Sauve Qui Peut - "The Castle of Eternal Suffering"

Dave Bristol
13 minutes ago
4 min read

LOCATION:  Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada

Sauve Qui Peut - "The Castle of Eternal Suffering"

Photo above is property of Sauve Qui Peut

Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

📝 ETR DECODER

🔑 GAME: The Castle of Eternal Suffering
📅 DATE PLAYED: October 23, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Horror, Haunted
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 120 Mins.
💰 PRICE: CAD $80/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes

📖 THE STORY

The holidays were winding down, but your appetite for adventure wasn’t ready to rest. You hear whispers from uneasy villagers of a forgotten castle… how could you resist? The deeper you ventured into the forest, the quieter the world became, until even the wind seemed to hold its breath. Then, through the fog, it appeared: a looming fortress frozen in time, its towers clawing at the clouds. The air grew heavy. The silence pressed close. And the castle waited…do you dare enter and uncover its secrets?

🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE

A feast for the senses: This game challenges you physically and mentally as it develops the narrative, all while you’re surrounded by beautiful, bespoke construction whose scope is befitting a castle! It truly is a well-rounded game. And everything here (set, props, puzzles) was locally designed and built, spotlighting both SQP’s remarkable skill and the work of talented local artists.
Timeless design: The GM ensures everyone experiences the full story…no group left behind! So, with no visible clock and knowledge that hints will be offered if needed to keep you on pace, you can fully immerse yourself without time anxiety.
Puzzles that satisfy: Completely lock-free, flawlessly functioning tech, and satisfying layers of logic and teamwork. One multi-part sequence in particular we really loved. Minimal searching (a relief for our scavenging-impaired selves). Lighting is beautifully integrated with the puzzles as well, subtly guiding your progress and helping to demarcate solves. The story can be told in English or French, but the puzzles themselves are language-free and accessible to all.
Haunting, not horrifying: Expect tension and heart-pounding moments, but no gore, jump scares, or contact. The live actor adds depth, not fear, and is a strong narrative presence that elevates the experience. The darker moments are interspersed with moments of levity to keep the experience from feeling too dark and oppressive. Overall, this game can therefore appeal to a much broader set of folks.
Perfect pacing: Narrative pauses are thoughtfully interwoven, giving space to absorb story beats before plunging back into the action. This sequencing, along with the knowledge we would be able to finish the game, meant we took in much more of the narrative than we often do and helped let the story land emotionally.

🧩 MISSED THE MARK

There’s not much to criticize with this experience, but a few considerations for some players:

Color concerns: Multiple puzzles rely on color distinctions that might challenge some color-blind players, though they’ve received feedback that the selected colors are distinguishable (and the puzzles solvable) by the color-blind participants they’ve had.
Physical considerations: While SQP is very intentional and safety-conscious, a particular aspect (which we loved!) could be tough for anyone with neck or back issues…mention it to your GM beforehand.

🏹 TAKE A SHOT?

A new must-play in the Montreal area, The Castle of Eternal Suffering elevates SQP’s design to new heights. It’s a masterclass in balance: pairing cinematic sets and emotional storytelling with thoughtful, satisfying puzzles and even a touch of physicality. (You’ll require mobility but not exceptional strength or athleticism to conquer these aspects; there’s a workaround for individuals to skip them if needed). Every detail feels intentional and smoothly delivered. While some of the world’s top TERPECA games lean heavily toward narrative or spectacle, this experience manages to keep its puzzle heart beating strong without losing an ounce of immersion. The story unfolds with gothic grandeur, yet never feels oppressive, and can be enjoyed by those who might choose to skip horror rooms.

SQP’s “everyone finishes” approach feels like the future of the industry: it lets players savor the journey instead of racing the clock. The result is a game that feels more like an experience that lingers long after you’ve left the castle gates. So yes, brave adventurer, go forth and enter. The castle is waiting…and trust us, this is one haunting you’ll want to be part of.

🔎 HINT

The snakes won’t slither to life for a timid touch…use your whole palm to make them glow.

ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO

The lobby/waiting area where you check in also has lockers and seating. (And was fabulously decorated for Halloween on this visit.) There also are bathrooms available. There are a variety of parking options (both paid lots, free lots, and paid street parking) in the area. The closest free lot is about a 3-5 minute walk. All games are playable in both French and English.