A Puzzle-Field Revolution That Performs It a Bit Too Protected
Welcome to Eriksholm
After I first stepped into the diesel-drenched streets of Eriksholm, I used to be struck by how acquainted all of it felt. Not within the “been there, achieved that” form of means, however extra like choosing up a half-remembered guide out of your childhood and realizing the world inside it was richer than you gave it credit score for.
Set in a dystopian, alternate twentieth century with heavy doses of retro-futurism and political undertones, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream wears its influences proudly. There’s a little bit of Half-Life 2 in its rebellious spirit, a contact of Dishonored within the grime and equipment, and even a sprinkle of Inside or Valiant Hearts in how its puzzles quietly let you know who you’re and what this world has turn out to be.
However regardless of all that environment and intention, Eriksholm can be a tightly locked puzzle field—each actually and figuratively.
Puzzle-Field Precision, for Higher or Worse
Let’s get this out of the way in which: Eriksholm isn’t a sandbox. It’s not a sport that invitations you to experiment, break the foundations, or suppose too far outdoors the field.
Actually, it’s all about discovering that one appropriate path—typically painfully so.
Every chapter appears like a Rube Goldberg machine you have to decipher. Pull the precise lever, anticipate the steam to launch, sneak previous the guard, place the item precisely thereand voilà: progress. However when you get one half mistaken, there’s no “shut sufficient.” You’re despatched again to retrace your steps and check out once more.
Now, when it really works, it’s satisfying—like cracking a secure. However when it doesn’t, it could actually really feel like the sport’s holding your hand simply tightly sufficient to make it laborious to breathe. And sadly, this rigidity actually hurts replayability. As soon as you understand the answer, there’s little motive to return.
There are optionally available collectibles in every chapter that supposedly make issues tougher or deeper, however they’re simply that: optionally available. And for a sport constructed so closely round a single thread of progress, the extras don’t fairly really feel significant sufficient to vary the expertise.
A Sturdy Voice (Even If the Dialogue Doesn’t At all times Match It)
The place the sport does shine is in its voice appearing. Hanna, the protagonist, is dropped at life with a quiet dedication that feels real. She’s no wide-eyed dreamer or overly dramatic insurgent—she’s a plausible younger lady with a trigger, a previous, and simply sufficient chew to make you wish to comply with her.
The supporting forged is strong too. Whether or not it’s fellow resistance members or the weary voices of the oppressed residents you cross paths with, the world sounds alive—even when the gameplay retains you on a slender monitor.
That stated, I couldn’t assist however want Hanna had a number of extra layers. The potential is there. She’s obtained the makings of a revolutionary icon—like a steampunk Katniss —however the sport simply doesn’t give her sufficient area to stretch. I’m hoping that is just the start for her, and that future installments give her extra freedom to breathe.
Lived-In Magnificence
Visually, Eriksholm is a stunner.
The sport’s environments drip with environment—flickering lights, rusted metallic, crumbling posters on partitions that appear to have seen too many revolutions come and go. It’s that uncommon form of artwork course that makes even the quietest alleys really feel filled with historical past.
The lighting particularly stands out. There are moments the place shafts of sunshine lower by means of the gloom excellent, or the place the glow of equipment provides rigidity to your escape. It’s immersive, it’s grounded, and it’s clear a number of love went into constructing this world.
Actually, I discovered myself pausing simply to soak on the planet design greater than as soon as. For a sport that strikes at a comparatively gradual tempo, that’s a power.
A Revolution Simmering Below the Floor
Let’s discuss concerning the story.
Eriksholm begins sturdy. There’s an actual sense of place, of political unrest, and of lives lived below oppression. Hanna’s journey by means of this world touches on surveillance, censorship, betrayal, and sacrifice—all of the elements for a robust narrative.
It jogs my memory in elements of 1984 or Youngsters of Males—not in tone, precisely, however in the way it explores the stress between private survival and the larger good. There’s even a contact of Bioshock Infinite within the concept of a revolt that’s messy, morally ambiguous, and private.
However simply when the story feels prefer it’s able to dig into the philosophical weeds—about selections, about company, about how far you’d go to vary the long run—it pulls again. It’s not that the sport avoids complexity, however relatively that it lays the groundwork after which walks away earlier than actually mining it.
The Group Behind It: Small however Mighty
Let’s take a second to understand the devs.
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream was constructed by a 17-person workforce at River Finish Video games. That’s unimaginable, contemplating the extent of polish, the dimensions of the environments, and the cinematic presentation. The truth that they pulled this off is a testomony to tight course, clear imaginative and prescient, and a number of expertise.
It’s not simply technically spectacular—it’s inspiring. In an trade the place large studios with a whole bunch of individuals can nonetheless miss the mark, seeing a smaller workforce ship one thing this cohesive and thoughtfully made is a reminder of what’s attainable while you deal with doing a number of issues very well.
Certain, it’s not excellent. However few debut titles ever are. And if that is what they’ll pull off now, I can’t wait to see what they do subsequent.
A Strong Basis with Room to Develop
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is an enchanting little sport—a fantastically crafted, narratively wealthy, visually beautiful expertise that stumbles primarily in how tightly it holds the participant’s hand.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a story puzzle sport with sturdy artwork, nice voice appearing, and a protagonist with actual potential, it’s completely value your time. Simply don’t count on to blaze your personal path. This can be a sport that is aware of precisely the place it desires you to go—it simply asks you to determine the best way to get there.
There’s actual potential right here for a wider franchise or perhaps a sequel that offers Hanna the area to really rise because the revolutionary determine she’s clearly meant to be. As a place to begin, Eriksholm provides a strong base, even when it sometimes feels extra like a museum exhibit than an open playground.
Would I like to recommend it? Undoubtedly. Particularly when you’re a fan of narrative adventures, steampunk settings, or methodical puzzles. Simply go in understanding it’s a curated experience—not a freeform sandbox.
Developer: River Finish Video games
Nation of Origin: Sweden
Writer: Nordcurrent
Launch Date: July 15, 2025 (PC, Swap)
The PS5 model of the sport was performed for this overview of Eriksholm : The Stole Dream
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