Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review – She Knows the Marks

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In simpler terms, the year 2025 has been an exhilarating roller coaster ride filled with unexpected successes, both critically and commercially, that have come from smaller or independent studios. The size of the teams often takes a back seat to the powerful originality of the concepts. This year has seen a turn-based RPG challenging the likes of Final Fantasy, an open-world RPG giving The Elder Scrolls a run for its money, a rogue-lite puzzler brimming with secrets, and something mysterious like Shujinkou – all indicative of a year overflowing with groundbreaking ideas, brought to life in extraordinary ways.

Let’s delve right into “Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream” by River End Games. From the get-go, it sparked my curiosity. With its captivating isometric view and stunning cinematics, a mysterious yet familiar atmosphere (set in 1900s Scandinavia), emphasizing stealth elements, and a pocket-friendly price tag of $39.99, it’s a deal I’d happily make multiple times. Although there are areas where the implementation could be improved – or at worst, might cause minor irritations – “Eriksholm” offers an enchanting adventure that keeps you captivated throughout.

In the heart of the gritty metropolis we call home, I find myself entwined in a gripping tale centered around my sister Hanna and our missing brother, Herman. The absence of Herman casts an ominous shadow over us, but things take a turn for the bizarre when the law enforcement arrives at our doorstep. Instead of submitting to their interrogation, I opt for the unconventional route – leading them on a thrilling chase through the city and its diverse neighborhoods.

As we navigate this world, it becomes increasingly evident that our surroundings can be as treacherous as they are fascinating. This story serves not just as an exciting adventure, but also as a chilling reflection of the harsh realities lurking within the city’s underbelly.

A disease called Heartpox is spreading rampantly within the city, leaving heaps of decaying coffins on docks to be removed. The newly elected mayor won the election but failed to win the people’s favor. The Industrial Revolution brought hardships upon many citizens, making them vulnerable to police control when they weren’t preoccupied with feeding their families or securing enough work for money. It’s a grim situation that frequently arises in discussions as Hanna leaps, dodges, and runs through rooftops, factories, and cable cars. Since they are largely ignored by society, working with authorities offers no assurance of personal protection.

Naturally, the question that comes to mind is: Why are the authorities actively searching for Herman? They seem to be putting immense effort into capturing Hanna, mobilizing resources from all directions, closing bridges and even stopping freight trains to locate her. This mystery is a significant factor in Hanna’s quest to find Herman and uncover the truth about the situation.

Initially, the atmosphere seems quite similar to Dishonored, but don’t be fooled by the tension – this game isn’t about lengthy chases or massacres. Instead, it offers a strategic action-adventure experience, with the action carefully blending stealth and puzzle-solving. The gameplay flow is well-managed, ensuring you’re not caught off guard when dealing with guards. If you’re spotted, it’s game over, sending Hanna back to one of several checkpoints for another attempt. Unlike a sandbox game, your goal isn’t to improvise, but to find the ideal way to move past guards undetected.

Initially, Eriksholm seems rather simple due to its moderate challenge level and limited actions for Hanna, who can only sprint or hide. However, it offers more than just these basics, with stunning visuals that the camera effectively showcases at maximum settings and 1440p resolution. Although the frequent inner voice hints from Hanna may seem excessive, the game is strengthened by robust voice acting and dialogue. As you progress, you’ll encounter situations that demand distraction of guards, utilizing moving cargo for stealth, and manipulating machinery to generate noise, enabling traversal over noisier surfaces.

When Hanna enters Chapter 2, she obtains a blow-dart gun used for putting guards into a deep slumber. However, it’s essential to use concealment while doing this as they have a brief moment to look around and possibly alert others. Once the enemies are asleep, they can be moved about – which proves useful in later chapters when additional weight is required. Soon enough, Hanna finds herself exploring deserted mines, trying to activate machinery or decipher markings to identify the correct wooden planks for crossing.

The game really gets exciting when you command multiple characters, and that’s when Alva, the charismatic head of a notorious thieves’ guild, enters the scene. She showcases her distinct abilities, like scaling pipes or shattering lightbulbs to momentarily distract guards, or even hurling stones for the same effect. When paired with Hanna, she can generate shadowy zones that enable Hanna to put opponents into a deep slumber without the need for cover.

At first, I had worries about controlling two characters simultaneously when necessary, but such situations occur rarely. These infrequent instances, along with the existing environmental mechanics, effectively underscore the stealth puzzle style unique to Eriksholm. Although it might not be entirely novel, the execution is exceptional (and this is before a third playable character becomes part of the gameplay).

Instead of just surpassing guards and listening to chats, the world mainly consists of stunning landscapes and collectibles. Additional information about certain characters and events can be found in letters, notices, and advertisements, shedding light on Eriksholm’s current situation. The main storyline, characters, new locations, and challenges are what keep you motivated. This implies that the environments outside your tasks offer limited opportunities for interaction and exploration.

The characters in this work are all quite richly portrayed. Even the guards, who seem to be simply doing their duty, have unique personas. Some fear the legendary Lady of the Mountain, some question how far they should go to capture a single girl, while others just pass the time with camaraderie. Unfortunately, their artificial intelligence doesn’t exceed the basic level seen in “Metal Gear Solid 1”, where they react only to immediate threats and won’t investigate if you throw rocks at them without any apparent cause.

From my gaming perspective, when enemies spot me, it seems like they need a moment to fully realize I’m sneaking up on them. This delay adds to the tension in gameplay, but from a narrative standpoint, if they don’t react immediately or investigate further, it can diminish the immersion a bit.

At Eriksholm, they sometimes focus on jotting down clues for puzzles. Occasionally, you might need to sift through your items to locate the necessary note. It would be more convenient if there was an option to jump directly to the latest note or move straight to the end.

As a fan, I must admit that Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream may not be able to challenge the best stealth games when it comes to emergent gameplay, but let me tell you, it’s still an impressive endeavor. At times, it can feel secure, but its strength lies in its exceptional art direction, characters with depth and strong voice acting, beautiful environments filled with variety, and challenging stealth and puzzles that demand precision and coordination. It’s another delightful surprise in a year overflowing with them and a genuinely enjoyable game in its own right.

This game was reviewed on PC.

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2025-07-14 16:12