TOEM 2 arrives as the sequel to the 2021 indie title TOEM, continuing its quiet, photography-driven adventure on Nintendo hardware.
Developed by Something We Made, the game is available on Nintendo Switch and has a version reviewed here for Nintendo Switch 2.
TOEM 2 keeps the original’s signature hand-drawn black-and-white aesthetic and centers gameplay on exploration, character interactions, and a camera that doubles as a tool for solving light puzzles.
Gameplay and structure
In TOEM 2 players assume the role of a nameless, deliberately gender-neutral protagonist on the day of the Whirlhill Festival.
The festival’s centerpiece is the Whirling Birch, which will shed its last leaf and bloom into Toem—an event framed as a beautiful sight worth photographing.
The game’s structure is chapter-like: players travel between locations toward the Whirlhill Festival, earn stamps by completing simple photographic puzzles and requests, and unlock bus tickets to progress.
Rewriting reviewer observations into journalistic language: the review emphasizes that TOEM 2 demonstrates a design philosophy where a game does not need to be dozens of hours long or rely on combat to be meaningful.
Instead, it delivers a compact, creative, and relaxing experience that is intentionally short—approximately five to six hours according to the review—while remaining engaging.
Camera mechanics, quests and collectibles
TOEM 2’s camera is the core mechanic.
Players can open, zoom, rotate, and fire the shutter to capture requested items, save or discard photos, and replace existing images.
The title includes roughly 60 main quests and room to store up to 256 photos.
The game also features 68 animals to find and a progress counter that tracks completion.
Each area unlocks new camera-based abilities—such as functioning as a hammer, screwdriver, or scissors—that tie into localized puzzles and character-driven story beats.
Presentation and polish
The game’s hand-drawn monochrome visuals and soundtrack receive particular praise in the review, with collectible cassette tapes allowing players to switch music.
Minor technical hiccups were reported—one documented glitch caused a restart but autosave preserved progress—and the reviewer suggested a map enhancement to better mark quest participants.
These are presented as small issues in an otherwise polished experience.
Conclusion
TOEM 2 offers a focused, affectionate follow-up to TOEM that leans into charm, simple puzzles, and the joy of photography.
The review gives the Nintendo Switch 2 version an 8.5 out of 10, noting that while the experience is short, its creativity, character interactions, and audiovisual presentation make it a memorable indie release available on Nintendo eShop for both Switch and Switch 2.
Developed by Something We Made, the game is available on Nintendo Switch and has a version reviewed here for Nintendo Switch 2.
TOEM 2 keeps the original’s signature hand-drawn black-and-white aesthetic and centers gameplay on exploration, character interactions, and a camera that doubles as a tool for solving light puzzles.
Gameplay and structure
In TOEM 2 players assume the role of a nameless, deliberately gender-neutral protagonist on the day of the Whirlhill Festival.
The festival’s centerpiece is the Whirling Birch, which will shed its last leaf and bloom into Toem—an event framed as a beautiful sight worth photographing.
The game’s structure is chapter-like: players travel between locations toward the Whirlhill Festival, earn stamps by completing simple photographic puzzles and requests, and unlock bus tickets to progress.
Rewriting reviewer observations into journalistic language: the review emphasizes that TOEM 2 demonstrates a design philosophy where a game does not need to be dozens of hours long or rely on combat to be meaningful.
Instead, it delivers a compact, creative, and relaxing experience that is intentionally short—approximately five to six hours according to the review—while remaining engaging.
Camera mechanics, quests and collectibles
TOEM 2’s camera is the core mechanic.
Players can open, zoom, rotate, and fire the shutter to capture requested items, save or discard photos, and replace existing images.
The title includes roughly 60 main quests and room to store up to 256 photos.
The game also features 68 animals to find and a progress counter that tracks completion.
Each area unlocks new camera-based abilities—such as functioning as a hammer, screwdriver, or scissors—that tie into localized puzzles and character-driven story beats.
Presentation and polish
The game’s hand-drawn monochrome visuals and soundtrack receive particular praise in the review, with collectible cassette tapes allowing players to switch music.
Minor technical hiccups were reported—one documented glitch caused a restart but autosave preserved progress—and the reviewer suggested a map enhancement to better mark quest participants.
These are presented as small issues in an otherwise polished experience.
Conclusion
TOEM 2 offers a focused, affectionate follow-up to TOEM that leans into charm, simple puzzles, and the joy of photography.
The review gives the Nintendo Switch 2 version an 8.5 out of 10, noting that while the experience is short, its creativity, character interactions, and audiovisual presentation make it a memorable indie release available on Nintendo eShop for both Switch and Switch 2.
