Barnaby Simpson
TS Member
Reviews on the four Mazes Ahead NO SPOILERS :
Darkest Depths
In a new location this year, this maze proved to be very different in terms of layout, yet keeping practically the same scenes throughout with a few changes. The most notable change was the finale, which visually was more impressive but in terms of scares yet did not feel very climatic, leading to us being surprised it was the ending. Also, this year it feels much shorter than last year and generally feels empty of actors; there were only about 10 actors throughout the whole maze in our run through. However, the sets remained very detailed (apart from the occasional black plywood wall) and there were some really impressive large scenes throughout which had you looking in all directions. There was a definite increase in size of sets than last year, meaning this maze is visually even better looking than last year. However, it is not very scary at all. Overall score: 5/10
Altonville Mine Tours: Legend of the Skinsnatchers
This maze remained virtually the same in terms of layout this year, however in my opinion it really suffered from the fact that the actors could not touch you. The actors visibly were trying to keep a distance and therefore the maze was nowhere near as intense as previous years, as they kind of just watched you walk through each scene and occasionally shout at you. Hopefully they keep this maze until the pandemic is over and they can touch you again, as it really is a great maze. Also, hardly any of the actors were actually wearing the stitched-skin masks; on both my run-throughs only one actor in the same scene actually had this mask on, which is a shame because those masks are really creepy and would be effective in the current pandemic. Overall score: 5/10
The Attic: Terror of the Towers
My run-through was the last of the night in this, so it may be different to other people's reviews. As there was no one else in the queue (we arrived at 9:00p.m. as the last maze; I think they were shutting but let us in anyway) each scene was paced at just the right speed for us. The pre-show remains an impressive display of visual effects and storytelling, and once you are in The Attic itself the actors are some of the liveliest of them all this year, with many sudden jump-scares and terrifying scenes. We counted about 17 actors throughout just the attic part itself, and by the penultimate scene there were 4 actors all in one room (including one who jumped me so much that I fell to the floor) which really contributed to the build up to the terrifying encounter at the finale, which offered a great ending to an overall great maze. Although there were some areas of slightly sparse theming, this maze was overall very impressive and once again showed how great story-based mazes can be. Overall Score: 8/10
Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
Possibly the exact opposite to every attribute of The Attic; this maze proved to be the best of the night. Although it follows no specific story, it launches you into a chaotic party of weapon-wielding freaks who have the energy to chase you through every scene. This maze is probably the longest out of them all, and is absolutely packed with actors who are full of energy and pop out of nowhere. Furthermore, the theming of this maze is actually really good, including stages, bright-coloured props and a load of other props which add to the feel of a 'junkyard'. The finale of this maze is so fun; including the music, actors, (scary) props and chaotic lighting, it will leave you running out of the end in fear and excitement. Overall Score: 9/10
Darkest Depths
In a new location this year, this maze proved to be very different in terms of layout, yet keeping practically the same scenes throughout with a few changes. The most notable change was the finale, which visually was more impressive but in terms of scares yet did not feel very climatic, leading to us being surprised it was the ending. Also, this year it feels much shorter than last year and generally feels empty of actors; there were only about 10 actors throughout the whole maze in our run through. However, the sets remained very detailed (apart from the occasional black plywood wall) and there were some really impressive large scenes throughout which had you looking in all directions. There was a definite increase in size of sets than last year, meaning this maze is visually even better looking than last year. However, it is not very scary at all. Overall score: 5/10
Altonville Mine Tours: Legend of the Skinsnatchers
This maze remained virtually the same in terms of layout this year, however in my opinion it really suffered from the fact that the actors could not touch you. The actors visibly were trying to keep a distance and therefore the maze was nowhere near as intense as previous years, as they kind of just watched you walk through each scene and occasionally shout at you. Hopefully they keep this maze until the pandemic is over and they can touch you again, as it really is a great maze. Also, hardly any of the actors were actually wearing the stitched-skin masks; on both my run-throughs only one actor in the same scene actually had this mask on, which is a shame because those masks are really creepy and would be effective in the current pandemic. Overall score: 5/10
The Attic: Terror of the Towers
My run-through was the last of the night in this, so it may be different to other people's reviews. As there was no one else in the queue (we arrived at 9:00p.m. as the last maze; I think they were shutting but let us in anyway) each scene was paced at just the right speed for us. The pre-show remains an impressive display of visual effects and storytelling, and once you are in The Attic itself the actors are some of the liveliest of them all this year, with many sudden jump-scares and terrifying scenes. We counted about 17 actors throughout just the attic part itself, and by the penultimate scene there were 4 actors all in one room (including one who jumped me so much that I fell to the floor) which really contributed to the build up to the terrifying encounter at the finale, which offered a great ending to an overall great maze. Although there were some areas of slightly sparse theming, this maze was overall very impressive and once again showed how great story-based mazes can be. Overall Score: 8/10
Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
Possibly the exact opposite to every attribute of The Attic; this maze proved to be the best of the night. Although it follows no specific story, it launches you into a chaotic party of weapon-wielding freaks who have the energy to chase you through every scene. This maze is probably the longest out of them all, and is absolutely packed with actors who are full of energy and pop out of nowhere. Furthermore, the theming of this maze is actually really good, including stages, bright-coloured props and a load of other props which add to the feel of a 'junkyard'. The finale of this maze is so fun; including the music, actors, (scary) props and chaotic lighting, it will leave you running out of the end in fear and excitement. Overall Score: 9/10