Product Info

Platform

Switch 2, Switch, PlayStation 5, PC

Publisher

Something We Made

Developer

Something We Made

Series

TOEM

Genre

Action, Puzzle

Players

1

File Size (Minimum)

435 MB

Release Date (NA)

Sep 29, 2026

Purchase From

eShop

Steam

Home » TOEM 2 (Review)

TOEM 2 is a cozy, creative, fun adventure where players will solve puzzles, take photos, meet quirky characters, and more. It’s a pure joy of entertainment but doesn’t last long.

On the Road Again

Set after the TOEM, originally released in September 2021, this sequel follows a curious photographer off on a new journey to see the Whirling Birch bloom. A majestic view that’s a rare sight to behold. You’ll have to make a long trip between each location before arriving at Whirlhill to see the plant bloom.

The main mechanic you’ll use is your trusty camera. Many townsfolk are approachable to chat, and many are in need of requests. Whether it’s finding a lost animal or locating a specific object, your trusty camera will help those in need, even if they are quirky and comical too. Some characters in each location do play a larger role. For example, a resident of Cropten requests your assistance in multiple locations within the area to trim the weeds that are growing throughout. Helping some of these “friends” can add some impact to the game’s ending.

The more assistance you provide, the better the party will be at Whirlhill. Each friend will offer a tool to help them that requires you to use your camera to focus and adjust targeting items such as snipping plants, hammering nails, or unscrewing/screwing pieces. It’s a little quirky how the game works with the camera, but it’s a delightful mini experience. There’s no time limit on how to complete your task, which makes the experience more comfortable and cozy than anxious.

Using Your Noggin

While TOEM 2 is designed to use your camera for solving puzzles and completing requests, this aspect feels less significant than it did in the first game. Camera shots remain an important feature for helping the townsfolk remember the locations of their lost animals or objects.

There aren’t any camera attachments or upgrades to the camera like in the original, and a good handful of quests don’t require a camera. For instance, some quests involve wearing specific outfits or collecting a certain number of items to create a final product for delivery. While you are solving puzzles, TOEM 2 doesn’t feel like a photography adventure when compared to the original.

Collecting photos of critters and key locations continues to exist in TOEM 2 to help complete the game at 100%, making it feel fun and not a chore. Completing every mission and finding all outfits and cassette tapes do make searching fun, like an interactive I SPY book. Completing everything feels like an accomplishment, even if it takes a day. Players of the first TOEM will be pleased to learn that your album can now hold 256 photos. However, the ability to like photos to prevent their deletion is not available.

New Heights to Explore

Environments feel more interactive than previously, and with the ability to jump and climb, there’s more vertical space to explore. For example, you can jump on balloons or pedestals or climb up ladders. One of the biggest features added to TOEM 2 is the overview map located in the corner of the screen. The map highlights areas you have visited and turns based on the game’s overview camera view. A feature I never knew I needed until playing TOEM 2 that makes exploring each location easier. You can take selfies much more easily with a function available at the start of the game that allows the camera to float in the air, enabling you to adjust its angle and zoom, while tripods are limited.

The designs are 2.5D environments with black-and-white illustrations, but the designs in TOEM 2 feel and look cleaner and sharper. The game also simplifies menu designs by introducing 3D models, such as in the user interface. Your passport also carries a cleanup design, and players will add stamps for every request completed within the location you are touring.

In our review of TOEM, we mention that while the first game is short, TOEM 2 feels even shorter. Locations feel smaller, and there’s one less location to visit. With the visual adjustments and new functions, it makes sense to release it as a brand-new game, but it feels like enough content to make it a full sequel.

Final Shot

TOEM 2 is a cozy and creative adventure that captures plenty of charm and fun, with new features making exploration more enjoyable. However, its journey ends before it gets too far.

A PlayStation 5 code was provided by the publisher for this review. TOEM 2 launches on September 29, 2026 for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC. Fans can visit the game’s official website for more information.