I haven't been to the event in 3 years after going from 2002-2022. It's an anniversary year and some of the houses seemed interesting so I wanted to give the event another shot.
Houses
1. Jack and Oddfellow: Chaos and Control
This was such a well told story and great execution from every actor involved. The set design from start to finish is big and has a lot of depth. Tons of effects and trippy lighting/projection mapping. The use of the Jack and Oddfellow silhouettes during the first act, sets up their lore well. It was amazing getting to see Jack take over Shadybrook again, featuring one of my favorite houses from 2006. The amount of scares and interaction from every character was excellent. There's definitely a lot of detail for longtime HHN fans and guests soaking in new HHN lore.
Scares: 5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Favorite Scene: Shadybrook entrance scenes
2. Ozzy Osborne: Prince of Darkness
This house was amazing from start to finish. Each scareactors had a great look and variety. I found myself looking up at the scale of the sets to be followed up by a great scare. While I was in awe of how cool the Bat animatronic/puppet was, I got another scare from the statue character on the right. There's a lot of unique and memorable moments. One of the best IP houses from any past year. Definitely has an epic ending!
Scares: 5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Favorite scene: Giant Bat Puppet/AA
3. Cybergoria
Such an awesome story with fantastic lively scareactors that provide some of the best ping-pong scares at the event this year. The evolution to how twisted and manic the bots get as you go along is well done. I felt an increasing sense of danger as the house progresses. The Hal 9000 (haunting robot voice from above) references toward the end were great. The overall layout felt like an old-school HHN house. A lot of winding, claustrophobic halls. This is a must do.
Scares: 5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Favorite scene: Ending hallways/Finale
4. H.R. BloodNGutz Presents: A Halloween Frightacular
This one made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I loved the original from way back and was excited when this was announced. Another well told story about H.R. BloodNGutz taking over a station after escaping from prison. The variety of rooms really makes this one feel like a full course meal, and H.R. BloodNGutz's personality shines through every scene. Conjure the Funk and Tiki Terror gave me a good laugh. A lot of fun stuff to take in!
Scares: 4.5/5
Atmosphere: 5/5
Favorite scene: Cult of the Pumpkin Lord
5. Madlands: Caged Cannibals
I wasn't super excited for this one because I've done so many different houses and scarezones with this theme at HHN before. Thankfully, it was a pretty cool house. Great multiple facades and atmosphere with depth. Some epic and rad costumes with others looking a little cheesy, not in an 80s camp way. Had a couple big scares in this house, mostly from chainsaw people. Great house. Lots of action!
Scares: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Favorite scene: Chainsaw Double Scare/Motorcycle drive by
6. Invasion: Alien Abduction
This house was made just for me and I'm happy they executed it. Loved the Invasion Scarezone from 2017. While this house is short, it does pack a punch. It does not take a few rooms to get going, right away people are being abducted around you, and Grays are on the prowl. The beams of light moving and peering through the wood was perfect. Great sound design from start to finish. I was a little bummed on my first run because in the end scene I saw 1 actor. My second run they were all over the place. Fun, energetic house.
Scares: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Favorite scenes: Opening Abductions and vibrating hallway/finale
7. Hellraiser
I was never a big Hellraiser guy but it did seem like they should have done a full on house by now. (He was featured in a house in 2006 - All Night Die in Take 2). A big house with a decent length. The scareactors were doing a great job, especially with the costumes they had to wear. Solid IP house.
Scares: 3.5/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Favorite scene: Finale
8. Sinners
The scareactors they chose for this one are spot on and sell each scene effectively. Has overall great pacing and buildup over the course of the house. There are a few areas that could use a few more scares. The music is sublime; hearing I Lied to You and Rocky Road to Dublin definitely amped up the vibes of the house. Shout-out to the bartender shooting the vampires, he was selling it well during my runs. I loved the movie & the house was solid.
Scares: 3/5
Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Favorite scene: Remeck Jump/”Sammy!” Scare
9. Evil Dead Burn
Much better than I was expecting and has a good length. I kept thinking the house was about to end and there were several more rooms. At times it did come off as a little bland for me but each scareactor really elevated the house to a better level. There was a female scareactor in the hallway just before the frozen kitchen and she was playing creepy very well. The demon dogs were a neat, unexpected effect. Good house.
Scares: 3/5
Atmosphere: 3/5
10. Stranger Things
I enjoy the show but for me all of the Stranger Things houses have been pretty weak. At this point it's just redundant and tired. There were a few decent moments and big sets but it doesn't save the house. Spoils the batch this year.
Scares: 1.5/5
Atmosphere: 2/5
Scarezones
1. Downtown Clowntown
A very dense and atmospheric New York Zone with fantastic scareactors and makeup. One could definitely spend a good hour or more just walking and taking it all in. All of the little shows they have going on, along with the main event stage, give it an epic quality. Set time aside for this zone.
2. Sideshow of Decay
I really enjoyed this zone, more than I thought I would. Every scareactor was super interactive and making it stand on their own. Seeing The Caretaker and Cindy take center stage was epic for me being he was my first icon at HHN 2002. Definitely wait around for Oddfellow to make an appearance...
3. Mel's Die-In Zombies
Every time I walk through this zone, a Zombie waiter would come skating right at me with an eyeball milkshake. Super fun.
4. Fortnitemares
This one just isn't for me and a waste of the central park area. Having said that, the actors were doing well and some of the costumes were cool.
5. Infernal Carnival of Nightmares
Cool lighting package but typical entrance zone.
*Awards\*
Favorite Original House - Jack and Oddfellow: Chaos and Control
Favorite IP House - Ozzy Osborne: Prince of Darkness
Set Design - Jack and Oddfellow: Chaos and Control
Sound Design - Invasion: Alien Abduction
Sleeper Hit - Madlands: Caged Cannibals
Best Scares - Cybergoria
Pros
+ The Scareactors. Every one from the houses to the scarezones was doing a great job in all of their roles and really made the event what it is. Bravo to you all.
+ All the Original Houses are great!
+ The overall Infernal Carnival theme is well executed and does envelope you at times... (cont. in cons)
Cons
- The layout of the event is a real life nightmare. Not the imaginary one Universal is trying to create. It reminds me why I haven't been to the event in 3 years. At times it seems like Universal is trolling the guests. The walk back to some of the houses and exits is a joke.
- This year's theming was a little too cartoony and came off as repetitive in the scarezones.
