TOEM 2 Review Summary

Cozy, relaxing photography adventure with impressive visual upgrades and an excellent sequel, though it's shorter, pricier, and has a weaker story than the original.

Cozy relaxing experience: The game delivers a consistently cozy, calm, and heartwarming atmosphere that players find deeply relaxing. Many describe it as a peaceful and soothing adventure.

Excellent sequel to original: Reviewers widely consider this a brilliant follow-up that improves upon the first game while retaining its core charm. Many call it a perfect or ideal sequel.

Impressive visual upgrades: Graphics have seen a significant leap, with a more 3D and realistic look while preserving the original art style. The visual direction is frequently praised as beautiful and a highlight.

Creative quests and puzzles: Missions and puzzles are cleverly designed, often requiring out-of-the-box thinking without becoming frustrating. The variety and creativity keep the experience engaging.

Lovable characters and humor: Characters are friendly and charming, and the game is filled with good humor and funny situations. The protagonist's growth and the return of familiar characters are highlights.

Shorter than the first game: Many players report that the game is noticeably shorter than the previous entry, often finishing in 5-6 hours. This is a widespread complaint across multiple clusters.

Too expensive for content: Players feel the game is not worth the $10 price tag due to its short length and lack of content. The bundle price is also considered high.

Weak story compared to original: The story is weaker than the first generation, with low presence and a relaxed ending. The thematic message feels forcefully elevated without clear explanation.

Feels like an update: The game seems like an updated version of the first game rather than a new experience, with novelties that do not radically change the formula and falls flat in impact.

Missing features from first game: Several features from the first game are absent, such as shining photos, camera mechanics, cosmic cubes, and shiny character portraits. These omissions reduce the overall experience.

New mechanics and tools: The game introduces new mechanics and interactive tools built within the camera. Players gain new abilities and have access to jumping and climbing.

Cozy photography adventure: The game is a cozy, lighthearted adventure centered around photography and exploration. Players travel through charming environments taking pictures to help others.

Quest structure and variety: The game features a quest structure of three small quests and one big quest per location. Quest types include clearing thickets, hammering nails, repairing pipelines, and creative problem-solving.

Platforming and climbing challenges: The game includes platforming, climbing challenges, and parkour movement. These elements add agility and verticality to exploration.

Sequel expands on Toem: It is the sequel to Toem, expanding on the original's core mechanics with new features and improvements. The game retains what worked while adding fresh elements.

Game Crashes Frequently: Players report that the game crashes, disrupting gameplay and causing frustration. This issue can lead to loss of progress and an unstable experience.

Runs on Any Platform: The game is compatible with any PC or console, making it accessible to a wide audience. This broad availability ensures that most players can enjoy the game regardless of their hardware.

Recommend to everyone: A common sentiment is that the game is highly recommended for all players, regardless of their usual genre preferences. It is described as a must-play.

Play the first game first: Many reviewers strongly suggest playing the original TOEM before this sequel, as it enhances the experience. It is not strictly necessary to understand the story, but it makes a difference.

Wait for a discount: Several reviewers recommend waiting for a sale due to the game's short length and price. They suggest buying at a discounted price or waiting for updates.

Enjoyed by fans of original: Reviewers note that those who loved the first TOEM game will likely love this sequel as well. It is particularly recommended for returning players.

Great for casual players: The game is well-suited for casual players and those who enjoy light, creative experiences. It values curiosity over challenge and is perfect for relaxed play.

Game completion: 5.0h.

Story completion: 5.0h.

Long-Time TOEM Series Veteran: Plays at launch, compares the sequel directly to the first game, and often pursues completionist goals. Motivation: To continue a beloved series after a long wait and see how the sequel builds on the original. Stance: buy.

Genre-Agnostic Cozy Advocate: Recommends playing the original first, then the sequel, and evaluates the game as an easy entry point for newcomers. Motivation: To share a broadly appealing, accessible game with players regardless of their usual genre preferences. Stance: buy.

Cautious Discount-Waiting Newcomer: Waits for sales or patches before buying, and compares value against the discounted original. Motivation: To try the acclaimed series at lower cost and with fewer technical frustrations. Stance: sale.

Sequel to TOEM: The game is a direct sequel to TOEM, continuing the story five years after the first title. It is developed by Something We Made and is the second entry in the series.

Similar to original, fewer maps: The sequel is seen as an updated version of the first game with small differences, but it has fewer maps (3 vs 4). Some also feel it adds more maps compared to TOEM 1, indicating mixed perceptions.

Excellent visuals and translation: Multiple reviewers praise the improved visuals compared to the first game and note that the translation quality is excellent. The graphics are highlighted as a strong point.

Short completion times reported: Reviewers report various short completion times: the tutorial and first area take just over an hour, about 44% is completed in under 2 hours, and full completion takes around 4 hours or 3.6 hours for all achievements.

Demo available before release: A demo was available before the full release, allowing players to try the game early. This was appreciated by some reviewers.