Basement of the Dead & Shattered 3D
Aurora, IL
Reviewed on: Sunday, October 18, 2015
Since 2003, deep in the heart of Aurora, Illinois, Basement of the Dead has been proving there is much more to the City than just Wayne’s World. This attraction started off with a huge bang, being named Haunted House Chicago’s New Attraction of the Year in their maiden year. Then, in 2008, Haunted House Chicago named them the granddaddy of them all, “Haunted Attraction of the Year.”
Since then, quite a bit has changed. There has been a change of ownership, an additional second attraction was added, and even a DJ booth! What hasn’t changed? The outdoor spectacle that is between the parking garage and the entrance of the basement. The aggressive, blood-thirsty hungry monsters drooling for a taste of fresh meat. And the darkness. Plenty of darkness. Consuming you from head-to-toe, and spiraling you into the nightmare that is Basement of the Dead.
But, before we begin this voyage, let’s talk about adventure. What is adventure? Adventure can be taking a risk and experiencing what has previously been unknown. As the door to the entrance of the ‘Basement’ opens, all light and sounds of the outside world disappear as you are swallowed into the darkness. It is dark, dirty, and has the smells of a real basement. (Oh wait, it IS a real basement!) No faking here. No sinister scents. Yes, folks, this is the REAL thing.
Throughout the trek, your body is tossed through a variety of horrifying scenes and experiences. Of course, what visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the church of the underworld? Expertly constructed catacombs, dimly lit by candles provide the perfect setting for praising the dark lord!
Seeking the end of days not your thing? Well don’t worry, another incredibly memorable highlight brings patrons right into the middle of a doll room that is like none other than we have ever experienced. Let’s just say that finding your way out should be on your list of priorities.
If you manage to escape the fear-inducing pitch black of ‘Basement’, don’t worry “Shattered 3D,” is next. Advertised as a 3D circus/clown-themed attraction, we were handed our 3D glasses and stepped into one of the best hell-elevators that we have ever experienced. But, then the unexpected happened. The lights went out. We were handed special blacklight flashlights and left to find our way through the clown-clad maze. As we turned on our lights, that transformed into a sort of light sabers. As our beams of light tossed against the wall, exploding the fluorescent colors right from floors, ceilings, actors and props!
Shattered definitely threw us for a curve this year with its new re-envisioning, which we LOVE! Making the trek through the dark in this attraction, makes it even creepier, and the clowns follow you throughout! We couldn’t have asked for a better second attraction to partner to an already amazing first attraction.
The Bottom Line: This is by far one of the scariest haunted attractions we have EVER been to. If you are afraid of tight spaces, the dark, or clowns, this is definitely the place for you! It is amazing to see the growth and development here, which brings us to ask: If they are this good this year, who knows what next year will be like? Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!
2015 Scores:
Entertainment: 19.5 out of 20
Scare Factor & Fright: 9.5 out of 10
Acting: 9.5 out of 10
Sets & Room Detail: 9.5 out of 10
Costumes: 5 out of 5
Make Up: 5 out of 5
Sound: 5 out of 5
Lights: 5 out of 5
Props & Special Effects: 9.5 out of 10
Originality & Story Concept: 10 out of 10
Management & Owner Presentation: 5 out of 5
Website: 5 out of 5
Total: 97.5 points out of 100 points possible
– Official Haunted House Chicago Review Team Review
