"Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream," an isometric narrative stealth game developed by River End Games and published by Nordcurrent Labs, officially launched on July 15, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Despite a relatively quiet pre-release marketing campaign, the game has quickly garnered significant attention, with players expressing surprise at its sudden availability and high quality. The title currently holds a 4.96 out of 5 rating on the PlayStation Store based on verified ratings.
The game's unexpected arrival was highlighted by a tweet from "Reddit Lies," stating, "> "New based game just dropped. https://t.co/T1UgUgq5H." This sentiment was echoed by players, with one noting, "No marketing for this whatsoever and then all of a sudden it’s out." This "surprise drop" strategy appears to have resonated positively with the gaming community, contributing to its immediate buzz.
"Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream" immerses players in a 1900s Scandinavian-inspired city, following Hanna, a young orphan, on her quest to find her missing brother, Herman. The gameplay emphasizes stealth, puzzle-solving, and a compelling narrative, allowing players to control multiple characters with unique abilities. The game's setting and intricate story have been praised for their immersive qualities.
River End Games, the Swedish developer behind the title, consists of a small team of fewer than 20 veteran developers who have previously contributed to AAA franchises such as "Battlefield," "Little Nightmares," and "Mirror's Edge." Nordcurrent Labs, the publisher, acquired River End Games in 2023, seeing significant potential in their debut project. Andrius Mackevičius, head of publishing at Nordcurrent Labs, stated, "When we first laid eyes on Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, we knew that it was going to be something special."
Initial player reviews on platforms like Steam are "very positive," reinforcing the game's strong reception. Critics have also lauded the title, with one review calling it "one of the most enjoyable games I’ve played this year." This positive word-of-mouth and strong critical acclaim suggest a promising future for "Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream" and its developers.