This attraction was reviewed on October 8, 2021 by Team Houdini.

Final Scores:

(15% of Final Score) Cast: 8.09

(15% of Final Score) Costuming: 7.89

(10% of Final Score) Customer Service: 9.25

(10% of Final Score) Atmosphere:

(15% of Final Score) Special Effects: 8.08

(5% of Final Score) Theme:

(15% of Final Score) Scare Factor: 7.52

(5% of Final Score) Entertainment & Value: 8.15

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Fearscapes is still one of the newer haunts only entering its third haunt season. Fearscapes is tucked away in a corner of Ellwood city; located in an abandoned, but not uninhabited, industrial park. With a deserted appearance from the outside, it has a mysterious and unassuming feeling. Inside these walls hides a research facility where some sinister experiments have gone wrong. Researchers (and we use this term loosely) started experimenting with science and the paranormal trying to contain other-worldly entities. Of course, their attempt to contain them failed, and they have been released to this facility and possibly the world.

The theme and legend are shared with the site’s escape room adding an interesting continuity between attractions. The escape room is closed during haunt season but you should check it out in the offseason. Now it’s time to face our fears….

Cast Scores (15% of Final Score):

(20% of Cast Score) Did it seem like there were enough actors?: 7.5

(30% of Cast Score) How creative, believable and convincing were the actors?: 8.67

(20% of Cast Score) How interactive were the actors (verbally and physically)?: 8.17

(15% of Cast Score) How creatively & appropriately did they use dialogue?: 8

(15% of Cast Score) Was there a good variety of characters?: 7.67

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Fearscapes keeps its actor base tighter, focusing more this year on interaction than just quick scares. There were about a dozen actors featured in the haunt with each actor having a specific role that they played and never once broken character.

We met a construction worker, who did not say much but led us into the haunt and stared at us menacingly while we were told the story by Isaac. Afterward, we met two more mute characters, one who frantically led us to the elevator after typing codes into a computer, and another who was the liftman. A few individuals provided quick scares with screams such as the swamp girl, who provided the biggest jump scare of the night as she popped out of the swamp with a blood-curdling scream (catching me completely off guard), and the girl in the wheelchair who provided screams and a little dialogue such as ‘help.’

The best interaction was by the voodoo priestess or black magic specialist. She was the leader of the void and did not care for Isaac and his desire to close the void and defeat the monsters. We had some great banter with her before she read us our fortunes… which looked grim. She was quick on her feet and did not miss a beat. As we went on our way she cackled a maniacal laugh that would make Dr. Evil blush.

Krampus wanted to celebrate the season with us, but she was more interested in hanging our teeth on her tree. Finally, a large clown led us to Beautiful Betty who was part of the freak show followed by Danger Dave. He is part of the Stolen Stitches sideshow that was part of last year’s event. This was the largest interaction as he provided a private, disgusting, and lengthy show for us – one of the most entertaining and original parts of the haunt.

We were pleasantly surprised by the increase in interaction and acting ability this season. We feel it made the haunt much more personal.

Costuming Scores (15% of Final Score):

(15% of Costuming Score) How complete / finished did the costumes appear to be?: 8

(25% of Costuming Score) How creative / detailed were the costumes?: 7.5

(20% of Costuming Score) Was their makeup creative? Detailed? Realistic?: 8

(15% of Costuming Score) How effectively did they use masks (if used)?: 7.83

(25% of Costuming Score) How appropriate were the costumes for their scene/s & theme/s?: 8.17

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Costuming also improved this season, as all characters had on fitting garments to enhance their character and scene. The construction worker had on a hard hat, jumpsuit, and pale blue contacts that accented her makeup, giving her a possessed appearance, the voodoo priestess had on a black dress with pale makeup with black accents and symbols drawn on her forehead, the swamp girl had on a mask or facial prosthetic given her a deformed or burned appearance, Betty had on a dark ensemble that matcher her stitched-up mask, the clown had on a full outfit with detailed and original black and white face paint, and even the elevator attendant was wearing a skin-like mask and dark clothing.

Customer Service Scores (10% of Final Score):

(25% of CS Score) How easy was it to locate the attraction, park, and navigate the premises?: 9

(30% of CS Score) How safe was the attraction?: 9

(25% of CS Score) How professional, helpful and friendly were the staff members?: 10

(20% of CS Score) How easy was it to find their information before* arrival?: 9

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Fearscapes were easy to find using GPS. This year we did not feel as vulnerable as last year with its deceptive layout and lack of signage. This year an added sign, lighting, and prop outside provided visitors with validation that they are in the right place.

The staff was friendly and helpful from the ticket booth to the concession stand. Also, as we were waiting in the outside queue line, it started to rain; management moved guests inside so we did not get drenched, which we appreciated.

Fearscapes has all information on its website and is active on social media.

Regarding Covid, Fearscapes followed local guidelines and all actors wore face masks.

Atmosphere Scores (10% of Final Score):

(60% of Atmosphere Score) How obvious was it that you were at a haunted house before entering?:

(40% of Atmosphere Score) How well did the atmosphere prepare you for what you experienced inside?:

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Special Effects Scores (15% of Final Score):

(20% of SFX Score) How effective were the sound effects?: 8

(20% of SFX Score) How creative / original were the scenes & props?: 8.17

(20% of SFX Score) How well were the scenes detailed?: 8

(25% of SFX Score) How well did they achieve & maintain the suspension of disbelief?: 8.17

(15% of SFX Score) How effective were the SFX at providing scares / entertainment?: 8

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We enjoyed the design of the attraction. The opening scenes had a familiar look, and that is because they are used in the escape room area… which explains why the escape room area is closed during haunt season. Fitting with the theme of the research facility, the metal walls looked real with a feeling of roughness and the ruddy appearance made it feel like a powerful substance was eating through the walls. Isaac’s skeleton that had jacked into the facility provided us the back story through the speaker system.

The elevator returned and seemed to be more violent than ever, even with nearly a half-ton of men in it. As Isaac stated, the lower level was unpredictable. Once off the elevator, there was a change in tone as scenes felt more random. The void seemed to be pulling evil from everywhere; swamps, voodoo huts, a spider den, Krampus home, and a demented carnival.

All scenes had good details; the swamp had vines and greenery with a thick fog, the voodoo hut had shrunken heads and bones, the Krampus room had a fireplace and Christmas tree, and the circus felt like an old traditional big top. Large props like rats and glowing pumpkins were also used throughout to provide points of focus to distract from the main scares. Lighting also looked great adding a movie-like feel to each area.

Sound also felt rich as it was used effectively throughout. Isaacs’s deep voice sounded believable. Sirens, pipes hissing, screams, and emergency warnings fill the upper contaminated area. Down below, the sounds changed to fit the themes; ambient noises and carnival and Christmas music were used to accent the areas.

The combination of detailed sets, large props, accent lighting, and sound gave a hypnotic feel.

Theme Scores (5% of Final Score):

(30% of Theme Score) Could you tell what the theme was?:

(50% of Theme Score) How well was the theme carried throughout the attraction/s?:

(20% of Theme Score) How well does their location authenticate the theme?:

This score is left “N/A” when we believe the haunt is trying to target a random variety of themes or phobias, rather than a single overarching “Theme” or “storyline.”

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Scare Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):

(30% of Scare Factor Score) How scary was it?: 7.5

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide scares to the entire group?: 8

(25% of Scare Factor Score) How predictable were the scares?: 7.5

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How well did they provide a wide variety of scares?: 7.33

(15% of Scare Factor Score) How strong was the ending / finale?: 7.33

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Fearscapes did a good job at providing the scares this year. A mix of stares, following, frantic behavior, yells, character interaction, and gross-out performances gave guests many ways to be scared. Most scares were unpredictable and focused on everyone in the group. This year they finally changed going for more of a traditional scare over the stolen stitches show. Don’t worry; they are still there and disgusting.

Entertainment & Value Factor Scores (15% of Final Score):

(30% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment received during the main attraction/s?: 8.67

(25% of E&V Score) How satisfied were you with the entertainment that’s available with* the ticket price, excluding the main attraction/s?: 7.17

(30% of E&V Score) How appropriate is/are the ticket price/s?: 8.67

(15% of E&V Score) Have they effectively used their available space?: 7.67

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Tickets for Fearscapes are $15 which is below the $20 average this year. They are open the remainder of October Fridays and Saturdays from 7-11. We clocked the total show time at nearly 20 minutes which puts the minutes to dollars at 1.33 which is better than average. After haunt season, the escape room will be back up and we do recommend checking it out as well.

Although it is the new kid on the block, Fearscapes is hanging tough. This year, it seems to be finding itself with improvements in most fields especially actors. The Stolen Stitches Side Show is worth the price of admission alone if you can stomach it. Fearscapes lives up to its name providing ‘a place or atmosphere of fear.’

Can you face your fears?

How Did We Get These Scores