USS Nightmare: Riverboat rampage
Driving to the location of the USS Nightmare, it creates a weird juxtaposition. The skyline of Cincinnati overlooks the attraction, providing a vibrant backdrop that may be one of the best for any haunt attraction. Yet sitting there on one spot on the river is the Nightmare. A worn-down riverboat awaits, almost unassuming, just a quiet old vessel that has seen better days. However, a giant skull on top of the boat lets you know that something sinister is waiting inside and walking onto the deck of the boat just deepens that feeling. A video plays overhead, letting you know the story of the disasters that took place on the boat, while you slowly wind around the deck, with random stations set up, from daring people to touch things, to a camera showing the inside of the attraction where you can mess with people while you pass. Soon you head into the ship itself, entering a preshow room that explains the story, and soon you find yourself deep in the bowels of the boat, experiencing a fantastic house.
The house does an incredible job alternating between the story and getting scares. The story told revolves around multiple points, like the mysterious woman who lured men to their deaths, or who exactly among the crew caused the accident that killed so many. Of course, the captain is also lurking, killing those who dare trespass on his ship. It is impressive to see a house tell a full narrative throughout the house. Even more impressive is the fact that they manage to tell the story without sacrificing a single scare, as the actors go to great lengths to hit their goal. Actors are everywhere and are helped by some excellent props and animatronics. One of the animatronics is massive, and it’s a wonder how it even fits on the boat. The actors are also hilarious, and by being so into their roles it creates an atmosphere where you get drawn deep into the story. It starts to feel like you have been drawn into a nautical horror film, and every room adds more drama and dread.
The house itself is wonderfully diverse and exceptionally designed. The house uses every bit of space it can sending you from the captain’s quarters, to flooded passageways below deck, to areas full of machinery. The flooded passages are terrifying, as seeing water pour into the ship and dripping onto you brings primal fears to the surface. Later on, you actually reach a balcony that overlooks the same passages. The balcony is designed to collapse towards the water, threatening to drop you into the watery depths. The house varies between massive areas like this one, that features multiple scenes passing through, to tiny cramped corridors with monsters lurking from all directions. It is a visually pleasing house, alternating between well lit areas that use the lighting to create perfect moods, to dark halls that create dread. Sound is also amazing, between period accurate music being played, to all the expected sounds of a boat being heard. It all combines to make it feel like you are truly stuck on a haunted boat that is stuck in the past. This is one of the best houses I have had the pleasure and is one that is worth the visit.
5 / 5
