Escapewhere

If there’s one escape room in North America that feels like an art installation combined with a theme park attraction, it’s Forgotten Cathedral at Escaparium. With its massive three-story set, breathtaking visuals, and seamless integration of story, puzzles, and performance, this escape room is often called the Disneyland of Laval—and it’s easy to see why.

Quick Overview

• Location: Laval, Quebec · Escaparium
• Duration: Around 90–120 minutes
• Style: Large-scale, story-driven adventure with live GM narration
• Group Size: 4–6 players recommended
• Special Features: Three-story cathedral set, light shows, moving mechanisms, fully voiced guidance

Setting & Atmosphere

The moment the game master (GM) appears, the story begins—no rulebook, no walkie-talkies. Soon after, the GM “disappears,” continuing to guide players entirely through immersive in-character narration.

The scale is jaw-dropping: a three-story-high cathedral you can physically explore, running up and down while solving puzzles. Every corner is lavishly detailed, with mechanisms hidden throughout. Lanterns, stained glass, and gothic architecture create an awe-inspiring backdrop, while theatrical light shows punctuate the gameplay.

Storyline & Gameplay

• Premise: You are tourists entering an abandoned cathedral, when suddenly your guide is captured by a demon. From then on, it’s up to you to push forward and save him.
• Puzzle Flow: Each solved puzzle triggers a new scene or show element, alternating between gameplay and performance.
• Guidance: The GM remains “in character” at all times, delivering voice cues, hints, and dramatic narration.
• Mechanisms: Escaparium spares no expense—moving props, shifting set pieces, and interactive mechanics keep the experience dynamic.

Highlights

• Unparalleled Scale: A cathedral so large and detailed it feels like you’re inside a movie set.
• Immersion-First Design: No written instructions—only narration and environmental storytelling.
• Theatrical Integration: Puzzle-solving alternates with staged light shows, creating rhythm and drama.
• Craftsmanship: Dozens of staff worked on the build, and it shows in every detail.

Things to Note

• With music and sound effects playing loudly at times, it can occasionally be hard to hear the GM’s voice.
• The grandeur of the environment can make you miss small moving elements unless you stay alert.
• Recommended to review basic church-related vocabulary if English is not your first language—it helps with immersion.

Who Should Play

• Escape Room Veterans: This is a bucket-list room for enthusiasts worldwide.
• Immersive Theater Fans: Perfect for players who love story and spectacle as much as puzzles.
• Traveling Groups: Worth the trip to Laval on its own, as few escape rooms anywhere reach this scale.

Final Verdict

Forgotten Cathedral is more than an escape room—it’s a masterpiece of immersive entertainment. With its cathedral-sized stage, flawless storytelling, and jaw-dropping design, it rivals Disney attractions in quality.

One-line Highlight: A three-story cathedral escape room so grand it rivals Disneyland attractions—an unmissable immersive adventure.