Photography in gaming is regularly seen as just an additional feature, rarely the prime focus. Game studio Something We Made changed that with Toem in 2021 and is evolving it further in its sequel, Toem 2. Soon, we’ll be able to rejoin our young sheep friend, whom we helped capture a rare picture of, Toem. As it’s been five years since our last relaxing adventure, our little friend has grown, and so have their photography adventures.
For the preview, we got to explore a snapshot of the game’s first area. Similar to its predecessor, we get to explore wonderful 3D environments full of 2D-like characters, drawings, and creatures to photograph. But everything pops much more, now that the game has gone fully 3D and much more personal, with the focus more on the character rather than the area you’re exploring. Yet the evolution of gameplay is immediately apparent. Every area has far more detail, the photogenic creatures are much better hidden, and the puzzles and mechanics are interestingly more complex.
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For instance, there are some jumping elements that open up a whole world of possibilities for exploration and challenges in Toem 2. Additionally, the camera serves additional purposes beyond taking photos. The first-person perspective is a way to use the abilities gained on this new journey, such as using a wrench to manipulate gears or pipes.
Toem 2 encourages players to take their time.
Yet the fun is still there in the game’s chill vibes. Filling out the journal, discovering everything photographable, and completing tasks was a delight, even for the thirty minutes available in the preview. Some of the available tasks are surprising, given the game’s unassuming, simple nature and controls.
The tasks that stood out the most immediately were of two different forms. One was like a recurring quest throughout the first area, helping a plumber fix piping issues plaguing the sleepy town. As you progress, the pipe puzzles get increasingly more complex in trying to find the right path for water to flow. If there is a similar task in each area, one that evolves how you interact with the world, then that will be quite the welcome change. One that adds a nice throughline in between just exploring and helping everyone around you.
The other was about delivering coffee to someone who desperately needs a cup of joe. It combines two newer mechanics, jumping and climbing, to accomplish this task. Most importantly, it’s about taking your time. Any shortcuts will lead to you spilling the cup and climbing back up to the secret spot the barista has claimed as their own.
The sequel from Something We Made is just as much of a delight as its predecessor.
Similarly, every task and request in the Toem 2 preview is more about completing it and being thoughtful in its execution. This all hints at a much bigger focus on being an influence on those around you, causing gradual change as you progress and get your stamps in your journal.
Toem 2 is as much as, if not more, of a delight than the first game. Its switch to fully 3D environments while keeping its 2D-like look makes for even more wonderful areas to explore.
The games’ chill vibes will be as welcoming as ever, after the stress of 2026 is already adding up. Something We Made has made something grand again, and they have made me excited to be a chill photographer once again.
Toem 2 is available in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
