There is a moment that perfectly encapsulates what Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is all about within the first few moments of the game. Quietly sneaking through a factory, protagonist Hanna grabs a note where a worker writes about how slow-paced, meticulous work is gratifying, to which she brightly replies, “I like this one. He’s got the right attitude.”
Billed as an isometric stealth narrative, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream has among the highest quality cutscenes of the year, which says a lot for an independent studio like River End Games. Acting, facial animations, and dialogues are all top of the line and are a reward for facing the challenges in each chapter. Its brilliant character-based stealth system never ceases to amaze. To top it all off, it has an emotionally charged story that is easy to follow but hard to put down from the very start.
The Mystery Beckons
Set in the fictional town of Eriksholm, the parallels with Europe during the Industrial Revolution are undeniable. Being afflicted by a devastating disease called the Heartpox, its people are suffering more than ever. Amid this turmoil, Hanna is an orphan recovering from said disease. Aided by her brother Herman, one day the police arrive with the news that he is missing and they need her at the precinct. After quickly escaping their grasp, the stage is set for her to find out what is truly happening behind the scenes.
This premise serves as the catalyst for the infinitely intriguing city of Eriksholm, one that is equally harsh and caring, depending on where you look. An underlying mystery that is slowly peeled away throughout each thoughtfully planned chapter, there is so much to discover as the story unfolds. Nothing is what it seems in this world, and the narrative payoff built up from the beginning begs to be witnessed as a first-hand account.
Absolute Cinema
Of course, it is not only the striking storytelling but also how it is portrayed as well. The first scene shows Hanna recuperating from the infamous Heartpox disease before the police arrive, and the chaos that ensues captivates as soon as it plays, never letting up. Hanna’s frowning as she’s being scolded, a subtle sigh, and the natural sibling banter are all little details impeccably presented.
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream’s cutscenes feel like a masterfully directed CGI film at times, and this is no small praise. To see the care put into every one of the sequences can make it the sole motivation to keep going through the trials and tribulations that Hanna must endure to find out the truth of her predicament. To be clear, this is not a criticism of the gameplay, but on the contrary as it works in tandem to elevate the endeavor in and of itself.
By Any Means Necessary
As mentioned, the gameplay, itself, consists of Hanna needing to crouch from shadow to shadow to avoid the police who are desperately looking for her. An interesting element of how this reinforces the story comes via Hanna’s brief soliloquies about the state of the world, her opinions when grabbing certain collectibles, and the enemies, themselves, reacting to your previous choices. What surprises the most in Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is how intricate it eventually becomes.
Recognizing patterns is fundamental to succeeding in reaching every level’s goal. Depending on where you walk, it impacts the sound you make, such as metal being able to alert the enemies or using grass to run freely and silently. Using furniture to move unnoticed, figuring out the enemies’ routes, and precise movements are needed to stay hidden. Stealth is the only way to tackle these situations, so timing is of the essence in all of these increasingly inventive puzzles.
At some point, you are able to control several characters simultaneously with different abilities that need to harmonize together to progress. Hanna can knock out an enemy with her sleeping darts, while her companions can throw rocks to distract them, or swim to unreachable areas near her. Each has a realistic weight to their movements, and the synergy between the three characters feels clever every time you pull it off.
It must be said that, although there are lenient checkpoints, the trial-and-error approach to solving each puzzle can lead to frustration. There is practically no room for error, and hiding a body as a policeman slowly walks towards you is decidedly nerve-wracking. Considering there are no difficulty or accessibility options to speak of, players who are not too avid should get used to seeing that Game Over screen. Thankfully, the game loads instantly, allowing you to try a new method as soon as you respawn.
Conclusion
There is a subdued sense of humor that permeates the narrative throughout. The myth of a ghostly lady in the caverns of the city starts to scare big, burly men, and Hanna, herself, is a defiant protagonist, laughing in the face of adversity. Every district you cross in the city is entirely unique in the conversations of its people and the architecture that you will traverse through. With a believable world building that is just as oppressive as it is hopeful, even the sound design uniquely adheres to each respective area.
Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream excels in delivering carefully crafted moments of tension. Easily following the story only to be hit by unexpected twists makes it an indelible experience. Described as playing a movie in the best of ways, the synchronicity by which the stealth gameplay sections inform the world and the narrative, itself, while being impacted by the decisions your character has made is in a league of its own. As the first video game of a brand new developer, Eriksholm is a sensational example of what ambitious cinematic aspirations and expertly plotted gameplay can accomplish together.
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