Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Brings Its Stealth Adventure To Xbox This Week
“Immerse yourself in an isometric, story-driven stealth experience”
During the weekend, we featured Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream in our summary of games “launching on Xbox next week”, and we decided to delve deeper today – particularly since its release is less than 24 hours away!
If you haven’t stumbled upon it, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is an isometric, narrative-focused stealth title where you take on the role of Hanna, who is on a mission to locate her brother (Herman), who has inexplicably vanished.
Immerse yourself in an isometric, narrative-driven stealth experience set against the breathtaking backdrop of Eriksholm. When Hanna’s sibling, Herman, goes missing and the authorities start to pursue him, her quest triggers a series of devastating events that will not only change their lives but also the fate of the entire city. Unite with your allies, outsmart persistent foes, and employ your wits to uncover the mystery of Herman’s disappearance — where larger forces are involved than you ever foresaw.
The gameplay is described as “tactical”, incorporating a variety of challenges and puzzles, while the environment draws “inspiration from the sophistication and rawness of early 1900s Scandinavia”. The trailer exhibits some visually striking cinematics as well!
Reviews for Eriksholm have begun to surface today in anticipation of the game’s launch this Tuesday, and currently, it boasts a Metacritic average of 72 for PC based on 9 critiques, and an impressive 90 for PS5 derived from 5 assessments.
We’ll conclude with some of those critiques below, and if you’re keen on acquiring it, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream launches for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S on July 15th (though pre-orders aren’t available as of now). The anticipated price is £33.50 / $39.99 – at least that’s the expected price for PC.
The Sixth Axis (10/10)
“Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream deserves recognition as a groundbreaking stealth title. The meticulously crafted sneaking mechanics are a genuine pleasure to experience, while the captivating narrative and immersive environment will keep you sneaking from start to finish. The fact that this marks River End Games’ debut release makes their achievement even more remarkable. To be honest, I cannot wait to see what the team has in store next and I’ll be eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to revisit Eriksholm.”
COGConnected (88/100)
“Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream executes its vision with assurance. It’s evident that River End Games aimed to craft an immersive, narrative-driven adventure anchored in a rich, elaborate world, and they’ve accomplished that. The compelling story, bolstered by superb voice acting, lends authenticity and emotional depth to the characters. Each component appears intentional, from the intricate storytelling to the clever use of puzzles and stealth mechanics. Together, these elements come together to create something genuinely exceptional.”
GamingBolt (80/100)
“While it may not challenge the finest stealth titles in terms of emergent gameplay, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream remains a commendable effort. Even when it feels somewhat safe, it’s supported by remarkable art direction, rounded characters with compelling voice performances, stunning settings with a generous variety, and intricate stealth and puzzles that demand precise timing and coordination.”
PC Gamer (77/100)
“Visually stunning and filled with excellent performances, however, Eriksholm’s stealth mechanics feel overly guided, preventing it from reaching greatness.”
Eurogamer (3/5)
“Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream features lavish cutscenes and a focused interpretation of stealth by remaining deliberately rigid, but fails to fully integrate all its components.”
PCGamesN (4/10)
“Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream aims to weave a grand Dickensian narrative centered around the sibling relationship of a street urchin and her brother, but this ambition is undermined by its lack of emotional stakes. Though the stealth puzzles can be stimulating and challenging, particularly with the option to switch between several characters, they predominantly adhere to the genre’s enduring conventions.”
Excited for Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream on Xbox? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
