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Beauty Horror

Vampire : The Masquerade Inspired Makeups

Happy New Year, folks! I thought I’d start off by discussing something positive, which has inspired a lot of my makeup work – Vampire: the Masquerade.

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the V:tM franchise. A love that was borne of playing the cult classic “Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines” PC game.

Making it’s way into every gaming related conversation for years, VtMB is one of few PC games I will recommend anyone tries out – whether you like vampire games or not. The humour, the ambiance, the music, storyline and characters all stand unparalleled.

While it does require a patch to be fully playable, & if you can look past the glitches; VtMB is well worth playing. Given that I first played V:MB 10 years after its release, I’d say the game has definitely stood the test of time.

So, over the past six years I’ve completed a number of VtMB character makeups & vampire Clan inspired looks…

^{_{Image on left is a V:tMB Pisha inspired makeup edit by Blabi Blogs/Ulbandi Cosplay. The image on the right is an in-game screenshot from V:TMB and does not belong to me.}}

Starting in 2015, the first VtMB makeup I ever did was inspired by the awesome character Pisha. Aside from the Ocean House Hotel, I think the mission where you end up finding her is one of the spookiest parts of VTMB.

This makeup edit is now also featured as a poster in the X20 V:tMB mod. Shoutout to Ian Watson for his support & kindly featuring my makeup work in this mod!

_{Screenshot of the X20 V:tMB mod, courtesy of Ian Watson/@VonAether on Twitter.}

While Pisha was the first VtMB character that I cosplayed, next in line was the sassy Gary Golden. On my first playthrough, he was amusingly sharp towards my character (being Clan Toreador). So of course, he has been my favourite character ever since.

The makeup I did that was inspired by Gary Golden was my first proper SFX makeup, & first time using prosthetics.

The products you see used here are from Mehron (bald cap) and Morbid Mask (vampire forehead prosthetic). The prosthetic elf ear tips were from Space Monkey FX, however they don’t seem to be selling this product anymore.

After completing the Gary Golden inspired makeup, next was Jeanette Voerman. She’s probably the most recognisable character relating to the VtMB game itself. Over the span of 2016-2017 I did all 3 makeup looks of both Voerman sisters.

_{Therese Voerman inspired makeup. (2017)}

_{Jeanette Voerman inspired makeup.} ₍₂₀₁₆₎

_{(2017) All three makeups were completed by me/Blabi Blogs 😊}

For the majority of these makeups, a couple of my favourite brands to use were both NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede liquid lipsticks, and Snazaroo face paints. As with most of my makeup work, I don’t wear contacts; my eyes are edited to look different colours.

Following the Voerman sister makeups, in 2018 I went on to complete a Velvet Velour inspired makeup. For those not familiar, Velvet Velvour (or “VV”) is the owner of Club Vesuvius & one of the most likeable characters in the game (coincidentally she’s also Clan Toreador). 😁

At the end of 2018 I completed a Ming Xiao inspired makeup, one of the more ruthless characters of V:tMB. Of course, if a character is genuinely dislikable, you know they’re well written.

_{Top image is a Ming Xiao (V:TMB) makeup edit by Ulbandi Cosplay/Blabi Blogs. Second image (bottom image) is a screenshot of the character from VTMB, and does not belong to me.}

Early in 2019, I decided to attempt an Imalia (VtMB) inspired look. While I messed up the bald cap application this time (you can’t really tell), I was really happy with how the makeup turned out.

Imalia was the most recent VtMB character makeup I completed, at the beginning of 2019. Alongside the VtMB character makeups that I’ve done, I also completed several vampire clan inspired looks

_{Clan Toreador inspired makeup. Photography by Oli Harkness.}

The images above (& below) are from a Clan Toreador inspired photoshoot I did in December 2019.

On the topic of vampire Clans…

Depending on what clan you play as in VtMB, your experience will differ vastly. If you don’t already have a preferred clan, the clan Malkavian playthrough is definitely one of the most entertaining.

My very first playthrough was as Clan Toreador & this was selected for me via the in-game quiz. As a stark contrast, my second favourite clan is Nosferatu (& I’m currently in the process of writing up a clan Nosferatu character).

Other vampire clan looks I have done include Tremere, Malkavian, (more) Toreador, and Nosferatu.

As a little disclaimer…

All the VtM related games I mention in this article are ones I’ve purchased myself. While it would be amazing, none of the makeup work I’ve produced (so far) has been part of a collab to officially promote the franchise.

Therefore, my glowing recommendation for VTMB is sincerely honest. Since Bloodlines 2 has been delayed, I will admit I have mixed feelings about the sequel. This is mainly due to Brian Mitsoda no longer being involved with the game (rather than the fact VtMB2 is delayed). Brian was a writer for the original VtMB game, so this had been promising for the sequel.

_{Bonus video of the Jeanette/Therese makeup! (from 2017)}

^{_{Audio is from the V:tMB PC game and does not belong to me.}}

Thanks to 2020, my plans to become more involved in playing V:tM tabletop games have been put on hiatus. However, I have recently started playing Vampire: the Masquerade – Night Road on PC, which I will review at some point. So far, I’m enjoying the game.

Also, while I’ve not really mentioned the VtMB soundtrack much on this article, head on over to my 10 Awesome Horror Soundtracks if you’d like some specific song recommendations. 🦇

Are you folks fans of VTMB or the Vampire: the Masquerade games?

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Horror Travel

Zombie Infection Review

_{^{(featured image from Zombie Infection’s website)}}

Firstly, a huge thank you to Zombie Infection for letting me review one of their events.

Any and all companies making 5* reviews claims have to be taken with a pinch of salt, but after visiting Zombie Infection’s Sheffield event – I can confirm it was fantastic.

To provide a brief overview, “The Factory 2.0 Sheffield” is the first installment in a series of events ran by UK based “Zombie Infection”, spanning across the country. The narrative follows a UK wide outbreak of a zombie virus, and your group being responsible for securing a breached ‘Harvertech’ defense outpost.

Location

Zombie Infection hold a truly impressive roster of events based on locations alone. “The Factory 2.0” is set within Magna Science Adventure Centre; part of the now disused Templeborough Steelworks. Home to events such as HorrorCon (and previously GNG Entertainment’s Bunker 13), the sheer size of the venue is extremely imposing.

The event caused you to move over several different levels of the centre, most being extremely dark. Running on the upper levels of the centre was terrifying and atmospheric. Every area we moved through felt like it was straight from a horror game.

We opted for the latest time slot for maximum spoopy potential; 9pm start time, 11:30pm finish time.

To say this ran over 2 hours, it zipped by and was completely seamless from start to finish. To quote Zombie Infection’s website, “you’ll never know where 2 hours flew to”.

Exterior shot of Magna Science Adventure Centre in Sheffield (location of Zombie Infection's event, "The Factory 2.0 Sheffield")

Zombie Infection’s Gameplay

The event started with a general safety briefing & then an introduction into the story from a ‘Corporal’ character. As we were unable to bring phones into the venue for safety reasons, I would estimate the running time was about 90 minutes in total (excluding the briefing & intro).

Similar to the last zombie event we attended (Zombie Uprising), our group was tasked with searching for items and ‘black boxes’. For one task you were allowed to search for items independently, which was the only time you had the option of forming smaller ‘groups’. Otherwise, group size did not really affect the experience; you all go through the event as a collective, completing missions and activities.

We upgraded our weapons on the night for £10pp, for the addition to of a “UV” torch and laser pointer. Unfortunately the laser on my gun wasn’t working for about 3/4 of the event. On the plus side, weapons were not airsoft as I had previously thought – meaning no trying to ‘reload’ while zombies were running at you.

Actors

All the actors involved did an absolutely terrific job of keeping us all on edge. Our group size did not overwhelm the amount of actors on the night. It felt like a zombie was always catching you off guard or lurking close by.

There was a good balance of both having a rep to guide us and a ‘free-roaming’ portion where we reported back; this made the event flow really well. I’d also say this helped ease into the experience better for those (like myself) who are relative newbies.

How attendees were made to interact with different tasks was also a fantastic touch.

Photograph showing zombie actors at Zombie Infection's event "The Factory 2.0 Sheffield"

Health and Safety

With the absence of any airsoft pellets, obviously this is a huge step up from airsoft in terms of health and safety.

However, my partner got hit (‘pinged’) in the face with a blank shell at the very end of the event. Blanks were used by actors at different points for theatrical effect, as mentioned on the website FAQ’s. We’re not entirely sure what happened as he wasn’t aimed and fired at by anyone, but a mock ‘grenade’ was set off near the group when this occurred. Something for the company to be careful of.

The standard ‘rifles’ you are given are slightly heavy to carry around while running. One of the upgrades you can buy is a pistol with torch, for a lighter alternative.

With the event taking place over 4 floors, you are traversing stairs and some uneven floor. Applying common sense is the most important thing here. The zombies aren’t actually real and you needn’t break your leg trying to get away from them. That being said, were they real, you would still have to be wary of your surroundings. When it comes to certain areas of Magna Science Centre, i.e. the “water” level, you would need to pay attention to where the floor may be damp or slippery.

Overall these hazards did not end up being a problem – but it is purely down to your own personal risk assessment and being careful.

Customer Service

Communication with the customer service team was great. All of the staff were super professional and explanatory, regardless of being in character.

In the scheme of things, Zombie Infection is on the pricier end of events but was well organized. Taking into consideration the venue, admin & acting costs – it’s fair for the fantastic & immersive experience you’re getting. Zombie Infection also offer for you to pay in instalments and offer discounts for larger group bookings.

Improvements?

When we arrived outside the venue, we were told the restrooms were pitch black, and there would be no toilet breaks after the event began.

For such a physical event, the addition of a 5-10 min break for water etc. could be beneficial for both attendees and actors (though I can appreciate not wanting to break immersion). Or at least, ensuring the lights are on in restrooms before the event.

Using a different method of simulating gunshots than blanks would be a good idea. Thankfully my partner was not hurt, but having a blank/pellet ricochet near your eye without any eye protection is concerning.

That aside; “The Factory 2.0” was a great experience and I look forward to attending another ZI event in future.

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Horror

Zombie Uprising Review

For those curious about trying out zombie airsoft events, we recently attended Zombie Uprising’s Stockport based event, “The Barracks”.

At the venue, there were lockers in the ‘briefing room’ for you to leave your personal belongings. In order to play, you were given a drawstring bag, a small torch and an airsoft gun (plus eye protection).

The event ran for 3 hours in total; this comprised of an hour briefing and one 10 minute break in between ‘missions’. As a group of around 20+ people, we were divided into 4 teams. The ‘missions’ were retrieving items while trying to avoid zombies.

Gameplay

Much like my first couple of hours into playing Dying Light, I was way too scared to do anything. So I felt a bit useless running about and trying to find Oli in a dust cloud in the ~~first few~~ (most) rounds. Eventually I stopped panicking as much and was able to locate items.

As a player, you were immune to being infected by zombies. The narrative kind of had a RE vibe to it. Most zombies could be temporarily immobilised, but there were other elements such as the “Titan” who could not be immobilised at all.

I did not opt for a weapon upgrade, so I was using an airsoft pistol that you needed to rack the slide for every shot.

Along with the fact this weapon was slow to operate when someone was running at you, with each round, zombies get faster and take more airsoft bullets to fall down. Thankfully the rest of our team had Airsoft rifles. So, this wasn’t the end of the world… when we were all together. Which was about half the time.

Your team scores are tallied at the end of the event from what items you managed to retrieve. The competitive element was of no interest to me (it rarely is), as I knew I’d be too nervous to properly contribute. ?

Was it scary?

Actually, yes, and I’m not just saying that because this was my first time at this type of event. There were areas of the unit that were dark and genuinely creepy to investigate. Plus the actors were all very energetic (there were around 7 ‘zombies’), so we were constantly on our toes.

As you’d imagine, all of the actors were in masks. They did a fantastic job, and in no way did them wearing masks detract from the experience or make them seem less scary.

Health and Safety

Do you need to make sure you’re in fine fettle before attending? Well, yes. By nature these events are quite physical. You will be running about, although it’s not the end of the world if you have to power walk by the end. Other than the looming threat of Titan taking your drawstring bag.

Being caught won’t affect your experience, which did make me wonder why I’d busted up my hips trying to run away from zombies. Initially we were told during the briefing that there were ‘consequences’ to being caught, but it transpired out there were none. I think this element could be changed up to improve the event.

A few differences I noticed after reading past reviews; health and safety regarding eye protection was good. There was no running up and down stairs, as someone had complained about prior. This could be due to the venue change, as there were no stairs in the area you ran around in.

Yes, there were a lot of airsoft pellets littering the floor which were a slip risk, but as long as you were careful it was not a problem. Some folks were too enthusiastic trying to avoid zombies, which was occasionally a problem. Both of these things were highlighted in the briefing, however – the staff did ask participants not to push each other.

It is a case of other attendees remembering it’s not real or worth hurting someone else to get away. Though I guess it’s a testament to how immersed they were?

Customer Service

The only thing that let this company down was the lack of updates prior to the event. It’s a shame because all the staff seemed explanatory & friendly enough on the day we attended.

The fact of when I booked to when I attended an event was drawn out over 7 months is not the fault of Zombie Uprising. The Facebook posts from Zombie Uprising urging customers to book on to events with limited numbers, only to not answer emails, was in their control. For such a drawn out period of time, this was not fun to negotiate so we didn’t miss when we could book in.

Other than that, when I originally ordered a voucher, it arrived quickly. I also thought it was a nice touch to have the voucher sent in ‘biohazard’ style packaging.

Overall?

All in all, this was a fun introduction to zombie airsoft events. With some tweaks, it would be great.

Due the poor communication, sadly it’s hard for me to recommend booking with this company. They referenced staff being on furlough in regards to no one answering, which I can empathise with. But this could have been managed a little better.

Consistency in updates that are being shared is really important. As is finding the time to tell customers what is going on, particularly if you’re still updating your Facebook about other upcoming events. Hopefully this is something that is improved upon in future.

Any zombie genre enthusiasts? What zombie events have you folks attended?

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Horror Travel

In Memory of Haunted: 35 Stonegate

Boasting hundreds of recorded ghostly happenings, York is known as being the most haunted city in the UK.

If you’re looking at travelling the UK for hotspots of paranormal activity, York should definitely be on your list.

One of the spookiest sites York has to offer is the unassuming 35 Stonegate. Until 2014, 35 Stonegate was a haunted house attraction named “Haunted”, before its unfortunate assimilation into a high street shop.

Luckily I’ve managed to visit Haunted countless times before it closed. So, I thought I’d share memories and some of the photos I’ve taken of 35 Stonegate over the years.

The first time I ever visited Haunted was in 2010…

while travelling up to attend Whitby Goth Weekend. We stopped off in York on the way, and it was bitterly cold. At the time, Haunted at 35 Stonegate had an occult style shop front selling books, jewellery, herbs, oddities etc.

As would be the same for many visits that followed, we completed the tour of the house alone. You were left to walk the various rooms of the house at your own pace, guided by signs and motion activated narration.

Many of the rooms & stories were at worst, entertaining but a little corny. At best, extremely creepy. True – the fake screams and ‘spooky’ sounds in the pre recorded narration were unnecessary. The house itself was atmospheric enough.

Sitting in the darkness, you really could lose sense of time and become immersed in the tales.

Notable rooms were the mask room, the attic, the séance room & the cellar. Honestly, I can’t remember what the story for the cellar was anymore. It was dimly lit and filled with various junk. Lanterns hung from the ceiling of the attic, and if you looked closely there was a little doll inside the fireplace.

Both the séance room and the cellar had points in the pre-recorded narration where you were left in complete darkness.

Over time, the narration became unresponsive & glitchy. Eventually the cellar stopped being part of the tour altogether. The recording cut out and wouldn’t even start the last time I went in. That was years before the attraction closed fully. After the cellar closed, another room in the attic was opened up and an extra story was added. The story of room with a sloping floor & a ghost in the doorway.

(As I write this, my hairs stand on end. It’s exactly 3am. Yes, I’m a bit of a night owl. Especially when it comes to writing)

Despite the clunkiness, the atmosphere from being able to wander the house alone was unparalleled. I wish I’d had chance to take part in some of the ghost hunting activities that took place there.

Haunted at 35 Stonegate was one of few well themed attractions with amazing history. I miss it sorely. Attractions that are so uniquely historic and leave you to walk around by yourself are difficult to find. Particularly with scare attractions – there’s usually an urgency to hurry you along so you can’t scrutinize what’s happening. The only other experience I’ve had similar to Haunted is the Buda Castle Labyrinth.

In Haunted, it felt like the world was on pause. Every detail was ominous and amazing.

Did I have any paranormal experiences there myself? No.

While I’m skeptical, I’m certainly open to the idea of ghosts. There was definitely something about 35 Stonegate that would make me uncomfortable to sit in the darkness alone. One of the things that is genuinely creepy about the idea of ghosts, is the possibility of being approached by them while you’re by yourself. Or the only one awake…

*looks over shoulders* 🤣

In 2011, GNG Entertainment hosted a scare attraction inside 35 Stonegate, named “Haunted, Live & Xtreme”. This was one of the first scare attractions I’d ever attended, and I loved it. While GNG Entertainment are no longer active, some of the team are currently involved with Doncaster Fear Factory.

Currently 35 Stonegate has become an Oliver Bonas shop. If you can escape the pursuit of any harassing sales assistants, you are still able to admire most of the rooms, stained glass windows & fireplaces etc.

As this is a Grade II listed building, thankfully the historic beauty of 35 Stonegate should be preserved for years to come.

(All the photography featured in this article was taken by me.)

Have you folks ever visited York? Did you ever get chance to visit Haunted at 35 Stonegate while it was still operational?

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Horror Travel

Journey to Hell: Freak Nights at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Review)

Despite a barrage of mixed reviews at the time, Journey to Hell: Freak Nights at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Oct 2019) turned out to be worth the trip up on a work night.

Similar to Universal Studios’ “Halloween Horror Nights”, BPB’s Freak Nights event spanned across the park, incorporating multiple scare mazes & scare ‘zones’.

We were kindly upgraded by the Big Blue Hotel where I’d booked to stay overnight. Our room had an amazing view of the Big One! While we didn’t get chance to enjoy the room fully (we had an early morning train), thank you so much Big Blue Hotel!

Here are some photos of the hotel & the view from the balcony.

When we’d had chance to put our rucksacks down (😂), we headed to the park under cover of night. Our event start time was 9pm, with the total event time spanning about 2.5/3 hours.

Once we were greeted at the Box Office & went to wait in the bar area, the atmosphere had… something of a holiday club vibe. Lots of people milling about, a DJ/compère type person speaking to people coming in. Friendly, but odd for a horror event.

We had chance to get a drink before we were moved into the queuing area. Upon entering the park en masse, we were segregated into large groups (20-30 people), and led by a ‘guide’ to each different maze. There was a little bit of waiting between mazes to stagger the groups, but nothing excessive.

Was the event frightening overall?

Somewhat, but not really. This was mainly down to group size. To be fair, I did jump at least once (thanks to a well camouflaged monster.) 😁

Was the event fun?

Absolutely!

While the majority of the time I wasn’t scared, the acting overall was still fantastic. From both the guide, and the actors in all of the mazes. Everything ran smoothly for the duration of the event.

The sets & park locations utilised were great. Particularly the “Tunnels” area and the “Theatre” area.

Part of the experience included a blindfolded ride on Icon, the newest rollercoaster addition to the park. As I had never been on the coaster before – I ended up going on the ride without a blindfold on. It was still a fantastic experience, and I far prefer Icon to Infusion.

Was it overpriced?

Arguably a little. Considering that £29 per ticket is just under the cost of a day entrance ticket to the park. While I enjoyed it, there were numerous teething issues with this event. If we’d missed out on Icon as many others had, the price would seem unreasonable. Getting to go on Icon was definitely a highlight for me.

That being said, there were 4-5 zones/mazes to the event with a good amount of actors & impressive sets, a (non-guaranteed) ride on Icon, and entry to Pasaje del Terror included.

Pasaje del Terror was & always is a fantastic scare attraction. Even as a separate attraction it is well worth the entry cost, and provided a solid ending to the night. Pasaje del Terror are a year-round scare maze & have still been operating throughout 2020, so make sure to pay them a visit once attractions are able to reopen.

The horror bar at the exit of Pasaje Del Terror.

What could have been improved?

BPB could have done a little more refinement with the overall narrative. The acting quality & costumes were all great, but the ‘story’ progression seemed to get lost as we moved between mazes.

It would have been better to have thrown at least one photo in with the ticket price, rather than having to pay for them separately. Ditch the S&M themed photo opportunities, though. That part of the event felt disjointed & cringey.

Arriving at the front entrance of the park, there was no signage to indicate where the event began. While this didn’t impact my evening, it’s an oversight to not have clear signs/directions from the entrance of the park near Pasaje Del Terror – especially when the main gates are shut.

The fact that the event only happened for a limited run of nights during the week presented difficulties. We could not take advantage of the horror bar at the exit of Pasaje del Terror, as we had to leave very early the following day for work.

All in all, it would be cool for BPB to revisit this type of Halloween event. Given this was BPB’s first venture into a Halloween event of this kind, there is definitely potential for it to be even better.

Moving forward with scare attractions, I have tickets for an event with Zombie Uprising. Hopefully we will be able to attend this year, should it be safe to do so.

Zombie Uprising will be my first airsoft zombie themed event, so I’m really looking forward to it! (& will be posting a review on my experience) ☠

What was the last Halloween event or scare attraction you folks went to?

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Horror

Dead Island & Dying Light

_{^{(Credit: Illustration above was drawn/painted & edited by me!)}}

Hi! If you came to this article expecting me to tell you how Dying Light is overwhelmingly superior to Dead Island…

I’m actually here to tell you why both games are great, why they can be annoying, and why they’re worth playing. As always, the opinions expressed in this article are my own and your experience may differ from mine.

Originally, I was only a fan of Dead Island. 😲

Which, if you go off the opinions of the general gaming community, is somewhat outrageous. For context, I first heard about Dead Island in 2019 while looking for new open world RPGs to play. Given that I’m not a huge fan of zombie games, Dead Island was a pleasant surprise.

After finishing Dead Island & went searching for similar games, Dying Light was lauded as a vast improvement on Dead Island.

As it’s set on the fictional island of Banoi, I found the environment of Dead Island was more fun to explore. Plus, you can drive throughout the main campaign of the game. Dead Island was less mentally taxing with its mechanics (+ hack & slash combat), and in turn, at the time… more enjoyable.

While I came to love Dying Light for its challenging nature…

You only really feel like you can handle yourself in combat & deal with Volatiles later in the game. There’s a steep learning curve for a while. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by zombies even during the day, and I’ll admit I didn’t feel like braving night time ventures until many hours into playing.

Even then – gameplay on PC remains a bit clunky. Especially the parkour element, which can be pretty unreliable when you need it most. Takedown combinations can be difficult to execute quickly on a keyboard. This issue rendered several skill tree perks redundant for me.

Groups of Virals start running after you for no reason (unless you’re able to repeatedly use camouflage). You can dodge Demolishers, yet a glitch can also occur where you’re still knocked down by them. For this reason, I find enemies of Dying Light are more often a nuisance than frightening.

^{Photo is an in-game screenshot of “Dying Light” and belongs to Techland/Warner Bros. Interactive.}

Dead Island’s combat has its issues, too,

Your character takes massive amounts of damage when hit, and melee weapons get damaged quickly. It’s much harder to accumulate Medikits (although there’s plenty of opportunities to replenish your health with cans of soda). Money is more difficult to find in order to repair weapons.

The game isn’t a total cakewalk in comparison to Dying Light, as many people would have you believe. It’s just simpler to deal with the mechanics & the way zombies attack you isn’t as intense. There is no ‘night time’ element where tougher enemies are patrolling, and the difficulty is consistent throughout Dead Island. When your character levels up, so do the zombies.

The weapons & perks system is much better in Dying Light. The grappling hook perk infinitely improves the game experience, and redeems the instances where you suddenly fall during parkour. There are many elements other than hand held combat in the game (such as traps), which assist in combat. Money, however, seems so abundant that it loses purpose when all you need is tons of string & more space for ammo.

By the time of playing Dying Light’s The Following DLC, I was many hours into the game playing co-op with my partner – something that is an important factor.

Both games support co-op, however…

Dead Island’s overall gaming experience isn’t vastly improved by it. Dying Light leans to being a much better experience if you’re playing co-op. Especially if you’re finding the game too difficult. This may seem like a no-brainer to most people who already play co-op (& prefer it).

If a game has a campaign that is just as enjoyable to play in single-player mode – that is a real plus point. Dead Island is just as enjoyable to play alone, although gameplay was designed for up to 4 players. I’d say it’s more enjoyable to play alone, as you’re unable to jointly pick up loot in co-op mode like you can in Dying Light.

_{Image is an in-game screenshot from “Dead Island”, and belongs to Techland/Deep Silver.}

Dead Island doesn’t try to force a emotional narrative.

As you can select 1 of 5 different characters in Dead Island, the narrative experience is a bit more generic. Your character has no implied romantic interest in other NPCs.

One thing Dying Light could have done without is trying to force emotional moments throughout the game. There’s little opportunity to become invested in the characters, as you don’t spend much time with any of them.

In total, Rais seems to be the character you have the most interaction with. It would have made sense to focus more on his story as being tragic, rather than the one dimensional villain he amounts to be in game. What small part of his character’s backstory we learn about seems like an afterthought.

A lot of the dialogue in Dying Light can be super cliché at points. It often makes Crane annoying to listen to. As a player you have no control over Crane’s outbursts towards the GRE and Rais. It would have been interesting to have multiple choice endings & the option to react differently. After all, this is a survival horror game… Crane’s bravado isn’t the most realistic approach.

So, where the main difference lies?

While both games are survival horror… Dying Light is more of a survival horror game. Meaning, even on ‘story’ mode, the game requires near constant tactical thinking & persistence.

This is where the comparisons between both games is somewhat misleading. I wouldn’t recommend Dying Light to someone who enjoyed Dead Island without emphasising the difference in gameplay.

For those who aren’t already aware – both Dead Island and Dying Light are from the same developer, Techland.

When Dead Island is regarded as inferior, it’s important to note that Dying Light was not created as a sequel, but as a separate survival horror game (with a much darker tone).

Dead Island is a more easygoing game in a beautiful setting. It fulfilled what I was originally looking for in an open world RPG (which also happened to be a survival horror game).

Being able to explore without zombies making too much of a chore of it is possible in Dead Island. In Dying Light, it’s hard to get a minute’s peace outside of a safe zone.

Once you’ve grappled everywhere in-game & become accustomed to Dying Light’s gameplay, it is hard to enjoy Dead Island the same. Dying Light also has far more replay value thanks to the community events and a fantastic DLC; The Following.

What makes Dying Light more challenging doesn’t make it “better”, just a different gaming experience. The structure & overall difficulty of both games are very different – but make them unique and enjoyable respectively.

(That being said, I’ve put many more hours into playing Dying Light. Many more hours of annoyance mixed in with enjoyment. Now I can’t go back. 😂)

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Horror Music

10 Awesome Horror Soundtracks

Many horror films make the mistake of focusing on jumpscares over soundtrack. While they can be effective, one key component in creating memorable horror is music. Sound plays such a tremendous role in building tension, adding emotion & atmosphere to a scene. Even the most famous horror films are instantly recognisable by their theme music.

With that in mind, & while I am no professional music critic (just an enthusiast 😊) – here are 10 horror soundtracks that I think are well worth listening to.

(Side note: this list is not exhaustive, nor is it ‘ranked’ – each soundtrack is fantastic for different reasons.)

Dead Silence OST (Charlie Clouser)

While the ending could have used some work, you can’t fault Dead Silence on being an aesthetically pleasing film. The makeup, the sets, the props, and then of course – there’s the stunning soundtrack.

Dead Silence’s main title theme has been overused by scare attractions far & wide. For those who aren’t already familiar with the composer Charlie Clouser, he is also responsible for score on the Saw OST.

Songs from this Dead Silence soundtrack I’d particularly recommend are, “Ella”, “Funeral” and “Lips Moving”.

The Babadook OST (Jed Kurzel)

Depression as an underlying theme for a horror film is somewhat overdone (& arguably, stigmatizing) at this point. That being said, the soundtrack truly engulfs you in the chaos of crumbling mental health.

While other horror soundtracks embody sadness, this soundtrack centers more on the feelings of rising dread & emptiness. Examples of this from the OST are “The Book Returns”, “Shopping Mall”, & “Méliés”.

(also look at how absolutely stunning the vinyl is!)

The Grudge OST (2004 Remake) (Christopher Young)

What was noticeable about this? The juxtaposition between terrifying orchestral & lamenting piano songs. This beautifully conveyed the sadness in Kayako’s story.

What else really stuck with me ever since I first watched it, was the use of string instruments & breathing noises in the track “Ju-On VI”. Few soundtracks have embodied something enchantingly sinister like this. We’re drawn into Kayako’s darkness with dissonant glockenspiels and whispery lullabies.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s something to be said for the original Ju-On soundtrack. I’m particularly a fan of The Shadow track, which never fails to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck!

But, I will always have a soft spot for the soundtrack of the remake. Even though it terrifies me, after all this time I can’t stop listening to it.

Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines (Rik Shaffer)

Velvet Velour cosplay makeup done by me. 2nd image is from V:TMB the game and does not belong to me.

Part of why this game is such an unforgettable cult classic, is it’s music. A perfect mix of awesome + original game score, & band tracks. Tracks from Collide, Lacuna Coil and Ministry are featured in game to complement the early 2000’s ‘gothy’ vibe that V:TMB has.

Personal favourites of mine from Rik Schaffer’s score, are both the Hollywood & Santa Monica themes. However, there’s not a song from the soundtrack that isn’t enjoyable. If I couldn’t enthuse about the game itself any more, it is worth playing even just to hear the music.

Just, go play Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines already. 😁

Sinister OST (Christopher Young)

Bughuul symbol in this photo was painted by me – symbol design is by Scott Derrickson (& featured in the Sinister movie). 😊

It was obvious that Scott Derrickson, who selected the band tracks for this film, did his research about dark ambient. Featured were Aghast, Ulver, Accurst, Boards of Canada etc.

Most of the tracks from these artists were accompanying Bughuul’s ‘home videos’. Essentially, what were the more “sinister” songs of the film (*ba dum tsh*). For that alone, the Sinister soundtrack is well worth a listen.

Then there is the unsurprisingly brilliant score, composed by Christopher Young. The blend with electronic/dance elements in the original tracks made for both some melodic piano pieces, and unnerving instrumentals.

Layers of Fear OST (Arkadiusz Reikowski + Penelopa Willmann-Szynalik)

Not long after I lost someone close to me, I played this game. It felt like someone had cracked open the core of everything I felt, and made it into a soundtrack. For those who have played, you will know the story is fundamentally as sad as it is frightening.

A psychological horror game bordering on psychedelic at times, Layers of Fear has a beautifully disturbed soundtrack to match. Predominantly haunting piano pieces, with music box melodies and chaotic electronic tracks thrown in. What could easily be a generic horror soundtrack (from it’s aforementioned components), instead paints a mesmerising portrait of grief and regret.

While it’s difficult to pick a favourite song, “Shapeless Dreams”, “Paintings On the Wall Part 2” and “Music Box” are particularly emotive.

Ghost Master OST (PC game) (Paul Weir)

Not every horror soundtrack has to be terrifying to make the top 10. 😃

Ghost Master is a strategy game released back in 2003, where you control numerous ghouls and ghosts to scare people from their homes. While playing, Ghost Master delivers both fun & stunningly atmospheric tracks.

Since they’re all so catchy, it’s honestly hard to say what to listen to first. Try out songs “Ghoul Room”, “Map of Gravenville”, and “Hi-Scare Table”.

Alice: Madness Returns OST (Jason Tai, Marshall Crutcher, Chris Vrenna)

This game is in every way, an underrated masterpiece. Alice: Madness Returns is a psychological horror hack & slash game developed by Spicy Horse studio & released by EA games. This game is the sequel to American McGee’s Alice which is also well worth a playthrough.

_{Alice: Madness Returns cosplays done by me. Photography in first photo by Oli Harkness.}

In equal parts tragic, angry, serene and unnerving – the Madness Returns soundtrack is versatile as it is darkly beautiful. The tracks reflect the level that Alice travels through, i.e. “Vale of Tears” , “Tundraful” (frozen tundra themed level), “Dollhouse” (yes, a dollhouse themed level) etc.

Some of the best ambient tracks (“Tundraful”, “Duchess”) weren’t officially released as part of the OST album, but I thoroughly recommend finding them on Youtube and listening to the entire soundtrack.

Donnie Darko OST (Michael Andrews)

Technically speaking, Donnie Darko is not a horror film – but it’s close enough (being a psychological thriller) to justify the beautiful soundtrack.

Michael Andrews’ score is moody ambient with an unnerving edge, rather than outright hair-raising. That being said, several of the tracks are dreamy piano melodies (“The Artifact and Living”, “Gretchen Ross”, “Liquid Spear Waltz”).

A lot of this soundtrack could double up as chilled out ambient songs for walking. At least, it certainly often ends up on my playlists for going on walks.

Nancy Drew Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake OST (PC game) (Kevin Manthei + Kevin Riepl)

While the Nancy Drew games are of the click & point adventure genre, the spooky atmosphere present in many of them is not to be underestimated!

Kevin Manthei is responsible for having composed many of the fantastic Nancy Drew PC game soundtracks. In fact, there’s 26 of his soundtracks for you to be getting on with 😁 (& yes, I have listened to most of them).

But firstly, listen to the Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake OST. So you don’t get too scared, there are several upbeat songs to offset the tense atmosphere of tracks such as “Forest”, “Spooky”, and “Tunnel”.

Almost unsurprisingly, Manthei was also the composer for Vampire: the Masquerade – Redemption soundtrack. All good things come back to Vampire: the Masquerade, right?

Bonus round!

Evil Dead (2013 remake) trailer music (Randy Jist). Unfortunately Randroid/Randy Jist removed the trailer tracks he produced for the Evil Dead film from his Soundcloud. At the time the Evil Dead remake was released, the trailer was so impactful thanks to this track. The film’s orchestral score is nice, yes. But the trailer music was pretty much iconic & this style of track should have been featured in the film itself.
Resident Evil: Afterlife OST (Tomandandy). Ok, so I have a soft spot for soundtracks with some electronic/metal fusion involved. When implemented effectively though, it’s just awesome! Go listen to tracks “Flying” or “Axeman”.
Tomie (1999 movie). This soundtrack features some unusual experimental songs (such as World Famous – Funhouse 2), so it definitely deserves a mention for memorability.
Queen of the Damned (Richard Gibbs). While I can appreciate that the film does not do the book justice, Queen of the Damned the film serves up both a fantastic score & playlist of well selected nu metal/alternative goodness. Maybe for some people, the cringe overrides any ability to enjoy the OST. However, the violin tracks from Richard Gibb’s score are superb.
Underworld OST – Paul Haslinger did an excellent job of matching the OST with the gothic & gritty atmosphere of the film. “Deathdealer’s Deploy”, and “Eternity and a Day” are standout tracks from this soundtrack.

How about you folks – what horror soundtracks have stood out to you (and why)?

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Horror Travel

(R.I.P) Ghoulies Liverpool Review

Ghoulies Horror Bar no longer exists at the Liverpool venue detailed here, but since it was such a fantastic attraction, I thought I would share a review of the 2018 Love Bites event.

Before visiting, I first became aware of Ghoulies Haunted House on Twitter; a new permanent scare attraction and themed horror bar based in the centre of Liverpool. It was great to see a new scare attraction popping up, particularly in such a central & easily accessible location.

Very quickly I decided to visit their Valentines Day Love Bites event, despite some Facebook reviews leaving me a bit apprehensive. In the end I opted for the ‘Family Friendly’ slot. 😂

When I went to Ghoulies, it had been a while since I’d last visited a scare attraction. So, I was nervous enough to struggle appreciating the sets/scare methods in too much detail. My partner and I went through alone together, which was great, as it was his first scare attraction.

A few specific things stood out about the experience…

The initial corridors leading down to the “Insidious” movie style red door were very creepy, and built up a good amount of suspense.

You were then lead by an actor to a room with seating, and a brightly lit frosted window. The metal music playing in this room was a nice touch – a refreshing change from generic horror soundtracks.

Throughout the attraction there were a good amount of actors, and all of them stayed in character really well.

There wasn’t a moment where you weren’t on your toes; you were either being followed, ‘strangled’, or jumped out on.

The actor playing the Count Orlok style character really held his own, serving as our guide through most of the attraction. I thought his makeup was great – so kudos to the actor, or whoever applied this.

There was also a segment incorporating animatronics. Animatronics often seem disjointed as part of many scare attractions, but they were integrated brilliantly with strobe lights and actors.

Overall, the attraction was a decent length and all the rooms/sets were atmospheric.

The ‘execution’ chainsaw scare method used at the end of the maze was… alarmingly funny. Definitely unlike what I’ve experienced in other attractions so far.

Ghoulies lived up to what their tagline described, “get grabbed by the ghoulies” – a very hands on approach to scaring. Many, if not most scare attractions implement a ‘no touch’ policy. This made Ghoulies Haunted House an experience that is not suitable for everyone – and you were required to sign a disclaimer before entering.

During the “Family Friendly” version of the attraction, I didn’t find it over the top, just a terrifyingly fun experience. My partner also enjoyed going through the attraction – particularly the animatronics & the main ‘guide’ actor.

Besides the excellent actors, the staff were all super friendly. We stayed in the bar for a drink afterwards, where you could also view other groups going through the attraction via CCTV.

Was great to see how busy it was in both the bar, and groups going into the attraction. Before the Ghoulies Liverpool venue closed, I was really looking forward to seeing new events there, & what different themes would be used in future.

Ghoulies closed the doors on their Liverpool venue in early 2019, though the company did run a Preston based Halloween event later in 2019. Ghoulies Haunted House seem to still be active on Facebook, so it’s possible they may run events again at some point. Fingers crossed that they do, as they have great potential for creating further amazing scare attractions.

Are you folks fans of scare attractions? What are some of the best scare attractions that you’ve been to?

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