Toem 2 is a familiar yet fun sequel adventure that finds even more ways to make peeking at the world through a camera feel magical. Something We Made returns with another lovingly made camera-based adventure filled with plenty of worlds to explore and eccentric characters to meet within them.
In the realm of cosy games, a sub-genre that’s only continued to grow in popularity in recent years, the original Toem managed to find a quirky yet effective way of standing out. Its handcrafted, diorama-like world was presented in black-and-white to help you keep a handle on it, but through the simple act of putting a camera in your hand, it made moving from city to city, observing the sights laying within them, and meeting all kinds of quirky characters in need of your help a surprisingly relaxing and fulfilling endeavour.
A sequel in the truest sense
In that sense, Something We Made’s follow-up is a sequel in the truest sense, once again setting you off on a short but rewarding adventure - albeit with even more ways to interact with such worlds through the lens of a camera. To some, how straightforward Toem 2 plays it might disappoint those who felt like they got what they wanted out of the first game. Yet, thanks to a raft of new camera functions and a handful of more in-depth cityscapes to roam that all riff on a fun theme, this is an equally charming journey that proves one picture can tell a thousand stories if you frame it the correct way.
From a pure gameplay perspective Toem 2 doesn’t shake things up too much at all. You still play as a budding photographer who journeys from their appropriately named town of Homelandia by bus, venturing from location to location in search of the next titular festival celebration. Much like a lot of stories, however, the journey is a lot better than the destination. Most of which are tied to the incredibly large roster of new faces who are all in need of help, the kind of which can only be solved by someone possessing a camera.
Take your shot
One of the things appreciated most about Toem 2 is that it doesn’t pull a Metroid, letting you keep all the camera upgrades you acquired in the first game such as a Tripod, the ability to use it remotely, as well as a few lenses and filters. This has allowed developer Something We Made to not only make you feel well-equipped to take accomplished shots right away, but also layer on top of these existing functions a whole raft of new ones that come in more handy when helping the local populace in a more practical sense.
Not all of Toem 2’s new camera functions are spoiled since this is another short adventure with fresh discoveries that are best experienced on your own. However, using the camera to snip away at the weeds plaguing the initial location you visit was a nice surprise and a good example of how not every task you’re invited to help with necessarily involves taking a picture. Much like before, there’s still a gaggle of wildlife creatures to add to your photo album in between all the other, stamp-related tasks asked of you that are required to move on. Being able to do so at your own pace, in whatever order you choose, is still one of Toem 2’s biggest allures. There’s literally no wrong or right way to play it.
A photography-fuelled sequel
For what else it’s worth, the lists of duties required of you are far less obtuse than the first game. This made continuously roaming around each diorama less of a frustration when trying to solve a puzzle. This, combined with the ability to now jump up to and on buildings and even more ways to customise your main character through outfits and masks, do enough to give Toem 2 its own distinct identity compared to before.
It all culminates in a photography-fuelled sequel that proves to be just as charming, fulfilling, and wholesome as the first. One that similarly respects your time yet finds all-new ways to make your camera-related exploits a fun way to explore a town or three. Sure, Toem 2 might be more iterative than outright revolutionary, but that’s exactly what is wanted out of a sequel to one of the favourite cosy indie game darlings that previously left you wanting more. It’s a true testament to Something We Made nailing the fundamentals of how much fun it is to observe the world through a camera lens the first time, all of which have been refined to make for an even more endearingly sweet journey about self-discovery.
Rating: 5/5. Toem 2 is scheduled to release on PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 on Tuesday, September 29.
