PC Critic Reviews

TOEM 2 is a lovely game and a wonderful way to while away an afternoon as the beautiful visuals, hypnotic soundtrack and fun puzzles melt you into your sofa.

Through small refinements and an expansion of its central theme, Toem 2 follows 2021’s breakout with a genial photographic adventure that burrows into the soul and warms you from the inside.

TOEM 2 is a wonderful follow-up to an Indie gem that shows why the first game was so highly regarded. The charm of the world and its characters draws you in, while the puzzles feel good to solve and will require some thought. Not all of the changes stick the landing, and it’s a very short experience, but it’s a worthwhile one.

Toem 2 is another delightful photographic journey that tells us all to slow down as well as explores the power of community.

I’m jealous of newcomers who get to play TOEM 1 and 2 in quick succession. Because they’ll be getting an eight-hour experience that scratches all of the cosy and photographic itches. On its own, TOEM 2 does feel disappointingly short, but it’s also dense with some of the most delightful characters, quests and critters that gaming can find. And as a feet-up, steamdeck-in-the-armchair experience, I don’t think there’s a game that can beat it.

Toem 2 is a charming and laid-back sequel that expands on the original with larger environments, improved traversal, new tools, and a more dimensional black-and-white world that remains a joy to photograph. Its whimsical characters and distraction-filled exploration make wandering consistently rewarding, even if forgiving progression and underdeveloped puzzle mechanics leave the adventure lacking a stronger challenge ceiling.

Toem 2 is a wonderful little game to explore. It feels like a vacation from the real world with fun gameplay, cute characters and delightful music and sound design. There’s a lot to discover in the world, with plenty of critters to find, tasks to complete and endless silly things to take photos of, so even after completing your journey to the Whirling Birch Bloom, there are still plenty of reasons to come back and add some new photos to your album.

Toem 2 is short, sweet and exceedingly lovely across its runtime. With a simplicity in its design and the overall adventure, it’s not a particularly groundbreaking sequel. But with its devotion to being good (in spirit and in experience) it’s an all-round wonderful time. Play Toem 2 and feel the whimsy wash over you. Like receiving a warm hug, you’ll feel much better afterwards.

TOEM 2 preserves the essence of the original while expanding the experience without losing its cozy charm. Photography remains the main reason to explore every corner, while new tools, smoother movement, and larger worlds make exploration more varied and enjoyable. Its lovable characters, humorous situations, and distinctive art direction remain highlights, although the new features do not radically change the established formula and may feel familiar to returning players. Even so, TOEM 2 offers a charming and competent sequel that prioritizes curiosity and creativity over challenge.

It may play it safe and is perhaps a little too similar to its predecessor, but TOEM 2 is another fantastic adventure game that has you taking photos to solve puzzles. Presented in black and white and an absolute joy to play, what TOEM 2 lacks in colour it more than makes up for in charm.