We review the new LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader’s Meditation Chamber released in August 2021.
Vital Statistics
Theme: Star Wars
Name: Darth Vader’s Meditation Chamber
Item: 75296
Price: £59.99 UK/$69.99 USA
Ages: 18+
Pieces: 663 pieces
LEGO Website Description
“You have failed me for the last time, Admiral…” Relive each dramatic scene from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back as you build the first-ever LEGO® brick model of the Darth Vader Meditation Chamber (75296). Kick back and enjoy some quality time immersed in the rewarding building process and recreate lots of authentic details. The chamber opens and closes just like the real thing and features a big screen, control panels, a rotating seat for Darth Vader and a place for General Veers to stand opposite him.
Built for display
This set includes LEGO minifigures of Darth Vader and General Veers. A nameplate completes an eye-catching centrepiece – the perfect size to display on a shelf or as a desk ornament to enhance the decor of your home or workplace.Impressive gift
Part of a collection of LEGO Star Wars™ building kits for adults, this premium-quality set makes a fun, creative gift for yourself, Star Wars fans or keen LEGO builders in your life.• Find your building zen and relive an iconic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back scene as you construct the first-ever LEGO® brick model of the Darth Vader Meditation Chamber (75296).
• This build-to-display model comes with 2 LEGO® Star Wars™ minifigures: Darth Vader and General Veers with a blaster pistol.
• The chamber opens and closes like the real thing and has a rotating seat for Darth Vader, a big screen, control panels, a stud for General Veers to stand on, plus a nameplate.
• This set is part of a series of collectible LEGO® Star Wars™ build-to-display models.
• This awesome 663-piece set offers a rewarding building experience and makes the best birthday, holiday or surprise gift for any Star Wars™ enthusiast, experienced LEGO® builder or hobbyist.
• Measuring over 7 in. (18 cm) high, 6.5 in. (16 cm) wide and 7.5 in. (19 cm) deep, this buildable model doesn’t require much space for display, but is sure to catch people’s attention.
• Buying this set for a passionate Star Wars™ fan who’s a LEGO® newcomer? Don’t worry. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions so they can build with the confidence of a Jedi Knight.
• This LEGO® Star Wars™ set for adults is part of a collection of premium-quality building kits designed for discerning hobbyists who enjoy relaxing in a fun and creative way with DIY projects.
• LEGO® components meet rigorous industry standards to ensure consistency, secure connections and robust builds. It’s been that way since 1958.
• LEGO® bricks and pieces are tested to the max to make sure they meet stringent global safety standards.
Review
We take a look at a different kind of LEGO Star Wars 18+ set, in the form of Darth Vader’s Meditation Chamber from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The packaging is similar to what we’ve seen previously for other 18+ sets, with a simple design showcasing the set, iconography (correct this time), and piece count of 663 elements.
Inside the Box
The box contains 4 numbered bags, as well as an instruction manual and sticker sheet. I don’t hide my view on stickers, and whilst these may be acceptable for non-adult sets, I truly feel that all elements in an 18+ set should be printed, especially since this set is meant for display.
The Build
This is the third rendition of Darth Vader’s Meditation Chamber following smaller versions in the Imperial Star Destroyer (#6211) and Darth Vader’s Castle (#75251). However, this version is the first in scale to the minifigure, measuring almost 16cm wide and deep.
The build starts with a dedicated base, upon which the chamber will sit. The bottom of the chamber is added in the second and third stages of the build, with the final stage being the addition of the top and the finishing of the mechanism that closes the chamber. The final result looks splendid, and is a good representation of what we see on screen, with the white interior standing out magnificently against the black exterior and stand. The chamber is opened and closed using a Technic mechanism that raises and lowers the upper hemisphere as needed, although when closed there are some noticeable gaps. At this size there are bound to be some compromises, another example being that each hemisphere only has four protruding sections, instead of the film’s six. Also, as other reviewers have pointed out, the crane that lifts Vader’s helmet is missing.
Two minifigures are included in the set. The first, obviously, is Darth Vader, and the version here is the same as the one in the excellent Bespin Duel set (#75294), with armour extending over the printed arms. The second minifigure is unique to this set, and features General Veers wearing his Imperial officer uniform, with accurate rank and single code cylinder. This is the first time we have seen Veers outside of his appearance in an AT-AT wearing combat armour.
The sticker on the screen inside the chamber depicting Admiral Ozzel and Captain Piett looks great, but we have yet to get an Admiral Ozzel minifigure — please LEGO?
The set is finished off with a printed plaque which works well for a display piece.
Overall
Despite some of the compromises made to create the set of this size, this is a marvellous representation of a worthy scene from The Empire Strikes Back, and I can see many wanting to add this to a book shelf or desk, making it ideal as a gift this holiday season.
I do feel the base is a bit too big, and perhaps reducing the size could have helped with the cost, which seems a little steep at £59.99/$69.99. Nevertheless, this is a good way of creating scenes for the adult market, and perhaps we will see more sets like this and Bespin Duel (#75294) in the future.
We thank LEGO for proving this set for review. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
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