Survival Zone - Sanctuary
Sometimes it's hard to remember that Survival Zone only opened for the first time in 2020. Since then - they have won awards for their debut event at Nothe Fort, gained critical acclaim for their alien experience this Spring, and have now created a new story at in Wareham.
Intended to be a "sanctuary" - the headquarters of Twins FX is absolutely filled with horror props including creatures from Doctor Who, random horror movie and sci-fi props and so much more. But the props only act as a distraction for the terrifying scares throughout.
After being told to secure the gates to Sanctuary - it wasn't long before we were being shown footage that showed that the gates had been breached and from there on in - the zombies were everywhere! As in previous experiences, we had a guide to move us around, and they did a great job at focusing on the scares and moving between scenes.
The scares themselves were some of the most intense we have experienced, with zombies appearing from so many unusual hiding places. For example. the tent scare was incredible as we swear that we checked it was empty, yet a crawling zombie came at us when we weren't expecting it. We must also mention the pop up banner, and the cereal box scare. Intrigued? Well you should have visited.
Halfway through our tour we ended up crawling through the air conditioning vents, which should have been scary enough, but there was so much in store for us. We all screamed and struggled to get out as soon as we could, as the scares seemed to come from every angle. Well done to the team for building such a unique element in the middle of their corporate offices!
Once out of the vents - the experience just kept building up with the narrative and zombie scares fighting for attention. The story telling was exceptional, yet the zombie scares left us all jumping and screaming throughout. Well done to all the actors involved who portrayed fast and aggressive zombies that left us desperate to get out.
All in - we have always had a great time at Twins FX events, and Sanctuary was as fun and scary as the previous shows. The use of their own headquarters has really added a different vibe to the experience, and we really can not wait to see what the guys do next!
Intended to be a "sanctuary" - the headquarters of Twins FX is absolutely filled with horror props including creatures from Doctor Who, random horror movie and sci-fi props and so much more. But the props only act as a distraction for the terrifying scares throughout.
After being told to secure the gates to Sanctuary - it wasn't long before we were being shown footage that showed that the gates had been breached and from there on in - the zombies were everywhere! As in previous experiences, we had a guide to move us around, and they did a great job at focusing on the scares and moving between scenes.
The scares themselves were some of the most intense we have experienced, with zombies appearing from so many unusual hiding places. For example. the tent scare was incredible as we swear that we checked it was empty, yet a crawling zombie came at us when we weren't expecting it. We must also mention the pop up banner, and the cereal box scare. Intrigued? Well you should have visited.
Halfway through our tour we ended up crawling through the air conditioning vents, which should have been scary enough, but there was so much in store for us. We all screamed and struggled to get out as soon as we could, as the scares seemed to come from every angle. Well done to the team for building such a unique element in the middle of their corporate offices!
Once out of the vents - the experience just kept building up with the narrative and zombie scares fighting for attention. The story telling was exceptional, yet the zombie scares left us all jumping and screaming throughout. Well done to all the actors involved who portrayed fast and aggressive zombies that left us desperate to get out.
All in - we have always had a great time at Twins FX events, and Sanctuary was as fun and scary as the previous shows. The use of their own headquarters has really added a different vibe to the experience, and we really can not wait to see what the guys do next!
Survival Zone - Alien Encounter
When we last visited Fort Nothe in Weymouth, it was the end of October, and of course the venue was shrouded in darkness. Therefore we were really surprised when we went down again in Summer, just how picturesque the location is. Built on a peninsula in the English Channel, the fort is surrounded by water on three sides.
But we weren't there for the views, and soon after checking in for the summer event Alien Encounter - we were guided to the mysterious artefact that had crashed into the courtyard - an ominous rock like formation with red weed like tentacles snaking out of it. Surely nothing good could come from this, and we were soon to find out.
Once inside the main show, we were subjected to the infamous tunnel scene from the zombie show. It's hard to describe how much tension can be created by a long tunnel and a lumbering shadow, but once again - Survival Zone has us screaming in anticipation!
Fortunately after this, the journey took us through a completely different route to the Halloween zombie event, which made it feel unique and different. The experience mixes theatrical storytelling with some incredible jump scares, which all had us screaming throughout. Somehow, our guide always managed to distract us enough so that when the scares came they were forceful and direct. For a 25/30 minute experience we were pleasantly surprised at just how intense some of the scenes were, and we spent most of our time terrified about what would come out of the dark next.
Of course. coming from the theatre world - The Twins FX, put on an incredible show which included believable scenarios, some impressive costumes and several fun special effects. But none of this would have worked without the conviction of our guide and the engagement of the actors. So many times throughout the night, we were in a genuine state of panic as an alien or victim blocked our way or appeared out of nowhere.
All in, we couldn't fault Survival Zone Alien Encounter in any way. Everything about the event from the amazing setting, through to the story and actors, added up to a truly terrifying experience that had us tripping over each other to escape. Everyone knows the Hollywood rule that sequels are never as good as the original - but like Aliens, T2 and Godfather 2, Survival Zone really improved on the original show and we can't wait to see what's next from this award winning team!
But we weren't there for the views, and soon after checking in for the summer event Alien Encounter - we were guided to the mysterious artefact that had crashed into the courtyard - an ominous rock like formation with red weed like tentacles snaking out of it. Surely nothing good could come from this, and we were soon to find out.
Once inside the main show, we were subjected to the infamous tunnel scene from the zombie show. It's hard to describe how much tension can be created by a long tunnel and a lumbering shadow, but once again - Survival Zone has us screaming in anticipation!
Fortunately after this, the journey took us through a completely different route to the Halloween zombie event, which made it feel unique and different. The experience mixes theatrical storytelling with some incredible jump scares, which all had us screaming throughout. Somehow, our guide always managed to distract us enough so that when the scares came they were forceful and direct. For a 25/30 minute experience we were pleasantly surprised at just how intense some of the scenes were, and we spent most of our time terrified about what would come out of the dark next.
Of course. coming from the theatre world - The Twins FX, put on an incredible show which included believable scenarios, some impressive costumes and several fun special effects. But none of this would have worked without the conviction of our guide and the engagement of the actors. So many times throughout the night, we were in a genuine state of panic as an alien or victim blocked our way or appeared out of nowhere.
All in, we couldn't fault Survival Zone Alien Encounter in any way. Everything about the event from the amazing setting, through to the story and actors, added up to a truly terrifying experience that had us tripping over each other to escape. Everyone knows the Hollywood rule that sequels are never as good as the original - but like Aliens, T2 and Godfather 2, Survival Zone really improved on the original show and we can't wait to see what's next from this award winning team!
Survival Zone
In a year where most existing events are cancelling due to to Corononavirus, it's always exciting to see new attractions being announced, especially when they are in such great venues as this.
Nothe Fort is built on a coastal peninsula in Weymouth, and has a suitably creepy atmosphere throughout (and that before the team added their zombies) Clearly this fort has seen some history and is reputedly haunted, which was suitably played on by the event.
Set in a not too distant future where a new virus is turning people into zombies, the event actually referenced the current Covid outbreak, by acknowledging the issues we are currently having, and using it as a baseline for how bad this "new virus" was. Arriving at the "survival zone" we were to reunite with loved ones who had been looking for us. Unfortunately, the zombies had a better idea and very soon we were likely to be the next on the menu.
Once inside the fort, and after a terrifyingly tense opening scene, we were soon met by a local doctor who then became our guide for the rest of the half hour experience. As he described the virus, introduced us to some patients and guided us through the experience, he was really engaging in his interactions with us. This also helped create great moments of tension and scares when the zombies or the infected would be close, and the whole show involved a lot of dodging and ducking through the tunnels in a bid to escape.
Along the way we experienced some incredible scares (we must highlight a creative drop panel scare that literally had us all bouncing back against the wall in fright!) and a number of close calls with very lively zombies. The sudden appearances and noises, combined with the dark oppressive nature of the tunnels, left us on edge throughout the whole experience, and the fort rang with multiple screams from all of us.
As the show has been created by the Twins FX (who would normally be creating special effects and tricks for theatre shows), the quality and theming of the zombies was some of the most detailed we have seen. Along the way we encountered zombies in different states of transformation, but the main ones were as grotesque as they were convincing. The team's background also meant that the show had a very theatrical element to the experience, but without neglecting the high impact scares. It really was a perfect mix of storytelling with regular moments of pure terror!
For a first year event, we think Survival Zone was stunningly executed in an incredible venue, and we would love to see more in the future. There is clearly a lot more space the team could work with at the fort but we also understand that they are looking at other venues for the future. We look forward to seeing whatever they come up with next
Nothe Fort is built on a coastal peninsula in Weymouth, and has a suitably creepy atmosphere throughout (and that before the team added their zombies) Clearly this fort has seen some history and is reputedly haunted, which was suitably played on by the event.
Set in a not too distant future where a new virus is turning people into zombies, the event actually referenced the current Covid outbreak, by acknowledging the issues we are currently having, and using it as a baseline for how bad this "new virus" was. Arriving at the "survival zone" we were to reunite with loved ones who had been looking for us. Unfortunately, the zombies had a better idea and very soon we were likely to be the next on the menu.
Once inside the fort, and after a terrifyingly tense opening scene, we were soon met by a local doctor who then became our guide for the rest of the half hour experience. As he described the virus, introduced us to some patients and guided us through the experience, he was really engaging in his interactions with us. This also helped create great moments of tension and scares when the zombies or the infected would be close, and the whole show involved a lot of dodging and ducking through the tunnels in a bid to escape.
Along the way we experienced some incredible scares (we must highlight a creative drop panel scare that literally had us all bouncing back against the wall in fright!) and a number of close calls with very lively zombies. The sudden appearances and noises, combined with the dark oppressive nature of the tunnels, left us on edge throughout the whole experience, and the fort rang with multiple screams from all of us.
As the show has been created by the Twins FX (who would normally be creating special effects and tricks for theatre shows), the quality and theming of the zombies was some of the most detailed we have seen. Along the way we encountered zombies in different states of transformation, but the main ones were as grotesque as they were convincing. The team's background also meant that the show had a very theatrical element to the experience, but without neglecting the high impact scares. It really was a perfect mix of storytelling with regular moments of pure terror!
For a first year event, we think Survival Zone was stunningly executed in an incredible venue, and we would love to see more in the future. There is clearly a lot more space the team could work with at the fort but we also understand that they are looking at other venues for the future. We look forward to seeing whatever they come up with next
Links:
Survival Zone website
You Review
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Very scary
Value for money was great! Had a great time and was really good, couldn’t stop talking about it all night!
Value for money was great! Had a great time and was really good, couldn’t stop talking about it all night!
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