So this is probably the most interesting anticipated scare zone list to figure out, a lot of it is throwback heavy to characters and years I never got to experience, so it's all very exciting in that regard and a lot of them are on a even field in terms of hype. Which makes it all the more ironic that in a throwback heavy year for the zones, my number 1 is one of the brand new originals. Go Figure!
1. Seek & Destroy - It's not every year you see a dystopian theme at a haunt, unique themes like that do grab my attention pretty quickly. (Also, I've actually been at a furry convention which ran with a dystopian theme one year, and it actually worked. Granted, it was more on the lighthearted side, but they pulled it off with a lot of moving cameras, a downright oppressive amount of propaganda posters and even using the hotels P.A. system for announcements. Plus a whole underground resistance overthrowing things at closing ceremonies.)
I'm really digging all the set pieces, banners and whatnot set up for this, and depending what goes down in this zone, it could be wonderfully atmospheric. I will admit that costumes are gonna' be pretty key here, since that can separate it from being bad ass or not quite there.
2. Gorewood Forest - It's no secret that HHN 15 was one of the most wonderfully lore-heavy years the event has ever done, a full-on story which connected almost every house and scare zone, as well as creating multiple fan-favorite characters and creatures. Like with most everyone else I'm pretty excited to see a return to this realm, though I'm keeping myself in check since this is a zone which can get a little cramped, that and the atmosphere might be sapped a bit whenever Marathon of Mayhem is running.
3. Lights, Camera, Hacktion: Eddie's Revenge - So here we multiple scare zone throwback plus Eddie and presumably a lot of chainsaws, I can see this making for some fun chaos! They've got plenty of space to do so as well.
4. Crypt TV - So having watched a good chunk of shorts from them, I have to say I am really looking forward to seeing all the various monsters in this zone! It's a good, eccentric lineup, so this can make for a fun atmosphere, especially with all the props and set pieces they've crammed into SF!...however, that's also the biggest Catch-22 with this zone. With all the set pieces and stages that are in this zone, this is gonna' get easily cramped. I won't lie, if this zone was in a bigger space like Hollywood, I'd actually have it much higher on my hype list. But with it being in the smallest area, I have to have it down here solely due to that.
5. 30 Years, 30 Fears - An here we have the entrance/Icon zone, with a impressive truss tower and the classic soundstage marquee sign! I've seen pictures of the sign lit up, and it looks great! I can imagine this is gonna' make a great entry statement for the event, and it'll be nice to see the Icons here. The only reason I have it last in my placement is fairly simple, when it comes to zones...I don't find myself wandering down here often. Most routes I've taken avoid it completely, so I have to go out of my way to see it. I do hope it's nice enough where I find myself heading in there more than a couple times!
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It's a unique mix for the zones this year, and I can confidently say these are the most dressed zones I've seen in a while. Each one really does have the potential of being a fun journey due to that!