satisfying, although it is worth noting that the hut occupied by Luke has a solid door in the movie.
Luke's home is simply furnished with a table, a bed and some cooking utensils. Such crude household wares are reminiscent of those found in Yoda's hut on Dagobah and they include a small lamp, not unlike that seized by the Jedi during his first encounter with Luke in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. I appreciate the natural colour scheme which continues inside, befitting the Ahch-To environment and matching the exterior.
The roof is only attached using a couple of studs so can be removed very easily, as shown below. This allows you to play inside and reveals another function which is also based on a brief moment from the film. Pushing the Technic lever at the back of the model will cause a section of the wall to explode, much to the chagrin of the Lanai Caretakers who maintain these ancient buildings.
There are a few more details to be found inside the hut, including a pearl silver fish in a bucket, some lime green berries which are hidden beneath the table and even a slot for Luke's staff beside the bed. Two exposed studs allow you to fit a minifigure on the bed and this is mounted on a hinge so it can be folded against the wall, thereby leaving more space for a couple of figures.
Overall
I had high expectations for 75200 Ahch-To Island Training and am absolutely delighted with the final product. All three figures are magnificent, with Luke Skywalker being among the most impressive of those released in conjunction with Star Wars: The Last Jedi due to both the popularity of the character and its high level of detail. Rey and the tiny porg are brilliant too, as are Luke's hut and the few functions included.
Unfortunately, the price of £25.99 or $29.99 feels a little expensive in relation to the content of the set, although the quality of both the minifigures and the Ahch-To environment is beyond doubt in my view. I would therefore recommend waiting for a slight discount if you can bear to do so. Nevertheless, this is an excellent set and a worthy addition to one's Star Wars: The Last Jedi collection.
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.
Please remember to keep your comments free of spoilers as a courtesy to those who have not yet seen Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
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41 comments on this article
Dang. I really want this now.
I will definitely be getting this set, and have been ever since I saw pictures. Some people don't like the Luke minifig, but I for one love it. Also, a great review, keep up the good work!
This review has convinced me to buy it. Awesome!
Nice. Can‘t wait to see Yoda's hut now!
These scenes were filmed in Skellig Michael in Ireland and this set has received extensive publicity here in Ireland, even on the front of a national newspaper. It has gone on sale in Smyths Toys and is a best seller already and is impossible to get!
Absolutely an amazing set! Figures and build are both great, (and PORG!!). I love Luke's new hairpiece; I hope we get in in more colors (specifically Dark Orange for a custom David Bowie figure). :)
It's frustrating knowing that this would have been a $20 or $25 set back in the day. $30 is just far too much for me at this size, even as good as it looks.
A dark tan hood for Luke would've been a great addition, it's a shame it doesn't exist so we'll have to wait longer...
A great set. Thanks for the review as always
I hope hope hope that the RRP is €30 and not €40 - the former would mean I could find it pretty soon for €20. It looks like a great parts pack, nice versatile grey & green pieces.
Will also be using Rey's outfit for a purist custom Jaina Solo.
Luke's hairpiece is pretty funny - reminds me of the mullets of footballers from the 80s/90s in those "Highlights of past World Cups" videos.
Thanks for a great review, you've sold me on this set!
Already got the new Luke and porg so there's no reason to get the set. (For me.) ;)
A set with Jedi Master Luke, not-scavenger-Rey with Lightsaber, a Porg and a place instead of a ship or speeder? Count me in.
@Ephseb The new Star Wars sets are already listd at LEGO.com, so you can see the RRP it has in your country from there. Fortunately it's 35��� in Finland, which is a positive thing considering lately some SW sets have been 50€ in here with a $30 RRP in the US
Okay...it’s officially s must-buy. Even at that price point it’s pretty darn cool.
I would have liked for them to have included the actual hut door that gets Force-pushed off of the building, and it would be nice if a second set could be attached to the back to make the complete hut out of the box. Otherwise it's a great set, I'm going to try and get this as soon as I can.
This is definitely on the top of my must buy list and that price for two of the main charcters is really good!
This appears to be a great set from what has instantly become one of my favorite movies of all time. As a movie, The Last Jedi makes The Force Awakens look like child's play (not that TFA was bad, The Last Jedi is just that good). Having finally seen the movie, I looked at all of the sets, which I previously avoided to dodge spoilers. They seem pretty good on the whole.
FYI I found this set in my local Smyths Toys in the UK so it's proof that sets are trickling out! Seeing the movie tomorrow as I've had other commitments today and my work staff party yesterday (and showings on the 14th booked up too fast).
Non-spoilery reviews say the film is amazing and many mention it's better than TFA, so there are good vibes aplenty.
Is £26 a new price point for Lego in the UK? I feel like this should've been £24.99 max but they thought they'd add a cheeky quid on. They've done the same for battle packs and they've been bumped up to £13 rather than £12.
I have zero Star Wars sets, but I kinda want this one...
@ROTJ thanks for telling me, didn't know that! It's €30, luckily...I know a store that always offers 25-30% discount in February.
The Cantina is €50. Do they really expect anyone to buy it at that price? Sandspeeder (€40) and Grievous-Speeder (€30) are also overpriced AF for their size.
After seeing 'The Last Jedi'... I don't think I can be bothered picking up this set.... I'm so deflated and heartbroken :(
I haven't seen the movie so I don't know what to say.
Can everybody also resist from posting any spoilers in the comments?
That Luke hairpiece is good for making your own MacGyver, but I'd rather have that gray hair people have been using to make their own Lukes to make a proper one. Even though I have very mixed feelings about Last Jedi, I think I will still get this set.
Found all new set but this one at a local TRU yesterday.
A must have - funny thing is priced same as A-WiNG last year, has almost same amount of pieces but lacks one figure. So IT IS more expesive.
This set could have been so much more.. watch the movie and make your choice.
I love the look of this set, despite coming back disappointed from the film. I am a sucker for locations like small huts and look forward to building it.
Luke's new hairpiece looks very useful as well. Could be good for an Odin minifig.
Seriously, most of the new Star Wars sets are so light on content except for the minifigs, TLG should just sell the minifigs by themselves and drop the laughable stuff that it packaged with them. There is little excuse to call these "sets".
This lokks good.
I guess star wars minifigs are produced somewhere where they can't achieve dual molding, but on the other hand, they probably have the best tools for printing helmets, droids and all kind of weird molds like alien heads.
I loved the movie and this set is incredibly accurate.
I love this set but my only gripe is the door. It was a great little easter egg in the movie that the steel door was made from one of the X-Wing's X-foils. (I only saw the film once and I not 100% sure of that but some online seem to agree, I def need a second viewing) If I'm right I will be doing a little modding to include this cool detail.
Well guess I'm waiting for sales/clearance. I wanted this set, but $20-$25 was a reasonable price. $30 is gouging us.
@kneroh - The set is called "Ahch-to Island training" and not "luke's hut". In the movie you can see several huts and actually the one were Rey spends the night has a cloth door.
The only gripe with this set for me is the shape of the hut. It seems a bit off.. It's hard to make round shapes with lego but maybe if they used some side build with a few round pieces it would have been better.
@CapnRex101 I don't think you're 'supposed to' knock over the boulder. It's cut in half, based on a brief moment in the film, just like the wall section exploding...
@Galactus - Splitting the boulder has to be done manually as it will not break open simply by striking it with the lightsaber. The function is therefore intended to knock the boulder over, as described in the review.
I think I'd like multiple of this set and make the scene larger, its a shame we get none of the other island residents, but that Luke minifig is quite fantastic!
I hope that the Dagobah playlet is as good as this one, with lovely little details. Fun fact: TWA makes me want this set, TLJ makes me disregard it.
The minifigs in this set are amazing!