Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream offers luxurious cutscenes and a focused twist on stealth by remaining intentionally inflexible, but doesn't quite pull it all together.

Beautiful and stacked with excellent performances, but Eriksholm's stealth feels too much like being led around by the nose to reach greatness.

Eriksholm, for the most part, avoids the critical error of stealth puzzles that grow beyond complex into frustrating, and turns in a series of challenges that are almost always fun and, in the final handful of hours, brilliant. I just wish the rest of the game matched its later heights.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a beautiful and polished stealth game that excels as a meticulously designed puzzle. If you’re looking for creative freedom and sandbox-style options, you’ll be sorely disappointed by its strict linearity. However, if you want a superbly crafted game, a story with layers of subplots, and brilliant puzzles, this is the one for you. For a debut from a new studio, this is an unexpectedly mature and impressive title—and who knows, maybe the North isn’t just about Vikings.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a solid release with a well-crafted story, cinematic cutscenes, and engaging stealth-puzzle gameplay. While replay value is limited and the lack of specific localization options may deter some players, its affordable price and distinctive design make it an appealing choice for fans of the genre. Not for everyone, but those who connect with it will find a rewarding experience.

Eriksholm is the very definition of a surprise hit—an unforgettable title that rivals far bigger productions, excelling in story, gameplay, and technical execution for those willing to embrace its niche genre.

The key to enjoying Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is to think of it not as an open-ended sandbox, there for you to discover all kinds of secrets, but as an intricate diorama, just waiting for you to set things into motion. You may not get the same kind of satisfaction of figuring out inventive ways to solve problems, but you will get to look at a game that’s simply beautiful – and all things considered, it’s a fair trade.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a pleasant surprise from start to finish, offering an isometric stealth experience reminiscent of '90s classics, but with modern visuals and narrative. The game stands out for its engaging story of protagonist Hanna, who must rescue her brother in an Art Nouveau-inspired city, and for its gameplay that prioritizes stealth and clever use of the environment. Despite its linear gameplay and challenges, the progressive difficulty and richly detailed environment make it a highly recommended experience.

Great narrative-driven stealth experience

If you're looking for a story-driven title with well-developed characters, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is definitely a safe bet.