UPDATED HOUSES AND SCARE ZONE RANKINGS, BILL & TED

Greetings internet dwellers!

Well, I didn't do a full update last Monday for a few reasons. The world has been a crazy place this past week, both privately and publicly. So, I decided to hold off. I did update my rankings last week on Twitter. I just didn't go into detail about them on here.

So, without further delay, lets talk about the updated rankings in more detail.

​HOUSES

Just like always, I will start from the bottom and work my way up to the top. There have been a few major shifts in my rankings. We are pretty in the meat of the event. I don't expect any major, major changes going forward. Still, it is HHN, so anything can happen. I have been through these houses, many, many times now. People ask me about house counts. I don't do that. Just know, it's been a lot. 
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​Let's get started.

9. HIVE

CURRENT RATING: 2.5/5
Like I said before, Hive is dependent on the Scareactor's. It's repetitive environment, just can't overcome the lack of energy and scares in the house. I haven't seen too much improvement in the scare department, which is a shame. I think the house had some real potential, but it ultimately comes up short. We will see how the house fairs sprinting to the event finish line. For now, it remains at the bottom. 

8. THE HORRORS OF BLUMHOUSE (BLUMSIDIOUS)

CURRENT RATING: 3/5
I have decided to give Blumsidious, the benefit of the doubt. While my runs through the house have been a little inconsistent, the cast still gives it. That being said, it is the Insidious parts of the house, that work the best. The Purge and Sinister sections, continue to be the weakest parts. The tacked on feel of the those two properties, just hurt the house. And their shortness, doesn't offer enough time for scares. Still, when the scares are working, the house is fairly decent. 

7. AMERICAN HORROR STORY

CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5
American Horror Story, is not a bad house. It is the most inconsistent house so far at the event, for me. Like last year, the vastness of the house itself, can be its downfall. When the house is populated properly by Scareactor's, it works really well. When there is a cast change, or you miss the scares in the conga-line, or the Scareactor's are oddly not scarring, it can be boring. I have said this many times before, and I will say it again. You can have the best sets in the world, but if it isn't scary, then it doesn't matter. Just walking through the pretty sets isn't enough for me personally.

6. THE SHINING

CURRENT RATING: 4/5
The Shining has upped its game a bit, my last few runs. This has the same problem American Horror Story has. It isn't as big of course, but it's all about the environment. When the scares are scarce, the house can be boring. Yes, cool, we are in the movie. But, scare me. Make an effort to do so. They have tweaked some things the last few weeks, to up the scare factor. Still, a solid house, even with the lack of scares sometimes. Like I said, it's a smaller house than American Horror Story, so some of the dead space doesn't affect you as negatively, because it's shorter periods. Nevertheless, a good house overall. 

5. SAW: THE GAMES OF JIGSAW

CURRENT RATING: 4/5
Saw, is currently the surprise of the event for me. Like Hive, the house suffers a bit from the repetitive problem. However, the difference is in the scares. You are more forgiving of its shortcomings, because of how fun and scary the house can be. The GAT's add an extra dimension to the house as well. The Scareactor's are consistent. And the house can be really scary. It feels like the Scareactor's are finding a good groove in here too. I am finding myself actually wanting to do the house, when I go to the event. Which is a good thing. 

4. ASH VS EVIL DEAD

CURRENT RATING: 4/5
This is probably the most controversial house this year. However, I think when it comes to the IP properties this year, your enthusiasm for a house, may be a bit dependent on your favoritism of the property. I love this series. I adore the films. In a way, I both get the hate for this and don't. The humor aspect of the house, isn't for everyone. However, I think it's a really well done house regardless. It has some good scares, some great sets and some great characters. As a fan of the show, the humor in the house, just ups its joy-factor for me. I unabashedly love this house.   

3. THE FALLEN

CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5
The Fallen, may have dropped a few pegs over the past few weeks. However, I still love the house. The scares, have been a bit inconsistent my last few runs. Nevertheless, the house still ranks high. The top three houses on my list, are all incredibly solid. Got to do this a few times by myself, which for any house is horrifying. 

2. DEAD WATERS

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
So beautiful. Such great scares. I actually ran out the house, during one of my runs this weekend. Dead Waters, is also probably the most consistent house at the event. Whichever cast you get, they still bring it 100 percent. 

1. SCARECROW: THE REAPING

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
The intensity of this house, is unrivaled this year. Scarecrow is creepy, horrifying, fun and exciting. The Scareactor's have really taken advantage of the the close quarters, of the house. The false scares, the jump scares, the sounds, the environment; all gel, to make one horrifying house. This past weekend, I found myself, heading straight for Scarecrow, whenever I could. It is a great house. 

SCARE ZONES

The vast majority of the scare zones, are really great this year. Everyone pretty much gives effort, and the settings, are great.

5. ALTARS OF HORROR

CURRENT RATING: 0/4
​It's not a scare zone.

4. FESTIVAL OF THE DEADLIEST

CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5
Festival, is a lot of fun. The characters are great. The music is great. There is a part of me, that wishes there was a bit more. Nevertheless, it's a fun scare zone. 

3. INVASION!

CURRENT RATING: 4/5
They have added some stuff to the scare zone, which is cool. Some dead aliens, who did not survive the saucer crash, can now be seen around the ship and inside. Yes, it may not be the biggest zone, but it may be the most fun. The alien designs are cool, the actors are very interactive and they actually try to scare you. 

2. TRIC 'R TREAT

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
The design of the scare zone alone, is unrivaled this year. It's a very beautiful scare zone. The characters are great, and it's one of those zones, where you tend to just linger for a while. 

1. THE PURGE

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
Overall, still the best scare zone this year. So much going on in here, it's sensory overload. I love the interactivity in here as well. The auction is always fun, and the Scareactor's like to do some surprising things in here. 

THE SPRINGFIELD CLOWNS

These guys are great. It's the true 5th scare zone this year. Their shenanigans, are a lot of fun to watch. Their scare tactics are great as well. 

SHOWS

Got around to seeing Bill & Ted, as well as the new expanded AOV show. 

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE

Look, the show is a staple of the event. People are going to miss it. I am not one of them. For me, the show, ran it's course 10 years ago. It lost its true sense of parody a long time ago. The obsessed fans ruined this show for me, as well. I haven't found Bill & Ted funny in quite some time. The show this year, is not great. However, it is a solid sendoff for the show. It's bound to make the die-hard fans of it happy. The show will always have a special place in my heart, but I'm glad to see it go. If you like the show, then you will have a good time. Fair warning: don't sit on the sides of the stage. The set this year, obstructs a lot of your line-of-sight. 

ACADEMY OF VILLAINS

The show, is obviously not Afterlife. However, their expanded Irma show, is so much fun. I'm always amazed, at these guys and gals. Their enthusiasm and energy, constantly ooze off the stage. They are a lot of fun, despite having to change their show because of Irma. 

So, that does it for me this week. I return to the event this Thursday. HHN 27, is good year so far. There have been a few surprises, like Saw. I was not expecting to like the house, as much as I do. As per usual, barring any kind of obstruction, I will update again next week. 

You can always follow me on Twitter, for my live reactions at the event, @HHNLegacy. 

​Until then, Hasta La Vista.