Last night, I got to experience Battleground: Mortals vs Monsters – an interactive haunt from 13th Floor in Jacksonville. Combining the tactical play of laser tag with the jump scares and spookiness of a haunted house, Mortals vs Monsters was a super fun outing for horror fans, game enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a unique evening! Thank you, 13th Floor, for inviting me out to this awesome event!
Before the Battle
At 13th Floor, the scares start before you’ve even entered the attraction! Lurking just past security are live scaractors posing for selfies and interacting with guests awaiting their fates.
Before heading inside the building, “Mr. Bubbles” gave us a short introduction to 13th Floor’s rules and the weapons we would utilize during our experience. While a full briefing and training would come a little later, I felt more prepared having this miniature session prior to the main instruction. After completing his spiel, another staff member took us inside for the souvenir photo op (with live scaractor) and interior portion of the queue.
Learning the Weapons
We waited in the interior line for a just a few minutes before being given our weapons and full training session. The guns were easy to use, with the ability to reload after running out of ammunition. They were larger and heavier than I expected, with a slight “kick” occurring with every shot – all adding to the illusion that you were entering a real battle with real monsters. Honestly, I was super impressed by the quality of the guns and their ultimate effect on the entire experience.
The Battle Begins!
Upon entering the “battleground,” Mortals vs Monsters works much like a regular haunted house. You walk along a trail full of detailed sets, spooky imagery, and loud sound effects. But this time, you’re not helpless against the creatures you meet traveling through the dark trails! Each scaractor (and even some puppets and animatronics) are fitted with head or neck targets. Shoot those devices to “kill” the monster and increase your personalized score!
Battleground: Mortals vs Monsters Coming to 13th Floor July 30-31!
I knew I was going to enjoy Mortals vs Monsters, but I did not anticipate loving it as much as I ultimately did. Walking the hallways and keeping an eye on the shadows held entirely new significance with a simulated weapon in my hand, and the interaction with the scaractors was just so much fun! I laughed the whole way through the experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
One More Night to Enjoy Battleground: Mortals vs Monsters
If you want to join the battle, you’ll have to act fast. Mortals vs Monsters is in town for one more night – tonight! You can find out more about the event and purchase your tickets on their website!
