OVERALL RATING :

Scare Factor

Actors

Set Design

Length

RAW SCORE : 9.000

RATING

REVIEW

Based on the idea that the patients of this asylum have revolted and taken over, The Asylum works hard to have a theme. The actors are great, with full lines, nearly acting out entire scenes as I passed by (stick around to see the rhinoplasty!). The attention to detail is neat, with all kinds of crazy drawings on the wall. Each area is dominated by well developed characters who match the scrawling on their walls.

Yet, despite the varied characters, my major criticism of the Asylum is that it’s somehow completely one note. It’s as if the rooms become iterative and follow too closely to a formula: drawings, character, scare, transition. Granted, if that note works for you it’s an awesome non-stop all the way through, but for those of us who either aren’t afraid of strobe lights or get sensory overload and check out, there’s no place to get back into it. I almost felt cheated at the end as I learned of scares I simply missed because… I wasn’t already scared.

Ultimately, the Asylum is an awesome haunt, totally committed to their kind of terror, and if it’s yours too, I’m sure they’ll be happy to commit you.

PROS

Good actors following a solid theme

CONS

Kind of one note

RATING    8.0 (Very Good)

REVIEW

The first thing I noticed about the Asylum was the new façade on the front. Every year it gets bigger and better and more realistic. The second thing I look for is the guy that "welcomes" you to the Asylum. If you haven't experienced him, you're missing out! I also really liked the guy cowering in the corner at the front door.

Once inside, we were greeted by several of the "patients." I felt like there just weren't that many actors, certainly not the amount I've come to expect from this haunt. The ones that were there were pretty good though and believable.

There were a couple of really good twists and a couple of places we had to go through that I, personally, was dreading. Let's just say I'm claustrophobic and that fear was played on in the Asylum. One thing that I have always enjoyed about this haunt is the use of lights and fog. They use camo netting and fog really well, not only to conceal things, but also to add atmosphere. But, the best lighting effect is their use of strobes. This year, the uneven timing of the strobes not only disoriented me, but went on so long that I almost felt sick near the end. It's just something you'll have to experience for yourself.

Although there weren't a lot of scares for me, I had fun and I really enjoy the theme of the Asylum. They keep the theme throughout the haunt and play on people's fears well.

PROS

Awesome lighting, fog effects, cool surprise twists

CONS

Not many actors, not overly scary

RATING    9.25 (Excellent)

REVIEW

The great thing about the Asylum is that they have mastered the dark and the use of strobes. Coaches have trained their actors and it shows. They never break character and actually do more than just grunt at you – some have intricate lines or sing disturbing lullabies or just generally totally mess with you. The timing is great and well executed, and this year they have a few more tricks up their sleeves to really freak out their patrons. The theme of a disturbing insane asylum is always a crowd pleaser, especially because the inmates have taken over. The characters are often times weird, creepy and some are even downright Looney Tunes funny (“I need my pills!).

The set design is pretty good considering it’s a temporary haunt and is setup in gigantic tents in a parking lot, and they work really well with what they have. It’s a longer haunt this year, but still not long enough for my preferences. Be prepared to wait in line or buy the VIP, this haunt is pretty popular, so be sure to dress warm if it’s cold out. I would say the beginning of the haunt is definitely a warm up to the end. They use a slow strobe effect, which not many haunts take advantage of. It really is disorienting because just as your eyes adjust to the dark again, it fires off, completely blinding you and then the cycle repeats over, and over, and over again. All the while the actors are messing you with. Props and animatronics in the Asylum are great too, although I wouldn’t say it’s their strongest highlight – except for the electric chair and the fog monster – they’re well done.

Overall, I really think it depends on who you go through the haunt with – as sometimes this can be hit or miss depending on what types of scares you look for and how into it your group is.

PROS

DARK, strobes, acting all are very effective

CONS

Wish there were about 3 more tents of space to walk through

RATING    9.0 (Excellent)

REVIEW

These people have it down to a science. Some Haunts are notably more family oriented, and others may be more of a fun-scare than a creepy-scare.
Asylum delivers a creepy, weird, disturbing experience. The attention to detail in this house blew me away. The art on the walls ranges from genius to the insane scribbling of a deeply cracked mind and the realism of the environment is astounding. This is exactly what I imagine an institution for the criminally insane would look like if the inmates shook off their bonds and took over.

The wall ‘treatments’ (ha ha, get it? treatments…) were interesting, one room in particular creeped me, because I cannot stand roaches! I am into texture, so constantly feeling my way along the walls to reassure myself, adds to my sense of atmosphere. There is a wall in this house that tingles a little!

On top of all that and the phenomenal timing of the strobes, there are some really good performers. I am prone to laugh at and flirt with the monsters; I found it hard to muster that kind of arrogance here. From the well spoken, though clearly mad gentleman who invites us in; to the almost kind, singsong harrying warnings of the last performer we see, these folks have their game on. Maybe a couple could have amp-ed it up, if so; I honestly didn’t notice.

PROS

Asylum has everything going for it to achieve its purpose

CONS

The snake room was the only thing I thought was weak

RATING    9.25 (Excellent)

REVIEW

The asylum is one of the local haunts that grows on me more every  year. There have been some changes and I liked them all. The length has increased which is always a plus in a good haunt. The use of space was executed well and overall set design was very good. The actor at the door is very creepy and does an awesome job psyching  people up before they go in. His makeup is always very well done which adds to the effect. The use of strobe lights in this haunt is amazing! The timing of them is very disorienting and keeps you a bit off kilter, which adds to the fear level. The drawings on the walls add authenticity for me, and if you have a couple of seconds to read some of the things scrawled in there, you may find them very disturbing.

I really enjoyed the use of lighting and props throughout The Asylum, and felt like the areas in the roof that you could see through a bit added to the “old abandoned building” feel. They appeared to be holes in the roof that had some type of mossy growth, and it was believable. Actors here are very good, and there are some that move in ways that  just don’t seem possible.

This is an attraction that really keeps with the theme, and does a  great job moving from room to room seamlessly. The end of the haunt is a great change and really gave me the feeling that getting out may be harder than I thought. This is a must see haunt for those that are looking for authenticity, and theme retention.

PROS

Better length, new sets, great ending

CONS

A couple of lag spots, some spots too lit

RATING    9.0 (Excellent)

REVIEW

This year The Asylum did it again. They really put everything together very well and I don’t think it was the actors who scarred me as much as the haunt itself. The rooms were very detailed and the lighting was sweet. I loved the strobes because they were so disorienting my brain became clustered. I kept trying to adjust to the lighting, but every room was different.

The actors did a great job. Their makeup and timing was great. I think  this haunt will be on my top 5 list because they did a great job of pulling off the theme. I could tell that a lot of time was spent on it. The atmosphere made me feel unsafe, like something bad could happen inside this place. There were tons of original ides and things popping out at you. The whole time I was wondering what was going to happen next. Screams echoed throughout the house, which I loved.

I think this is a really great haunt and I recommend checking it out, but if you don’t like the feeling of being in a tight position then the end is going to trip you out!

PROS

Great job on the set design, couple new ideas

CONS

Still similar to last year

RATING    9.5 (Excellent)

REVIEW

Mental patients running around everywhere is scary in and of itself, but when they've taken control of the place and apparently love blood, screams, and horror, it is insane - really! 

The acting was so great in this haunt, some of these people probably are really insane.  You can't get much better than this.

Length was perfect.  I also just want to make a comment that the effect they used at the end made my hair really stand on end. All of this was awesome, however, there is always room for improvement.  The scares could use a little tweaking to make it better.  A little more attention to the overall detail of the
haunt would make it perfect, but as it was, I can't complain.  Overall, excellent!

PROS

Acting rocked

CONS

Better scares

RATING    9.75 (Excellent)

REVIEW

The Asylum was probably my favorite haunt last year, because I love darkness. I want actors that get in your face and I love unexpected uses of space to create confusion in innovative ways. That said I really think Asylum has lived up to my expectations yet again.

The exterior of this haunt has grown more impressive and there is now some sort of watchtower and a more authentic entrance than in years past. The line still appears to be long and there are a couple actors out there providing a slight bit of entertainment. Including the awesome English accent guy that is serenely creepy from years past.

Inside you’ll find pretty much what you’ve seen before at asylum. Blood splattered walls, lots of darkness and lots of strobes. I would say the most effective elements for me in The Asylum are the strobes, because I like how disoriented I become and the panic it creates. There were a couple rooms that didn’t do a whole lot for me, but by the end I was racing through screaming and laughing.

New to the Asylum is the attempt to create a feeling of levels as you walk through. There are some ramps and steps, as well as a set of stairs and paths above you in one part. I think they could go further with this in the future, but it was a nice touch. Also very cool this year was the element of separation, which worked really well for my group. One of us was taken and we stood screaming and banging on the Plexiglas as we watched her be confined in a fog filled room while someone was electrocuted. After that element the suspense really built for us and we played off one another pushing, shoving, screaming in the dark and getting totally pumped. The actors were as usual unnerving, twitchy, in your face and unsettling. The Asylum seemed a little longer this year with an excellent final scare that you’ll have to see for yourself! But if you’re afraid of small spaces you might not make it!

PROS

I think this place is terrifying

CONS

Pretty much the same as other years