Topher's Log

HHN XXV WEEK TWO UPDATE

9/26/2015

Greetings internet dwellers!

It is time once again to discuss the houses and Scare Zones of HHN XXV. I have now officially been through all nine houses. We still need some time in the Scare Zones, to just soak it all in and look around. HHN XXV is a very strong year. There is a lot of stuff to just look at.

The majority of the houses are strong. There have been some tweaks both in the Scare Zones, and houses since our visit last week. A few new characters roaming around. They have added Freddy and Jason in Die-In finally. Psychoscareapy, has added a few different trick or treaters as well.

Let's talk houses. The range this year, runs the gamut. We have two really awful houses, a few in the middle, and a few epic ones. There have been some improvements within some of the houses as well.

CURRENT HOUSE RANKINGS

9. THE WALKING DEAD: THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

CURRENT RATING: 1/5

Holy, Moses, this house is awful. I am not one to hate on this property. I have maintained since the beginning of The Walking Dead era, if the house is done right, I don't care if the property is used at the event. The Living and the Dead, is just as bad, if not worse, than the first Walking Dead house. It seems like they may have had grand plans for the house, but perhaps budget and time constraints got in the way. Not a whole lot to like in here. If you aren't a fan of the show, you will get nothing out of it. Just poorly executed. I can't see this house improving much, over the course of the event. Just a complete epic fail.

8. THE PURGE

CURRENT RATING: 2/5

There is a novelty to The Purge, that gives it a slight edge over The Walking Dead for me. I don't think it is a secret anymore that this was supposed to be Scream. The funniest thing for me with The Purge, is noticing all of the Scream sets. Still, there is nothing quite to this house. It is random. Spray paint and strobe lights, can't really save The Purge. There were one or two elements that I dug. Other than that, The Purge is really rather bland.

7. ASYLUM IN WONDERLAND 3D

CURRENT RATING: 3/5

I liked Asylum. I didn't love Asylum. The house was fun. It was colorful. It was in 3D. Sort of. I feel like I missed something in here. Contrary to what I was being told, this is NOT the best 3D house HHN has ever done. It is colorful, and I liked some of the crazy characters walking around. I still felt Asylum was rather plain. Not enough scares, and not enough of everything else going on. I have only done this once, so perhaps my next visits will change my mind. For now, I didn't really get enough out of Asylum. It was just OK.

6. RUN: BLOOD, SWEAT AND FEARS

CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5

Run, continues to be fun. The house really makes no sense, and is insane. It is colorful, and the vibe makes for a good time. I just wish the scares were a little bit more in here. Still, it is a whole lot of fun, and the actors are really into their parts which is a good thing.

5. AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5

A slight improvement over the first time through, yet still missing the flow and intensity of the original house. There is just not the same intensity flowing throughout the house. The new puppets, while impressive looking, are really quite stiff. I am not sure if the puppeteers are just not handling them properly, or the puppets themselves don't have the range of movement that the original ones had. I still like the house. It is impressive to look at, just not as intense as the original house.

4. INSIDIOUS

CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5

The actors upped their game in here. I still feel the start of the house is weak, but man, once it gets going, it really gets going. Still very creepy. Love the effects in here. I would like to say that on my run through Friday, one of the house attendants ushering guests along, was standing IN FRONT of a major house effect, blocking the view. This, is unacceptable.

3. BODY COLLECTORS: RECOLLECTIONS

CURRENT RATING: 5/5

Still wonderful. I really, really dig the vibe in here. It is creepy, scary, and pretty to look at. The run through on Friday was a little less intense than the first time around, however, it is still top notch, and is a CAN'T MISS house.

2. FREDDY VS. JASON

CURRENT RATING: 5/5

They added more Jason's, and more Freddy's. They are EVERYWHERE in here. The run through on Friday was INTENSE. Even more so than the first time through last week. Just a phenomenal house from every standpoint. The screens work really well, considering it is dependent on timing of the actor's and you. And, it is a lot of fun.

1. JACK PRESENTS: 25 YEARS OF MONSTERS & MAYHEM

CURRENT RATING: 5/5

My top 3 can all be interchanged for number one. However, Mayhem still does it for me every time. They finally added the Jack's in here. It didn't even matter that he wasn't in here the first time around. Just a wonderful trip down HHN memory lane, with some truly unique and intense scares. The bear is currently outshining the American Werewolf puppets. That should say something. Great house from start to finish.

CURRENT SCARE ZONE RANKINGS

5. SCARY TALES: SCREAMPUNK

CURRENT RATING: 2/5

Still nothing to write home about in here. Great potential on paper, but poorly executed and realized.

4. ICONS: HHN

CURRENT RATING: 4/5

Still a fun place to walk around, and interact. The vignettes are fun, and there are a few Icon actor's who really standout. Incredible fun.

3. EVIL'S ROOTS

CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5

Finally. The crowds were light on Thursday and Friday. I was able to actually walk through here. They added Ghillie suit guys in here as well. Love the look, tone, and actors in here. Very atmospheric.

2. PSYCHOSCAREAPY: UNLEASHED

CURRENT RATING: 5/5

Psychoscareapy, is a whole lot of fun. The Scareactor's are incredible, and they bring it every time. They are so interactive with everyone too.

1. ALL NITE DIE-IN: DOUBLE FEATURE

CURRENT RATING: 5/5

The Scareactor's in Die-In are awesome. They are intense, and really into their roles. They finally added Freddy and Jason on Thursday and Friday as well. Can't wait to see if they have any other surprises waiting in the wings.

ROAMING HORDES

These have been a really great idea. I especially love the clowns in Springfield. They fill in the gaps nicely. Always nice to run into the CDT from time to time as well.

Well, that's it for this week. I will return next Thursday and Friday for more HHN goodness. Hopefully, I will get to see Bill & Ted, as well as watch The Carnage Returns. I've seen snippets of the show, but not in its entirety. Until next time HHN fans.

Hasta la Bye-bye for now.

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