Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream

A masterful Commandos-style stealth puzzler with heart, soul, and stunning world-building

When I first saw Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream in a YouTube video about indie games to watch out for, I was instantly pumped. I added it to my Steam wishlist right away, even with a massive backlog and the usual guilt that comes with buying yet another new game.

Fast forward to March 2026 and I finally gave it a go. I was absolutely blown away.

The immediate hook was the classic “Commandos”-esque isometric view, which delivered a huge wave of nostalgia. From the very first moments, you can feel the love and care that River End Games poured into this title. They’ve created a gorgeous, believable world and throw you straight into the deep end of political upheaval.

You play as Hanna, whose brother Herman (who nursed you back to health) has gone missing. The authorities are hunting for him — and now they want to question you too. So you’re immediately on the run. The bond between Hanna and Herman feels strong and genuine, giving your entire journey real emotional weight as you try to find him and uncover what’s really going on.

Gameplay & Puzzling

The puzzling in Eriksholm is outstanding. Almost every situation offers multiple ways to solve it, which keeps things fresh and rewarding. As you progress, you unlock additional characters with unique abilities — such as turning off lights or swimming — and you switch between them to navigate each level. Timing is absolutely key to success, and when everything clicks it feels incredibly satisfying.

The way the story ties directly into your puzzle-solving efforts makes every action feel meaningful. Nothing ever feels like busywork; you’re always advancing the plot and deepening the mystery.

World & Presentation

The environment is simply gorgeous. It masterfully blends industrial revolution aesthetics with steampunk-inspired elements, all set in a beautiful Scandinavian-inspired world. I found myself constantly pausing just to admire the little details — the lighting, the architecture, the atmosphere. It’s one of the most visually compelling isometric games I’ve played in years.

Voice acting is excellent and pairs beautifully with the very expressive character models, bringing the cast to life in a way that elevates the entire experience. Hunting for hidden collectibles is also genuinely rewarding — I didn’t find them all, but I was compelled to check every corner.

Final Dad Verdict

Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream is a standout indie title that deserves far more attention than it’s likely getting. It combines tight, clever stealth-puzzling with a compelling story, memorable characters, and a world you’ll want to soak in.

If you love games like the original Commandos series, Desperados, or any well-crafted isometric stealth experience, this one is an absolute must-play. It’s the rare game that nails both gameplay depth and emotional investment.

I went in hoping for a solid stealth puzzler and came out completely impressed. This is easily one of my favourite games of 2026 so far.

Overall Dad Score: 10/10