Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review: A Shockingly Beautiful Stealth Masterpiece

I’m so tired. Tired of broken launches, half-finished battle passes, and hundred-hour open worlds with the creative soul of a spreadsheet. So when a game from a brand-new studio slides across my desk, my expectations are usually somewhere below the floorboards. But every once in a while, a game comes along that doesn’t just raise the bar; it reminds you why you fell in love with this medium in the first place. Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is that game. It’s a stunning, polished, and fiercely intelligent work of art that has absolutely no business being this good.

A City I Didn't Want to Leave

The first thing that grabs you by the throat is the art direction. Holy shit. In a world of sterile photorealism, Eriksholm is a painterly masterpiece. The city is a sprawling, early 20th-century Nordic port, and every frame is packed with so much detail and atmosphere you can almost taste the crisp sea air and smell the aging redbrick factories. The art reminds me of the legendary work of Viktor Antonov on Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, and I can’t give higher praise than that. I spent an obscene amount of time just slowly panning the camera around, admiring the lighting and the sheer artistry on display.

Whispers on the Wind

This world doesn’t just look alive; it feels alive. The worldbuilding is masterfully woven into the background. You learn more about the city’s politics and the mystery at its heart by overhearing the incidental conversations of guards and citizens than you do from any collectible note. It’s a level of environmental storytelling that bigger studios with hundred-million-dollar budgets constantly fail to achieve. It makes the city of Eriksholm a character in its own right.

The Thinking Person's Sneak-'em-up

Don’t let the comparisons to Commandos or Desperados fool you. This isn’t some sprawling sandbox where you can tackle objectives from any angle. Eriksholm is a much more focused and linear experience, and it’s all the better for it. Each level is a meticulously designed puzzle box of guard patrols, environmental hazards, and character abilities.

A Puzzle Box of Guards and Shadows

The game presents you with a challenge and gives you a specific set of tools to solve it. This isn't about finding one of ten possible solutions; it's about finding the solution. That might sound restrictive, but in practice, it feels like a chess match. It respects my intelligence enough to present a real challenge but respects my time enough not to waste it with meaningless choices. And when you finally execute that perfectly timed sequence of moves, you feel like a goddamn genius. The generous checkpoint system also means that failure is a chance to learn, not a frustrating punishment.

Smooth as Silk

The most shocking thing about Eriksholm is its polish. From a new studio, I expect a certain level of jank. I found none. The game runs flawlessly, the controls are smooth as hell, and the entire experience is seamless. The fact that a game this gorgeous runs this well at launch is an indictment of the entire AAA industry. This is how it’s supposed to be done.

A Story Worth Listening To

A game can be beautiful and play well, but it all falls apart if the narrative is crap. Thankfully, Eriksholm delivers here, too. The central mystery surrounding Hanna’s search for her brother is gripping from the start, brought to life by some of the best voice acting I’ve heard all year.

AAA Voice Acting on an Indie Budget

The cinematic cutscenes are breathtaking, with character animations and facial expressions that feel real and emotionally resonant. The cast, with their wide range of authentic British accents, make every line of dialogue feel believable. These aren't just video game characters; they are people, and their plight is compelling. The story does get a little shaky right at the very end, feeling like maybe a chapter or two got cut, but the journey to get there is so damn good that I can forgive a slightly wobbly landing.

The Verdict

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a rare, unexpected, and absolutely essential game. It’s a stunningly beautiful and intelligently designed experience that stands as a testament to what a passionate, focused team can achieve. In a sea of cynical, bloated cash grabs, this game is a beacon of quality, artistry, and respect for the player. It’s one of the best games I’ve played in a long, long time, and it deserves to be a massive success. Don’t let this one fly under your radar.

Score: 9.0/10

We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way.