We were robbed of a proper house breakdown by Murdy at Midsummer Scream, (
THANKS TCM), although I'd be interested in knowing what had been cut due to budget or other reasons. Universal Monsters is always taking a hit, even as far back as 2018 when this saga began.
Anyway... I was bored, so here's a breakdown of each scene...
for science.. highlighting minor updates or rare/missing scares after the 4-day opening weekend. Spoiler tagged for those that haven't gone yet.
Reader Beware, you're in for a...
Scene 1 - Van Helsing Mausoleum exterior
(Saskia introduction)
Black hallway of doom (with strings)![20240909_144854.jpg 20240909_144854.jpg](https://forums.insideuniversal.net/data/attachments/22/22466-3a7e82f63704c523172b487a0dfe07fa.jpg)
Scene 2 - Coffin Room
vampire attack scare
(Missing scare - above in the wall)
Scene 3 - Weapons room/Dracula's coffin
Bride protects Saskia
(Not always present vampire attack)
Black hallway of doom
![20240909_153609.jpg 20240909_153609.jpg](https://forums.insideuniversal.net/data/attachments/22/22468-cd93308d43405d82c587d155c2f3dc82.jpg)
Scene 4 - She-wolf woods/Blood moon
Saskia shoots She-wolf... (Saskia is now present) + Blood moon screen of terrible imagery
Black hallway of doom
![20240909_154055.jpg 20240909_154055.jpg](https://forums.insideuniversal.net/data/attachments/22/22469-e769042725a6a306fe23bd1b1125afd6.jpg)
Scene 5 - Dracula's Daughter coffin room
Dracula's daughter coffin scare + Saskia stakes vampire
Scene 6 - Corridor of Bats
Dracula's Daughter screen + scare + ceiling bats
Scene 7 - Castle Dungeon
Mummy scare + Bride burning heart + (rare She-wolf scare)
Scene 8 - Castle Interior/Throne Room
Dracula's daughter & Bride "...and Saskia"
Black hallway of doom
![20240909_155618.jpg 20240909_155618.jpg](https://forums.insideuniversal.net/data/attachments/22/22470-16c9b201b2c8784f9db9f8db1e076ee1.jpg)
Scene 9 - Van Helsing Mausoleum
Bride + Dracula's Daughter attack
Scene 10 (Finale) - Mausoleum Crypt Tunnels
She-wolf, Frankenstein stilt, Mummy scare
Despite all the crap this house gets for the black walls of doom, there are actually
ONLY 4 black wall hallways! Each with a "chapter" graphic to go with the audio narrative. So the hate is definitely exaggerated.
If the layout was reconfigured to adjust their length it might help though.
Alternative idea: add extra graphic panels like a "graphic novel hallway" to help the story.
***Personal Thoughts/nitpicks:
-
Scene 2 feels like it's missing something
other than the one "above" scare
-
Scene 4, while I understand that
Dracula's Daughter is controlling She-wolf with the Blood moon, it's a poorly executed narrative (stupid screen)
-
Scene 5, it could've used a vampire scare in the first area. Also the railing is so awkward & ruins the visual setup (yea I know, safety reasons).
-
Scene 6, needs more ceiling bats
-
Scene 7,
the Mummy inclusion seems very random, unless she's classified as a prisoner of Dracula's Daughter. As for She-wolf, guess Saskia missed.
-
Scene 8, needs more scenic especially a throne & chandelier.
Bride's rescue attempt placement feels awkward & could've been an unintentional scare like her first appearance in Scene 3 if executed differently
-
Scene 9,
Dracula's Daughter should attack Bride on our right side so it doubles as a proper scare. Poorly executed room design.
- Scene 10, the final scares are random,
especially the Mummy. Also, why no Dracula's Daughter final scare? Yay for Frankie cameo
- could've used a few male vampires for variety
(besides dead Dracula)
Okay this was longer than expected, but after analyzing the house a bit, it's not that bad. If all scareactor locations are filled, it'll improve the experience. A few minor changes would've helped.
BONUS: Abigail reference in Dracula's Daughter's coffin room