Despite its top-down view, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream does not follow the typical rules of the stealth genre. Developed by River End Games, this upcoming title is not a real-time tactics experience in the style of Commandos or Desperados. Instead, the team crafted a story-first stealth game that emphasizes narrative, character interaction, and handcrafted level design. Launching July 15, 2025, this release blends traditional stealth systems with puzzle-driven progression, offering a different take on isometric gameplay.
Story and Setting in Eriksholm
Set in a fictional Scandinavian city during the early 1900s, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream places players in control of Hannah, a civilian drawn into conflict while searching for her missing brother, Herman. The game leans heavily into narrative, combining stealth gameplay with cutscenes rendered using Unreal Engine 5 and Metahuman technology. The visuals are striking, and the developers use motion capture to give emotional weight to each scene.
Hannah must avoid the local police force while uncovering the truth behind her brother’s disappearance. As the story unfolds, she encounters forces with motives far more dangerous than she expects. The city itself plays a major role, with varied districts reflecting different architectural styles and economic divisions. Political unrest bubbles beneath the surface, drawing comparisons to Disco Elysium in both tone and world-building. This setting supports the stealth mechanics while giving players a believable world to move through.
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream – Official Overview Trailer (IGN Live)
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Stealth Mechanics and Character Switching
Gameplay in Eriksholm centers on familiar stealth mechanics like crouching in grass, watching enemy patrols, and using distractions. However, players will need to solve puzzles by switching between multiple characters. Hannah can crawl through tight spaces and later gains a dart gun for non-lethal takedowns. Alva climbs pipes, while Sebastian can swim and support the team in larger scenarios.
Each encounter is handcrafted. If Hannah or her allies are detected, the game resets to the start of the scene. Some may find this jarring, but it helps maintain narrative momentum. While the design is linear, players have multiple ways to reach objectives. For example, players might use the environment to scatter birds and draw guards away, or choose to sneak past altogether. The stealth is structured but not rigid, giving room for small decisions that impact how each mission plays out.
Exploration, Secrets, and Platform Details
Beyond story and stealth, the game encourages players to look for secrets. Optional areas reward creative thinking and non-standard uses of character skills. For example, combining Hannah’s dart gun with Alva’s climbing ability might reveal hidden collectibles or alternate routes. These sections are not required to progress but offer additional depth and encourage replayability.
NPCs also behave differently than in most stealth games. Citizens know Hannah and sometimes assist her by unlocking shortcuts or misleading guards. This approach makes each interaction feel more grounded, avoiding the “walking quest-giver” issue found in similar titles. The police are also handled with nuance, having their own motivations and routines instead of simply functioning as generic enemies.
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream releases on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on July 15, 2025. It will be priced at $39.99 USD / £33.50 GBP on PC platforms, as confirmed through the game’s Steam news feed. At the time of writing, console pricing has not been finalized on digital storefronts.
PC players can try a demo version available through both Steam and Epic. Save data from the demo will carry into the full game once it launches. Unfortunately, console players won’t have access to a demo at this time, although River End Games may address this in a future update depending on player feedback.
