So this is Singapore’s first dark house. Is it really dark? Yes. Often, you can barely see the way forward. But is it so dark that you are ‘blind’ and have to feel your way around? Not quite.

It would be challenging to describe Tunnel People, because it is memorable for the suspense – if you could experience it. The cautious visitor would approach slowly, looking around corners to find light sources showing the way. There is a variety of Cultists hiding in the alcoves and hidden doors, but none advance the story the same way as typical houses.

Unfortunately for those who have no inkling of the backstory, this house may end up feeling like a dark ‘tunnel’ with hooded characters caught in a collective trance. I thought there would be scenes of libraries, graves, dungeons and menageries. Nope, seems like the Tunnel People are simple folks, and their hideout embraces minimalism. We saw the light in the final room. Because it’s really – the brightest. It’s a shame really, as it was an unsatisfying finale, and overall the story didn’t quite.. surface.

Tunnel People is also this year’s shortest house, because it is split to two paths that share the same entrance and exit. The scenes are similar, but it’s not exactly the same. And I believe there are alternate paths for wheelchair access.

Typically, scares in haunted houses become less effective when guests are crammed up inside into one long, slow-moving train of people. Some tricks of surprise and shock would still work. Tunnel People is greatly affected by this, because the house hinges on uncertainty. Being stuck knowing where exactly to walk to next would break the house’s element of suspense.

If you can’t see the group in front, or behind you, Tunnel People can be quite unsettling. Especially if you are leading the way. It’s tense not knowing where to go; checking every shadow cautiously. Clearly this is how the house is designed to be. I was lucky to experience this during the opening night.

What the park could do is to have strict crowd control here. Only small groups should be allowed in, and they should be paced far apart. Well, that would be ideal if not when it’s a 2-hour wait outside.