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Nemesis: Sub-Terra Discussion (**contains spoilers**)
- Thread starter Blizzard
- Start date
Stelios
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
After riding the improved ride today, many guests (including me) have been complaning of ringing ears. I'd crank the volume down a tiny notch and add a extra scare to make up for it. Too much overhype noise to make more fear did work but has left a bitter aftertaste. It's a good filler ride but isn't worth it's current 40+ minute waits.
Love the new and improved sub terra, it is one of my favourite flat rides now. It will make me keep queuing for it, the best part is got to be the new maze at the end, amazing as you come down and they are in our face, the main camber of the ride has change for the better two, this will give you an amazing feeling when dropping and the loud sound from the monster in your ear. if you go on it for the first time, then brace your self for this amazing experience !! ;D
Rowe
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Matterhorn Blitz (with an Aperol Spritz!)
Despite the flaws and setbacks I've experienced the last two times that I've visited Sub Terra at Alton Towers, I do hold a soft spot for the experience which I guess is down to my love for dark rides just as much as Nemesis' back story! It's a lovely attraction deep down (See what I did there?) and I really do look forward to my next visit at the weekend 
I have been on the first incarnation and second... Awaiting to get in the newest one!
I enjoy the ride immensely, even if it is because it simply shows Alton towers trying to improve where they failed miserably!
The first incarnation, was just awful, you were rushed through, no experience you got off thinking "was that it?"
Properly pacing a ride increases the experience tenfold, and sub terra is proof of this.
I enjoy the ride immensely, even if it is because it simply shows Alton towers trying to improve where they failed miserably!
The first incarnation, was just awful, you were rushed through, no experience you got off thinking "was that it?"
Properly pacing a ride increases the experience tenfold, and sub terra is proof of this.
Rollercoasters4Life
TS Member
Stelios said:
Agreed, I went on it twice on my last visit and my ears were ringing for a few minutes after I had come off. Overall, though the attraction is much improved.
EuroSatch
TS Member
Sub-Terra V2.0 is a much improved attraction in comparison to what was first delivered at opening. The narrative flows much better through the experience, and the exit lift - which I initially despised - works perfectly now, with the feeling that the you have left the impending doom in the central chamber and are surfacing to safety, right up until the very last level when the attack begins.
The countdown to self destruct is also a nice touch, and reminded me of the original Alien film. However, I maintain reservations on the bottom chamber - nothing is happening apart from a disco - and the batching actors. The added ending, well... I believe Towers are still working on it to fine tune what exactly the intention is.
Well don Towers for putting the effort in and saving it from being a white elephant
The countdown to self destruct is also a nice touch, and reminded me of the original Alien film. However, I maintain reservations on the bottom chamber - nothing is happening apart from a disco - and the batching actors. The added ending, well... I believe Towers are still working on it to fine tune what exactly the intention is.
Well don Towers for putting the effort in and saving it from being a white elephant
A
Anonymous
Re-Rode this again since opening and can honestly say it scared me. The live actors at the end did theyre job very well along with the lound noises and bangs and the ride chamber itself is looking sexy. Im glad all the effects are also working in the main chamber now audio, leg ticklers and sprays of water it really does enhance the experience. Also love the use of smoke throghout the lifts and ride chamber itself makes it look somewhat mysterious!
Big thumbs up Alton! You deserve it after the hick up at the start of the season! Well Done.
Big thumbs up Alton! You deserve it after the hick up at the start of the season! Well Done.
Sammy
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Untamed - Walibi Holland
Slightly wary about posting this, as literally a matter of hours after I last posted it a certain other forum came crashing down ...
Anyway, as one of the original Sub-Terra Apologists, having never expressed my views on here is almost a crime! So, I feel now is a better time than any to do it!
So here is my basic run down of opinions of the attraction, broken into sections;
Queue-line+Batching Area -
The queue line is satisfactory, the most that can be made of it, already has been really, and it builds up to the attraction rather nicely. My only complaint is the TV's... An attraction of only 3 months in age, with broken queue TV's is a joke really! They need to make sure all screens and speakers work correctly otherwise this really lets the attraction down in this area!
Now, as for the batching, this needs a complete re think! Obviously this area wasn't previously used to hold people before they added the video as you just walked straight into the pre lift room. However, now that you are being gathered there prior to the video, there needs to be much more space, it is far too crowded and people can't freely get to the Baggage Drop Point. All it would take would be to move the gates at the end of the queues back a few meters and as stated above by AstroDan add a cover to the area, some scaffolding and canvas would be completely fine for this! The other point I have to make is, while waiting here, you hear every word of the pre-show video, which I have heard some people complain about, what with having to hear it twice. This could be solved by adding some sort of repeated announcement to the batching area and some proper sliding doors to the building, also by adding audio to this area, it could also help to give the impression of a longer attraction duration.
Pre-Show
* Video Room
The video is a great addition as it acts as a proper introduction to the attraction and sets the scene perfectly. The problem with this area, is the staff and their current attitude problem! The video and all videos previous to it in the queue line are welcoming and state that civilians are welcomed into the facility... So this begs the question, why are the staff so far off the mark with this, telling guests they are ugly and need to get a hair cut! This still needs rethinking. They merely need to be strict but calm, explaining the entry procedure to the public in a firm voice, then stand at the back of the room with their hands tucked behind their back and stare at the front!
* Entry Lift
This in my opinion is now perfect and very little needs to be done, perhaps the addition of a little more vibration in the floor.
* Cave Tunnel
The added dripping water audio here works well, I particularly like how you are sometimes held here for a moment before the Observation Chamber doors open. I feel they should make this a permanent feature and maybe add another announcement to the area using the female voice. Something like "Observation Chamber preparation in progress, the doors will open shortly. When the doors open, proceed to your seats in a calm and orderly fashion. Thank you."
Central Core/Main Show
Well, what can I say, this is such an improvement on before, the first announcement/video section is much better and gives a far more solid introduction to the egg and nicely continues the stories narrative! It builds up the tension perfectly amongst the group who sit rather apprehensively around the room, and then, everything gets going! The change in the lighting colour from blue to red, the loud bang, heavy base and the power failure never fails to get a few people screaming, then with the return of the water and added flashing lights and noise coupled with the newer sequence of the broken egg the scene is fantastically set for disaster to strike!
And then… You drop. Now, here is my only problem with the new main show, the bottom chamber is still lacking in a proper scream out loud scare! However the new lighting as you drop is much better and enhances the sense of falling, it also allows for a much better view of the bottom scene. The water, back pokers, neck breath, seat speakers/surround sound and leg ticklers all work fantastically together to create a real sense of the unknown with the creature. However I really do think that on the way back up some sort of Eye animatronic should flash up in your face to provide a real jump moment and get people really screaming.
Now, the escape is possibly the biggest improvement in this area, there is a real impression of impending doom and danger and people really do now rush for the exit with the countdown gradually getting lower and lower. The strobe, smoke, wind, siren and air blasts just finish it off nicely, giving a really disorientating and rather stressful dramatic rush to safety in the lifts!
Post Show/Escape Lift
Again, an massive step up from the original! People truly think they are safe the moment the doors close and they hear that explosion and the immense roar of the creature and the lift begins to ascend rapidly to the surface! Then once again, disaster strikes, a loud bang and a jolt in the lift complete with collapsing panels followed by complete darkness! By now people are really screaming as they take yet more air blasts to the face and are shaken rather violently as the lift is ‘attacked’. Then as the lights come back up and Nemesis gives up it’s rather relentless onslaught against the guests the lift is filled with smoke and people are cowering in corners truly frozen on the spot. A fantastic end to the attraction… Or so most think!
Quarantine Finale
So as people start to come round from their panic following the attack on the lift, the doors open and yet more screams commence as a Phalanx Operative complete with gasmask storms into the lift shining a torch through the smoke. As you are ushered out of the lift you enter a darkened corridor and make your way into the Quarantine Zone ready for decontamination. Now, at the moment as much as it’s a great improvement, it still needs some further improvement. It’s a little confusing as there is virtually zero narrative to explain the situation. A louder announcement explaining the decontamination is needed accompanied by a better sign above the entrance.
Now the ‘maze’ itself is great, yet more strobes, loud bangs and air cannons fill the corridor as you make your way past the metal cages lining the side of the room. The fact that there are now sections of this fence cut out to allow the actors to lean in is a great addition, though it would be even better if they were able to suddenly get through completely into the passageway. However I will settle for what we have. Thus far the maze is very good, but once you pass the actors and strobes it’s a bit of a none event, just a dark zig-zag through flaps and low hanging fabric that can easily be lifted up! Granted there is audio, but there’s zero atmospheric lighting or real substance to this section. I feel an air filled wall similar to that seen in the Carnival last year would work better than the fabric, accompanied by strobes or some flashing red lights and maybe and other actor to really make people run out of the exit. Though I guess we shall see what further improvements are made here, if any at all!
So, to conclude… Sub Terra 2.0… FANTASTIC IMO. It’s no longer an embarrassment to the park and it gets a much more positive review on the whole from the public! So hats off to Towers for going back and changing it!
Nemesis Sub-Terra will certainly be a must do attraction for me on any visit, and I look forward to seeing if any further changes/improvements are made!
YAY TERRY <3
...Anyway, as one of the original Sub-Terra Apologists, having never expressed my views on here is almost a crime! So, I feel now is a better time than any to do it!
So here is my basic run down of opinions of the attraction, broken into sections;
Queue-line+Batching Area -
The queue line is satisfactory, the most that can be made of it, already has been really, and it builds up to the attraction rather nicely. My only complaint is the TV's... An attraction of only 3 months in age, with broken queue TV's is a joke really! They need to make sure all screens and speakers work correctly otherwise this really lets the attraction down in this area!
Now, as for the batching, this needs a complete re think! Obviously this area wasn't previously used to hold people before they added the video as you just walked straight into the pre lift room. However, now that you are being gathered there prior to the video, there needs to be much more space, it is far too crowded and people can't freely get to the Baggage Drop Point. All it would take would be to move the gates at the end of the queues back a few meters and as stated above by AstroDan add a cover to the area, some scaffolding and canvas would be completely fine for this! The other point I have to make is, while waiting here, you hear every word of the pre-show video, which I have heard some people complain about, what with having to hear it twice. This could be solved by adding some sort of repeated announcement to the batching area and some proper sliding doors to the building, also by adding audio to this area, it could also help to give the impression of a longer attraction duration.
Pre-Show
* Video Room
The video is a great addition as it acts as a proper introduction to the attraction and sets the scene perfectly. The problem with this area, is the staff and their current attitude problem! The video and all videos previous to it in the queue line are welcoming and state that civilians are welcomed into the facility... So this begs the question, why are the staff so far off the mark with this, telling guests they are ugly and need to get a hair cut! This still needs rethinking. They merely need to be strict but calm, explaining the entry procedure to the public in a firm voice, then stand at the back of the room with their hands tucked behind their back and stare at the front!
* Entry Lift
This in my opinion is now perfect and very little needs to be done, perhaps the addition of a little more vibration in the floor.
* Cave Tunnel
The added dripping water audio here works well, I particularly like how you are sometimes held here for a moment before the Observation Chamber doors open. I feel they should make this a permanent feature and maybe add another announcement to the area using the female voice. Something like "Observation Chamber preparation in progress, the doors will open shortly. When the doors open, proceed to your seats in a calm and orderly fashion. Thank you."
Central Core/Main Show
Well, what can I say, this is such an improvement on before, the first announcement/video section is much better and gives a far more solid introduction to the egg and nicely continues the stories narrative! It builds up the tension perfectly amongst the group who sit rather apprehensively around the room, and then, everything gets going! The change in the lighting colour from blue to red, the loud bang, heavy base and the power failure never fails to get a few people screaming, then with the return of the water and added flashing lights and noise coupled with the newer sequence of the broken egg the scene is fantastically set for disaster to strike!
And then… You drop. Now, here is my only problem with the new main show, the bottom chamber is still lacking in a proper scream out loud scare! However the new lighting as you drop is much better and enhances the sense of falling, it also allows for a much better view of the bottom scene. The water, back pokers, neck breath, seat speakers/surround sound and leg ticklers all work fantastically together to create a real sense of the unknown with the creature. However I really do think that on the way back up some sort of Eye animatronic should flash up in your face to provide a real jump moment and get people really screaming.
Now, the escape is possibly the biggest improvement in this area, there is a real impression of impending doom and danger and people really do now rush for the exit with the countdown gradually getting lower and lower. The strobe, smoke, wind, siren and air blasts just finish it off nicely, giving a really disorientating and rather stressful dramatic rush to safety in the lifts!
Post Show/Escape Lift
Again, an massive step up from the original! People truly think they are safe the moment the doors close and they hear that explosion and the immense roar of the creature and the lift begins to ascend rapidly to the surface! Then once again, disaster strikes, a loud bang and a jolt in the lift complete with collapsing panels followed by complete darkness! By now people are really screaming as they take yet more air blasts to the face and are shaken rather violently as the lift is ‘attacked’. Then as the lights come back up and Nemesis gives up it’s rather relentless onslaught against the guests the lift is filled with smoke and people are cowering in corners truly frozen on the spot. A fantastic end to the attraction… Or so most think!
Quarantine Finale
So as people start to come round from their panic following the attack on the lift, the doors open and yet more screams commence as a Phalanx Operative complete with gasmask storms into the lift shining a torch through the smoke. As you are ushered out of the lift you enter a darkened corridor and make your way into the Quarantine Zone ready for decontamination. Now, at the moment as much as it’s a great improvement, it still needs some further improvement. It’s a little confusing as there is virtually zero narrative to explain the situation. A louder announcement explaining the decontamination is needed accompanied by a better sign above the entrance.
Now the ‘maze’ itself is great, yet more strobes, loud bangs and air cannons fill the corridor as you make your way past the metal cages lining the side of the room. The fact that there are now sections of this fence cut out to allow the actors to lean in is a great addition, though it would be even better if they were able to suddenly get through completely into the passageway. However I will settle for what we have
. Thus far the maze is very good, but once you pass the actors and strobes it’s a bit of a none event, just a dark zig-zag through flaps and low hanging fabric that can easily be lifted up! Granted there is audio, but there’s zero atmospheric lighting or real substance to this section. I feel an air filled wall similar to that seen in the Carnival last year would work better than the fabric, accompanied by strobes or some flashing red lights and maybe and other actor to really make people run out of the exit. Though I guess we shall see what further improvements are made here, if any at all!So, to conclude… Sub Terra 2.0… FANTASTIC IMO. It’s no longer an embarrassment to the park and it gets a much more positive review on the whole from the public! So hats off to Towers for going back and changing it!
Nemesis Sub-Terra will certainly be a must do attraction for me on any visit, and I look forward to seeing if any further changes/improvements are made!
YAY TERRY <3
Dave
TS Founding Member
Was disappointed that a friend went the other day and didn't like new Sub-Terra but a ride like this will never please everyone.
My favorite part of "New" Sub-Terra is the for want of a better word "3 endings" effect, its fun to see people get out of the main chamber a bit buzzed but you still get the odd "is that it?" remark... then the lift attack happens and people start to scream, then when that finishes you get a sense that people relax into the impression the ride is over only to have the doors open and the experience continue... I think people opinions depend on how long they queue but it is definitely worthy of a 30min queue.
That compared to opening day when i didn't think it was worth wasting the time you spent in there.
My favorite part of "New" Sub-Terra is the for want of a better word "3 endings" effect, its fun to see people get out of the main chamber a bit buzzed but you still get the odd "is that it?" remark... then the lift attack happens and people start to scream, then when that finishes you get a sense that people relax into the impression the ride is over only to have the doors open and the experience continue... I think people opinions depend on how long they queue but it is definitely worthy of a 30min queue.
That compared to opening day when i didn't think it was worth wasting the time you spent in there.
Stevie
TS Member
Even though I absolutely adore this attraction, and I think it's brilliant, the best dark ride we've had in years! I still think there could be more tweaks to make it perfect.
I'd love to see in the Observation Chamber, a sort of shield around the egg, blocking it out. So when the audio comes on, it raises, along with some smoke and lights, to reveal the egg. A bit like Alien Encounter. Then it carries on as normal.
Something that wouldn't cost too much, just an animatronic cylinder surrounding the egg along with an adjusted audio sequence. It's something I'd love to see!
I'd love to see in the Observation Chamber, a sort of shield around the egg, blocking it out. So when the audio comes on, it raises, along with some smoke and lights, to reveal the egg. A bit like Alien Encounter. Then it carries on as normal.
Something that wouldn't cost too much, just an animatronic cylinder surrounding the egg along with an adjusted audio sequence. It's something I'd love to see!
Andrew
TS Contributor
Now that the main alterations have been made on the attraction, many people believe that it is a fun ride which offers some good scares.
There are, of course, the select view that just like to moan...
A few improvements that could be made are:
There are, of course, the select view that just like to moan...
A few improvements that could be made are:
- More actors in the tunnel leading up to the Observation Chamber so that everyone knows where they are sitting, and so that it still feels like you are in a real facility. i.e. You would not be left alone at any point in case anything went wrong
- On busy days, more actors could patrol the queue line telling people to stop kissing etc, similar to the batching area further ahead in the ride. This would also make riders more immersed in the experience.
BigAl
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Forbidden Journey
Had my first go on Sub-Terra the other day. I enjoyed it, but didn't find it in the least bit scary. And that drop is so, so depressing. It really is a case of "blink and you'll miss it" with the drop, and for a supposedly scary ride, the ride section itself just isn't strong enough in my opinion. The effects were good, although it's blatantly obvious that the lift supposedly going down isn't real, which is disappointing as the lift coming back up is actually pretty good.
I'd go on the ride again but only when the queue is no more than 35 minutes. I give Sub Terra 6.8/10.
I'd go on the ride again but only when the queue is no more than 35 minutes. I give Sub Terra 6.8/10.
Had my first go on the 'new' Sub Terra today and I thought it was amazing. Totally unrecognisable from what it was like before.
The first lift was more convincing, and the sequence in the chamber is honestly brilliant. I also experienced the back pokers etc for the first time. I was truly terrified, and the countdown as you leave is brilliant and created a real panic!
Again the exit lifts were much better with smoke, and then when the actors come in with the torches like a flashlight, it creates such a buzz.
The exit maze is then not so much a scare maze as an "escape route" which is fine, it definitely kept the tension high.
I then decided to pop in for one last ride of the day. It turned out there were only 3 of us on the whole thing and what followed was one of the scariest experiences I've had. Firstly, they spread us out a bit on the tower, and the chamber itself was the same. But then the exit route took on a whole new form. We were essentially trapped in the lift by these two actors, coming up to us, which was truly terrifying. We were then allowed to continue, but as we were the last ones and so few of us, they followed us through the maze, with nowhere to escape. It was honestly incredible. To top it off, it ended with me ending up right at the end, just about to turn round the finally turn and feeling tugged back, one of the actors from behind the fence had grabbed my hood and wouldn't let go! As someone who usually hates scare things, I've formed a sort of feeling where I hate to love it. I don't like being scared, but the experience itself is so good.
I was also amazed at the ridiculous amount of strobes now on the ride!
One of my favourite rides in the park, oh and on the first ride a grown women ran out crying, I think it has now achieved its aim of scaring people s#!?less! And if you had asked me if I thought I'd say that before today, I would've laughed.
Loved it.
The first lift was more convincing, and the sequence in the chamber is honestly brilliant. I also experienced the back pokers etc for the first time. I was truly terrified, and the countdown as you leave is brilliant and created a real panic!
Again the exit lifts were much better with smoke, and then when the actors come in with the torches like a flashlight, it creates such a buzz.
The exit maze is then not so much a scare maze as an "escape route" which is fine, it definitely kept the tension high.
I then decided to pop in for one last ride of the day. It turned out there were only 3 of us on the whole thing and what followed was one of the scariest experiences I've had. Firstly, they spread us out a bit on the tower, and the chamber itself was the same. But then the exit route took on a whole new form. We were essentially trapped in the lift by these two actors, coming up to us, which was truly terrifying. We were then allowed to continue, but as we were the last ones and so few of us, they followed us through the maze, with nowhere to escape. It was honestly incredible. To top it off, it ended with me ending up right at the end, just about to turn round the finally turn and feeling tugged back, one of the actors from behind the fence had grabbed my hood and wouldn't let go! As someone who usually hates scare things, I've formed a sort of feeling where I hate to love it. I don't like being scared, but the experience itself is so good.
I was also amazed at the ridiculous amount of strobes now on the ride!
One of my favourite rides in the park, oh and on the first ride a grown women ran out crying, I think it has now achieved its aim of scaring people s#!?less! And if you had asked me if I thought I'd say that before today, I would've laughed.
Loved it.
Andrew
TS Contributor
One of my friends, who is highly critical of things, rode Sub Terra, and then commented on my Facebook picture of the Stag saying:
"Sub Terra is so good."
This one simple sentence shows me how much the attraction has improved, and that people now enjoy it!
Well done Alton again!
EDIT: To add a little bit extra on, he said that he didn't know what to expect and nearly had a heart attack. I think it's quite scary for some people...
"Sub Terra is so good.
"This one simple sentence shows me how much the attraction has improved, and that people now enjoy it!
Well done Alton again!
EDIT: To add a little bit extra on, he said that he didn't know what to expect and nearly had a heart attack. I think it's quite scary for some people...
Rob
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, but I have just come across this article by the people responsible for making the videos found in Nemesis Sub-Terra. There's not too much that we don't already know, but I do find it a little concerning that the videos were only commissioned for production 6 weeks prior to opening. To me that shows how late this project was conceived.