Lego has had a long-standing partnership with Star Wars that has culminated into several epic sets over the years from a gigantic Millennium Falcon to more niche space craft from some of the spin-off TV shows.

The latest set, to celebrate all things "Droid" is a 31cm (12.5-inch) tall R2-D2 complete with a few interactive elements and of course, we couldn't resist the opportunity to build the set and share some of the great elements of it.

An epic build

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This new 18+ rated build features 2,314 bricks and stands at 12.5-inches (30cm) tall.

When complete this set measures 31cm (12.5-inches) tall, 20cm (7.5-inches) wide and 15cm (6-inches) deep, so it's not a small build by any stretch of the imagination.

That's big enough to make a statement on your bookshelf or desk, but also not too big that you'll struggle to put it anywhere.

Plenty of detail

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The lego 'artoo' features two pop-out tools on the front to play with.

There are plenty of details included and lots to play with. That includes hidden tools on the body and really nice details that will bring back loads of fond memories from the movies and TV shows. 

Impressive design

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Lego has done a fantastic job of really making it look like R2-D2 from the movies including the relevant vents on the front of the body.

The set itself, which for some reason has an 18+ age rating - don't worry there's no difficult elements to the build - is broken down into 528 steps for you to follow through.  

The build process focuses around you building the central body element first before attaching the legs and head afterwards. 

Pop-up periscope

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The head is rotatable, there's a retractable mid-leg and periscope, plus lots of hidden tools.

This all-new 2,314-piece set is being touted as the "most feature packed" Lego R2-D2 yet and features a periscope, retractable mid-leg and rotating head.

It even features hidden tools including a lightsaber hilt that's stashed away in a secret compartment. 

Luke's lightsaber

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The rotating head includes Luke's lighsaber from Return of the Jedi ready for those Jabba the Hutt battles.

With plenty of elements to tinker with - including that rotating head and pop-up periscope - Luke's hidden lightsaber, and the various cutters and blowtorch attachments hidden elsewhere.

Moveable legs

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You can either choose to stand R2-D2 on two legs or for a bit of suggested movement have the third centre leg support that classic 'artoo' stance.

The Lego R2-D2 comes with three legs and there are two standing positions.

You can either choose to stand R2-D2 on two legs as if it is stationary, or for a bit of suggested movement have the third central leg in the forward or backward position to support that classic 'artoo' stance.

Sadly there's no wheels so you can't drive off in a huff to only be caught by the Jawa. 

Even the legs look good

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The attention to detail really is something including the piping on his leg, and even those small grey Lego pieces to give the "foot" plenty of detail.

The attention to detail really is something, and you can tell the designers have laboured over all the individual parts that make up this set.

That includes the piping on his legs, and even those small grey Lego pieces to give the "foot" plenty of detail.

At the time it's not clear what difference they'll make, but when you see the finished result it really adds to the whole model. 

Unique R2-D2 minifig

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It ships with its own exclusive minifigure and stand telling you key stats about the mechanical droid.

Being a unique piece also means it comes with a collectible minifigure of R2-D2 that you can display next to it on its own 50th anniversary Lego brick and display stand detailing key stats about the droid.

Lots of Lego

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There are 2,314-pieces of Lego in the box broken down into 13 bags to work your way through.

Most of the build is straightforward, although there are one or two moments that you'll have to make sure you pay attention to. Get it wrong and it will bite you much further down the line.

The only complaint we have of the set, is that there is a lot of plastic bags, which doesn't feel very environmentally friendly, and something that Lego should look to address sooner rather than later. 

The company has promised to switch to paper bags, but it hasn't happened yet. 

A fairly simple build

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Fairly easy to build, you will have to pay attention at key points. Failing to do so will cost you dearly. We learnt the hard way.

Build time, depending on how aggressively you attack it is a good long evening even if you're going for it.

This set could easily be spread over a number of nights - there are 13 bags of Lego in the box.

A big instruction book

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There are over 500 steps to complete in the accompanying manual. There's also a note from the designer and some great pics of 'Artoo' from the movies.

As is usual with this type of set the instruction manual comes with several pages that feature not only photos from the various movies Artoo has turned up in and some behind the scenes pictures with Kenny Baker, but also a touching note from Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, the Creative Director of Lego Star Wars on the set. 

Buy it now

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An epic set for any Star Wars fan, It's available to buy for $199 in the US and £179 in the UK.

Lego R2-D2 is available now and costs $199/€199 in the US/EU, or £179.99 in the UK. Look out for more 50th anniversary sets in the very near future.