RECAP:  Bozo, Oz and other menacing clowns torment the queue line area as groups gather outside Forsaken Forest.  Entrance itself is guarded by infamous slasher, C. U. Splatter, better known to the world as Jack the Ripper!  Armed with a Liston Knife and a razor-sharp sword, he introduces the haunt cautioning that none of the weapons in use at the attraction are of the plastic variety, only the real deal!  After informing guests that some will inevitably become permanent decorations of the Forest, he throws a fireball, and his wicked laugh sends us into the isolated woods.

Exploration begins past a green-eyed animatronic monster with an early altercation with Cain, a fanged creature of the night whose namesake was the biblical figure recognized as being humanity’s first ever murderer!  Following his announcement warning of demons and restless souls inhabiting the desolate land, approach to an eerie cemetery is accompanied by Cain’s indiscernible, gibberish-like Hebrew chanting that concludes, “It’s time to pay your final respects!”  Vampires swarm onto the scene of a girl drinking from a fountain of blood seizing her and slicing her wrist open with a knife!  Cain thrusts his fingers into the blood spewing from her open wound, immediately licks them, and briefly turns his attention to those witnessing the tragic attack demanding to know, “Who’s next?” while returning his focus to the victim and sinking his teeth into her neck!

Fleeing for our lives soon discovers a dilapidated Butcher’s Shed, where a masked fiend saws off the face of a suffering captive and peels off her skin!  Still not satisfied, he impatiently declares, “I need more fresh meat!” then without delay, grabs his assistant, and promptly snuffs her life out as well!

Another monstrosity takes place inside the cabin of a trio of cannibalistic hillbillies who start arguing over which member of our intruding group they’re going to eat!  Unable to decide, two of them get into a knock-down, drag-out brawl, with one running away only to be called a “p*ssy!”  Displeased with the insult, he pulls out a shotgun and shoots his name-calling brother, which incites another family squabble, this time with their sister!  Taking advantage of the confrontation that distracts their attention, we make a run for it, soon stumbling upon OVH’s award winning fishing shack, where another madman has someone trapped in a mulching machine!  The lunatic implores anyone from the group to push an illuminated button to activate the lethal chipper.  Doing so supplies power to the motor and turns the device on cutting the restrained hostage to pieces, and spraying his guts everywhere!

Similar skits and scenes continue to play out along the way including a horde of undead zombies devouring barely alive people; a siren-blaring jailbreak that finds escaping prisoners crawling out of their cells; and a lab of strange entities and Venus Flytraps consuming living flesh!  Cornstalks guide the way into a dispute with a pumpkin-headed scarecrow, then a dual chainsaw ambush chases the course across an old wooden bridge, and into a swamp filled with Loch Ness monsters!  There, a mysterious voodoo lady, Madame Miri, proudly displays her collection of bottled potions hanging in her bayou shanty requesting we select one of our liking.  Shaking the chosen elixir, she excitedly stares into it in agreement proclaiming, “Yes, yes, YES!  I see death, despair, and destruction!  It’s too late for you all… you’re all FORSAKEN!”

Another scenario visits a diabolical doctor seen holding down a female patient on his exam table.  “I’m missing my saw!” he complains before advising, “This is going to hurt!” as he reaches into her incision and pulls out the screaming girl’s spine!  As we look on in disbelief, he reassures, “It’s ok, I’ve got her BACK!”

Clowns have the final say in Carnevil, where a malevolent ringmaster welcomes everyone to, “A freak show you won’t soon forget!”  Calling upon her children, they encircle our group for an initiation of further intimidation.  After learning that utilizing “chicken doors” comes with the consequences of becoming their dinner, the adventure embarks upon a group separating maze complicated by the uncertainty of dead ends; taunting, misdirecting jesters; and an onslaught of chainsaw-wielding jokers including Bozo and his cohort Crash, who endlessly pursue terrified cowards out of the haunt, across the street, into the woods, etc., revving their chainsaws behind them, thus concluding the action-packed Forsaken Forest!

ANALYSIS:  Now in only their second season, Forsaken Forest is already a very accomplished attraction with outstanding acting and big time scares!

Splatter/Ripper paves the way for a succession of horrors that come to life within the Forest.  Intense, energetic acting by a theatrical cast contributes to realistic atrocities.  Among the best are Splatter’s fireball, vampire segment, butcher’s “facelift,” hillbilly brawl/shooting, fishing shack’s mulching machine, zombie horde, and Carnevil maze.  Top performers include Splatter, Cain and his victim, butcher, hillbillies, Fish Shack’s mulcher, voodoo lady, doctor, Bozo, Crash, and all the victims that do such a tremendous job “selling” their fear!

Cain’s name and Hebrew chanting are appreciated.  Interactive mulching machine remains an all-time favorite!  Lighting is adequate but some trip hazards exist. Soundtrack is much improved, although not scene specific.  Devil, balloon, grim reaper, Leatherface entrapment and subsequent secret passage escape, and Papa Legba are missed.

Cost of general admission is $25 at the gate (cash ONLY).  Online prices are $30.99 on Fridays and $34.99 on Saturdays including service fees, which is a bit steep.  Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from September 13^th through November 2^nd from 7 PM to Midnight.  Parking is free and located across the street.  Optional monster truck rides are sold separately.

Be sure to check out Forsaken Forest for some of the most believable frights and dramatic acting in the entire Ohio Valley!