Jul 22, 2025

Eriksholm The Stolen Dream Review

Mahmud Munazil Rahman

A Puzzle-Box Revolution That Plays It a Bit Too Safe

Welcome to Eriksholm

When I first stepped into the diesel-drenched streets of Eriksholm, I was struck by how familiar it all felt. Not in the “been there, done that” kind of way, but more like picking up a half-remembered book from your childhood and realizing the world inside it was richer than you gave it credit for.

Set in a dystopian, alternate 20th century with heavy doses of retro-futurism and political undertones, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream wears its influences proudly. There’s a bit of Half-Life 2 in its rebellious spirit, a touch of Dishonored in the grime and machinery, and even a sprinkle of Inside or Valiant Hearts in how its puzzles quietly tell you who you are and what this world has become.

But despite all that atmosphere and intention, Eriksholm is also a tightly locked puzzle box—both literally and figuratively.

Puzzle-Box Precision, for Better or Worse

Let’s get this out of the way: Eriksholm is not a sandbox. It’s not a game that invites you to experiment, break the rules, or think too far outside the box.

In fact, it’s all about finding that one correct path—sometimes painfully so.

Each chapter feels like a Rube Goldberg machine you need to decipher. Pull the right lever, wait for the steam to release, sneak past the guard, place the object exactly there, and voilà: progress. But if you get one part wrong, there’s no “close enough.” You’re sent back to retrace your steps and try again.

Now, when it works, it’s satisfying—like cracking a safe. But when it doesn’t, it can feel like the game’s holding your hand just tightly enough to make it hard to breathe. And unfortunately, this rigidity really hurts replayability. Once you know the solution, there’s little reason to return.

There are optional collectibles in each chapter that supposedly make things harder or deeper, but they’re just that: optional. And for a game built so heavily around a single thread of progress, the extras don’t quite feel meaningful enough to change the experience.

A Strong Voice (Even If the Dialogue Doesn’t Always Match It)

Where the game does shine is in its voice acting. Hanna, the protagonist, is brought to life with a quiet determination that feels genuine. She’s no wide-eyed dreamer or overly dramatic rebel—she’s a believable young woman with a cause, a past, and just enough bite to make you want to follow her.

The supporting cast is solid too. Whether it’s fellow resistance members or the weary voices of the oppressed citizens you cross paths with, the world sounds alive—even when the gameplay keeps you on a narrow track.

That said, I couldn’t help but wish Hanna had a few more layers. The potential is there. She’s got the makings of a revolutionary icon—like a steampunk Katniss —but the game just doesn’t give her enough space to stretch. I’m hoping this is just the beginning for her, and that future installments give her more freedom to breathe.

Lived-In Beauty

Visually, Eriksholm is a stunner.

The game’s environments drip with atmosphere—flickering lights, rusted metal, crumbling posters on walls that seem to have seen too many revolutions come and go. It’s that rare kind of art direction that makes even the quietest alleys feel full of history.

The lighting especially stands out. There are moments where shafts of light cut through the gloom just right, or where the glow of machinery adds tension to your escape. It’s immersive, it’s grounded, and it’s clear a lot of love went into building this world.

Honestly, I found myself pausing just to soak in the world design more than once. For a game that moves at a relatively slow pace, that’s a strength.

A Revolution Simmering Under the Surface

Let’s talk about the story.

Eriksholm starts strong. There’s a real sense of place, of political unrest, and of lives lived under oppression. Hanna’s journey through this world touches on surveillance, censorship, betrayal, and sacrifice—all the ingredients for a powerful narrative.

It reminds me in parts of 1984 or Children of Men—not in tone, exactly, but in how it explores the tension between personal survival and the greater good. There’s even a touch of Bioshock Infinite in the idea of a rebellion that’s messy, morally ambiguous, and personal.

But just when the story feels like it’s ready to dig into the philosophical weeds—about choices, about agency, about how far you’d go to change the future—it pulls back. It’s not that the game avoids complexity, but rather that it lays the groundwork and then walks away before really mining it.

The Team Behind It: Small but Mighty

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the devs.

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream was built by a 17-person team at River End Games. That’s incredible, considering the level of polish, the scale of the environments, and the cinematic presentation. The fact that they pulled this off is a testament to tight direction, clear vision, and a lot of talent.

It’s not just technically impressive—it’s inspiring. In an industry where massive studios with hundreds of people can still miss the mark, seeing a smaller team deliver something this cohesive and thoughtfully made is a reminder of what’s possible when you focus on doing a few things really well.

Sure, it’s not perfect. But few debut titles ever are. And if this is what they can pull off now, I can’t wait to see what they do next.

A Solid Foundation with Room to Grow

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a fascinating little game—a beautifully crafted, narratively rich, visually stunning experience that stumbles mainly in how tightly it holds the player’s hand.

If you’re looking for a narrative puzzle game with strong art, great voice acting, and a protagonist with real potential, it’s absolutely worth your time. Just don’t expect to blaze your own trail. This is a game that knows exactly where it wants you to go—it just asks you to figure out how to get there.

There’s real potential here for a wider franchise or even a sequel that gives Hanna the space to truly rise as the revolutionary figure she’s clearly meant to be. As a starting point, Eriksholm offers a solid base, even if it occasionally feels more like a museum exhibit than an open playground.

Would I recommend it? Definitely. Especially if you’re a fan of narrative adventures, steampunk settings, or methodical puzzles. Just go in knowing it’s a curated ride—not a freeform sandbox.

Developer: River End Games
Country of Origin: Sweden
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Release Date: July 15, 2025 (PC, Switch)