Here is my review for HHN XX. (WARNING: Spoiler Alert)
Having never experienced HHN before, visiting during the infamous 20 Years of FEAR theme was a real treat. I was able to experience the various characters from the past as well as some newer, equally terrifying characters. Definitely a great trip. (and sorry for no pictures)
Houses- (From Weakest To Best)
The Orfanage; Ashes to Ashes:
Located on the waterfront side of the Jaws lagoon, this old-run down boat house offers a great area for a house. Unfortunately, this house doesn't have much to offer. The concept itself is creepy, but most of the scares are from a group of eery children (some with animal heads). The lack of special effects or unique lighting sort of subtract from the experience. Also, the house itself doesn't boast any major scares, just creepiness.
Zombiegeddon:
Originally hearing about this concept, I had some high expectations for this house. To be truthful, I was a tad let down when finally walking through it. The funny concept barely gets any leverage and the story feels forgotten once you enter the house (shame, considering the hilarious preshow). I would be lying though, if I said this house was terrible. A few fun sight gags, and some good makeup help out with the presentation. Overall, this house is a fun experience but doesn't go too far when compared to the houses farther up on this list.
PsychoScareapy; Echoes of Shadybrook:
Feel nervous about the name? Well as scary as the name of this house sounds, the house itself is scarier. The setup inside a haunted insane asylum is great, especially the way the house opens. You go from being outside of the asylum itself (which, by the looks of it, is going insane) to inside a mountain of madness! The interior sets are pretty cool, as are the scares, especially with a few "Shocking" moments here and there. The only major problem is the lack of memorability here. There really is not much that sets this house apart from an average haunted house, although the use of a Psychoward is pretty cool.
Catacombs; Black Death Rising:
As far as haunted houses go, this one is pretty dark. You spend half the house traipsing through black tunnels where any creature could be lurking in the wall, blending in. (or, in some cases, above you) The scares in this house are fun, and the makeup design is pretty good. Definitely one to check out.
Legendary Truth; The Wyandot Estate:
While most houses nowadays strive for intense jump scares and impressive make-up effects, Legendary Truth takes a more low key style and makes alot out of it. The best way to describe the feeling of walking through this house is like an old episode of Scooby Doo. Walking through corridors of a decrepit mansion where, at any corner, something could fly out at you. Rather than focusing on scare performers that are fully dressed up, these costumes are very low key. They are also supplemented with great lighting and some very impressive visual effects (hint: look down as you enter the first corridor). Legendary Truth makes the most out of nothing with it's elaborate sets and unique effects.
Havoc; Dogs of War:
While Havoc is #3 on my list of houses, this is by far the scariest house of the group. Anyone who has been unnerved by the claustrophobicness of sci-fi horror like Alien and Event Horizon will be terrified at this house, set in a particularly similar style. A group of mutated soldiers (some of the grossest make-up effects in my opinion) are on this loose throughout this futuristic facility and are at every corner. To make matters worse are flashing lights and incredibly loud noises that give jump scares a new meaning here. Not too mention that this is one of the more hard core houses in terms of violence and special effects.
Hades; The Gates of Ruin:
By far the best make-up of all 8 houses. This sends you screaming back through greek mythology and I must admit, the costumes and sets are amazing. Appearances from Medusa, Minotaur, and Hades himself highlight this impressive house.
HHN; The Hallow'd Past:
This is, out of all 8 houses, the BEST. Basically, the Hallow'd Past takes all of the famous character from HHN's past and pt them together in one house. Guests meet; The Caretaker, Jack The Clowm, and Malice in Wonderland (among some) in this twisted maze of hell. Impressive sets, ranging from prop warehouses and a maze of mirrors, twisted special effects, a spinning tunnel and fog, and great make-up effects prove that this is the best house of the group. Also, the scares here are genuine, second only to Havoc. Definitely a must visit.
Having never experienced HHN before, visiting during the infamous 20 Years of FEAR theme was a real treat. I was able to experience the various characters from the past as well as some newer, equally terrifying characters. Definitely a great trip. (and sorry for no pictures)
Houses- (From Weakest To Best)
The Orfanage; Ashes to Ashes:
Located on the waterfront side of the Jaws lagoon, this old-run down boat house offers a great area for a house. Unfortunately, this house doesn't have much to offer. The concept itself is creepy, but most of the scares are from a group of eery children (some with animal heads). The lack of special effects or unique lighting sort of subtract from the experience. Also, the house itself doesn't boast any major scares, just creepiness.
Zombiegeddon:
Originally hearing about this concept, I had some high expectations for this house. To be truthful, I was a tad let down when finally walking through it. The funny concept barely gets any leverage and the story feels forgotten once you enter the house (shame, considering the hilarious preshow). I would be lying though, if I said this house was terrible. A few fun sight gags, and some good makeup help out with the presentation. Overall, this house is a fun experience but doesn't go too far when compared to the houses farther up on this list.
PsychoScareapy; Echoes of Shadybrook:
Feel nervous about the name? Well as scary as the name of this house sounds, the house itself is scarier. The setup inside a haunted insane asylum is great, especially the way the house opens. You go from being outside of the asylum itself (which, by the looks of it, is going insane) to inside a mountain of madness! The interior sets are pretty cool, as are the scares, especially with a few "Shocking" moments here and there. The only major problem is the lack of memorability here. There really is not much that sets this house apart from an average haunted house, although the use of a Psychoward is pretty cool.
Catacombs; Black Death Rising:
As far as haunted houses go, this one is pretty dark. You spend half the house traipsing through black tunnels where any creature could be lurking in the wall, blending in. (or, in some cases, above you) The scares in this house are fun, and the makeup design is pretty good. Definitely one to check out.
Legendary Truth; The Wyandot Estate:
While most houses nowadays strive for intense jump scares and impressive make-up effects, Legendary Truth takes a more low key style and makes alot out of it. The best way to describe the feeling of walking through this house is like an old episode of Scooby Doo. Walking through corridors of a decrepit mansion where, at any corner, something could fly out at you. Rather than focusing on scare performers that are fully dressed up, these costumes are very low key. They are also supplemented with great lighting and some very impressive visual effects (hint: look down as you enter the first corridor). Legendary Truth makes the most out of nothing with it's elaborate sets and unique effects.
Havoc; Dogs of War:
While Havoc is #3 on my list of houses, this is by far the scariest house of the group. Anyone who has been unnerved by the claustrophobicness of sci-fi horror like Alien and Event Horizon will be terrified at this house, set in a particularly similar style. A group of mutated soldiers (some of the grossest make-up effects in my opinion) are on this loose throughout this futuristic facility and are at every corner. To make matters worse are flashing lights and incredibly loud noises that give jump scares a new meaning here. Not too mention that this is one of the more hard core houses in terms of violence and special effects.
Hades; The Gates of Ruin:
By far the best make-up of all 8 houses. This sends you screaming back through greek mythology and I must admit, the costumes and sets are amazing. Appearances from Medusa, Minotaur, and Hades himself highlight this impressive house.
HHN; The Hallow'd Past:
This is, out of all 8 houses, the BEST. Basically, the Hallow'd Past takes all of the famous character from HHN's past and pt them together in one house. Guests meet; The Caretaker, Jack The Clowm, and Malice in Wonderland (among some) in this twisted maze of hell. Impressive sets, ranging from prop warehouses and a maze of mirrors, twisted special effects, a spinning tunnel and fog, and great make-up effects prove that this is the best house of the group. Also, the scares here are genuine, second only to Havoc. Definitely a must visit.
