Swedish indie studio River End Games has announced that their highly anticipated isometric stealth strategy game, Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream, will launch on July 15, 2025. The game combines narrative-driven gameplay with tactical stealth mechanics set in a beautifully rendered early 1900s Scandinavian fantasy world.
Release Information
- Release Date: July 15, 2025
- Platforms: Steam, Epic Games Store
- Developer: River End Games (Swedish indie studio)
- Genre: Isometric stealth strategy game
Developer Pedigree and Vision
River End Games brings impressive credentials to this project, with team members who previously worked on major franchises including Battlefield, Battlefront, and Mirror's Edge. The studio's development philosophy centers on creating an immersive cinematic experience. According to Anders Hejdenberg from River End Games, extensive playtesting has consistently yielded feedback that it feels like I'm playing a movie, but in a great way.
Setting and Narrative Framework
The game unfolds in the fictional city of Eriksholm, inspired by Nordic cities of the early 1900s period. Players enter a world ravaged by a plague-like disease called Heartpox, where the story follows siblings Hanna and Herman who find themselves in trouble with authorities. When Herman disappears and a police chief comes investigating, Hanna must navigate the shadows to uncover a deeper conspiracy. The city itself serves as a central character, requiring players to master its layout and navigate its streets strategically.
Game Inspirations and Comparisons
- Similar to: Commandos, Shadow Tactics, Mutant Year Zero
- Setting: Early 1900s Scandinavian fantasy
- Key disease: Heartpox plague affecting the city
- Gameplay focus: Evasion over direct combat
Gameplay Mechanics and Character System
Eriksholm employs a three-character system where players swap between different protagonists to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles using each character's unique abilities. Hanna specializes in stealth tactics, capable of diving into ducts and using a sleep-dart blowpipe to neutralize enemies. Her companion Alva offers enhanced mobility, able to climb drainpipes and create distractions by tossing pebbles. The gameplay emphasizes evasion over direct confrontation, as the characters are not equipped for head-to-head combat encounters.
Character Abilities
- Hanna: Sleep-dart blowpipe, duct navigation, enemy knockout capabilities
- Alva: Enhanced mobility, drainpipe climbing, distraction creation with pebbles
- Three-character system: Players swap between protagonists to solve puzzles
Strategic Depth and Replayability
The game draws inspiration from classic PC strategy titles like Commandos, Shadow Tactics, and Mutant Year Zero, presenting challenges from an isometric perspective. Each section requires careful planning and execution, with failure resulting in restarts that don't push players back frustratingly far. The tactical depth encourages multiple approaches to each scenario, with environmental elements and character abilities combining to create numerous solution paths.
Visual Presentation and Technical Execution
Eriksholm showcases richly lit and beautifully animated cutscenes that advance the narrative between gameplay segments. The visual design captures the atmospheric essence of early 1900s Scandinavia while incorporating fantasy elements that enhance the mysterious tone. The presentation quality has been consistently highlighted as a standout feature since the game's initial reveal at December's PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted.
Platform Availability and Market Positioning
The game will be available on both Steam and the Epic Games Store when it launches on July 15, 2025. Eriksholm positions itself within the current resurgence of stealth games, offering a narrative-focused experience that combines classic tactical gameplay with modern production values. The title represents River End Games' commitment to delivering a cinematic gaming experience that prioritizes storytelling alongside strategic gameplay mechanics.