TOEM Reviews
I happily cuddled myself up for an afternoon to playthrough TOEM, and it cuddled me back. I’d suggest the same plans to anyone wanting a lo-fi and relaxing photography adventure that’ll make you feel good.
TOEM: A Photo Adventure is an entertaining and fun indie game with neat camera-based mechanics and quirky characters. Dozens of photos will be taken throughout the journey, but by the end, it still feels too early to put the camera away. Still, no matter how short the experience, your album of good memories awaits.
With its entertaining puzzles and wonderful soundtrack, TOEM is a super charming, short game that provides a relaxed yet still impactful experience.
I love this game. I love TOEM so much. It’s sweet, adorable, funny and full of fun and interesting NPCs to meet and take photos of. The world may be in black and white, but it’s lovingly detailed and wonderfully rendered. The music is wonderful and there are a lot of thoughtful details to make players love it even more. Two thumbs up for TOEM!
Toem is an enjoyable and charming game where you get to look at a beautifully hand-drawn world through multiple perspectives. There’s the right amount of challenge offered to keep players engaged in a chill experience that also tests their knack for capturing that perfect shot. This is a game to relax with, where the destination is as picture-perfect as the journey.
Photography games are undergoing something of a renaissance. Pokemon Snap is back with a new entry. A Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water remaster is on the way. We also have indies like Beasts of Maravilla Island and Umurangi Generation offering indie takes on the concept. Now we have Toem from Something We Made, a similar sort of game with Scandinavian roots and influences that brings yet another charming, cozy, and creative experience to the Switch.
TOEM uses photography to create a smooth and captivating adventure. It's quite pleasant to explore small monochromatic scenarios taking pictures and helping peculiar characters, in tasks that combine observation and puzzles. Besides that, the peaceful and good-humored atmosphere invites us to relax and enjoy the beautiful views and unusual situations. Free progression allows us to advance at our pace, but some tasks get in the way a little because they are too vague. In the end, TOEM is a short and charming journey worth experiencing.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
TOEM is a one of a kind experience that manages to be a great adventure without forcing you to do things according to a specific timeline or a scoring system, you are on journey and your only companion is a camera which, unexpectedly, is a great tool for helping other people and having a nice time exploring the world.
Review in Persian | Read full review
TOEM is satisfying and engaging, packed with charm, wit, and goofiness. While it's a short experience, TOEM will stay with you even after you've stopped playing it, and that right there is a rare thing these days.
TOEM is a very fun photographic adventure that stands out for its unique approach. I would have to go as far back as Flight Simulator to find an experience as peaceful and relaxing as this. Plus, with its charming entirely hand-drawn look, it should definitely land on your console.
Review in French | Read full review
Overall, I would recommend Toem for those who are looking for a game that will give them the time to relax. Toem has captured my interest and I hope that anyone who plays it will get captured too.
Even though it’s devoid of color, TOEM’s personality is clear for all to see. It's wonderful and even though the indie field is extremely competitive this year, I would easily rank it among the very best I’ve played. It’s smart, refreshing, and is so much fun to play. Please play TOEM!
I had a hard time putting TOEM down, its calming, cheerful nature feeling way too cozy to quit. Its photography-based puzzle gameplay will charm just about anyone that feels drawn to the title, so if you have even a remote interest in TOEM, it’s absolutely a safe bet. If you want 4 – 6 hours of wholesome fun that will leave you craving for more, take a little hike with TOEM.
Regardless, TOEM is a delightfully cute adventure and it’s a great way to spend a few hours getting lost in an idealized, zero risk adventure. It’s a perfect palette cleanser between games or at the end of a session of otherwise more action packed titles, or just a great way to chill out for an hour or two. I’d wager it also makes a great introduction to gaming for younger kids, and has the makings of something families can enjoy together, which definitely earns bonus points if you’ve got kids, family members, or partners who like to help find things or solve puzzles without being the one in control. Don’t let the simplicity of TOEM fool you, though; it’s a rich and entertaining experience that’s worth dipping into.
Toem is a game brought to us by Swedish Developer, Something We Made. This elegant little game has stolen the hearts of writers here at Rapid Reviews and I have plenty of positives to spill.
I don’t know whether it was triggered by a pandemic that had everyone stuck in their houses and wishing for a chance to appreciate the world around us but this year has produced a string of pretty amazing exploratory adventures, with TOEM being the latest to join the club...
Although limited to a fault, TOEM's fusion of earnest charm and breezy adventuring nevertheless makes for a photo-positive experience.
Still, in some cases I'd argue that the journey is the destination. When it comes to TOEM the journey can be a little tedious and sometimes even a bit repetitive. But if you're looking for a slow paced game to relax over a weekend there's still a lot of charm and enjoyment to be found here.
It may be short, but TOEM delivers heart by the truckload. This gorgeous hand-drawn adventure will have you fully invested in its quaint little world, taking photos of everything you see – whether it’s for a mission or just for the sheer joy of it. It’s the sort of game that makes the world seem like a better place – even if only for a few hours.