Review by Jon Donnis
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is one of those rare stealth adventure games that manages to feel both intimate and expansive at the same time. It's set in this fictional Nordic city, Eriksholm, which feels like it's been lifted straight from the early 1900s with a perfect blend of elegance and grit. The isometric perspective really helps bring that world to life, allowing you to soak in the details while plotting your next move.
You start off playing as Hanna, a young orphan whose brother Herman vanishes after stealing something valuable. From there, it quickly turns into a tense, layered narrative about family, loyalty, and the unexpected consequences of actions. Alongside Hanna, you gain control of two other characters, Alva and Sebastian, each bringing their own skills to the table. This swapping mechanic adds depth to the stealth gameplay, since you're constantly thinking about how best to use their unique abilities, Hanna crawling through vents, Alva scaling drainpipes, Sebastian swimming through water, to outwit your pursuers.
What stands out most is the game's atmosphere. The city of Eriksholm feels alive and a little dangerous, every shadow inviting you to hide, every corner threatening discovery. The animations in the cut scenes are stunning, smooth, and detailed, which only pulls you deeper into the story. For a game with such a tight stealth focus, the controls are surprisingly accessible. It's easy to pick up but doesn't feel shallow. There's a satisfying tension in navigating through guards and using environmental clues to avoid detection. And if you get caught, the game nudges you back just before, keeping the frustration low but the stakes high.
The story itself is genuinely gripping. It's personal without being overbearing, and the mysteries unravel with some solid twists that keep you guessing. It's the kind of narrative that stays with you after you've put the controller down. The puzzles aren't overly complicated but provide enough variety and challenge to keep things interesting. They feel fair and well integrated into the story rather than shoehorned in.
On the downside, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is quite linear. If you're someone who thrives on open-world exploration or likes wandering off the beaten path, this might feel restrictive. The city is detailed and beautiful, but you don't get the freedom to roam anywhere you want, which could be a disappointment for those used to more sandbox-style stealth games.
Still, for what it sets out to do, it does it brilliantly. The blend of narrative and gameplay, the sharp design of the levels, and the well-crafted characters make it one of the best isometric stealth adventures in recent years. I'm not usually a fan of the genre, so for me to come away this impressed says a lot.
I really enjoyed my time with Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream and would give it a strong 9.5 out of 10. It's definitely worth your time if you want a thoughtful, atmospheric stealth game with a story that stays with you.
Out now on Xbox - Xbox.com/en-US/games/store/eriksholm-the-stolen-dream/
