TOEM 2 Review (PC)

TOEM 2 takes its oh-so-cozy mug-and-blanket world to a whole different level with a small hint of charcoal, a host of subtle but memorable personalities, and an enthusiastic protagonist who, like any good catharsis-seeking photographer, bathes in the simple pleasures of a natural environment of wonder and intrigue.

Like the original, TOEM 2 dials it back to the basics, with a meticulously crafted web of dioramas, a helping of eccentric characters, a camera, a book of stamps, and an array of light but truly satisfying platforming-puzzle pieces. Frankly, it doesn’t need to bring more than that to the table, either. True to the spirit of its predecessor, it strives to create a perfectly balanced, well-orchestrated experience that, while still light and lacking in depth, has a natural ability to make you smile. And that’s essentially all that TOEM is: a smile in a mug—a guilty pleasure that you just can’t help but love.

In a similar fashion as its predecessor, TOEM 2 invites you to enter a black-and-white world where critters roam, characters meander, and chemistry flourishes in the natural ambiance of an idyllic diorama. Suited and booted with a camera, you take to the reins of a faithful protagonist who has a simple objective: to branch out and to explore the world, and to capture precious events from behind the lens. These events, which are commonly referred to as TOEMs, offer you the chance to solve light puzzles, meet awfully jolly critters, and complete quests for your compendium. Sure enough, you have a whole bunch of stamps to add to your journal, a handful of climbing challenges to take on, and a tapestry of characters who have their own unique stories and “quests” for you to explore.

TOEM 2 is designed to feel light, accommodating, and comfortable. Regardless of whether or not you played through the first chapter in the flourishing saga, the sequel makes it so that you have a firm understanding of the story, the world, and the purpose of your quest. And, to tell you the truth, it is an easy game to waltz into and play with no prior experience, as it is mostly comprised of lighthearted interactions, photography mini-games, and basic platforming segments. You can jump, climb, and, above all, use your camera to solve puzzles and document your journey with a few extra stamps and milestones. It’s all effortlessly adorable, but that’s sort of the point.

While TOEM 2 is significantly shorter than the first in the series, it does add some interesting quality-of-life elements to the formula. In addition to its newfound platforming segments, it also bolts on some new tools and move sets for you to fool around with, too. With a world that stands out as more three-dimensional than the original, the sequel happily adds a second layer to its pre-existing canvas, with more climbable areas, more scalable environments, and a broader sense of  detail that serves only to enhance the tiniest bits and pieces. And, sure enough, it all comes neatly wrapped, too, with some beautiful artwork, eccentric characters, and punchy dialogue that hits all of the right notes.

As I said, TOEM 2 is a rather short game. Unlike the previous chapter in the two-piece series—a journey that takes anywhere from six to eight hours to beat in its entirety—the sequel opts for a quicker route to the finish line with a disappointingly short three-hour story. And that’s a shame, as it clearly has the tools, the setting, and the ability to cover more ground and indulge in a greater spectrum of ideas. Evidently, it has the framework, the heart, and the natural power to span a longer campaign, but unfortunately it ties a ribbon on the compendium a little too early.

Short campaign aside, TOEM 2 is still an absolute delight to breeze through. With thanks to its intuitive UI, simple-to-learn controls and a charming world design, it’s an easy game to fall backwards into and enjoy for a few hours. It’s also a game that doesn’t require a lot of effort to complete, too. Like before, you can more or less mop up all of the achievements, shake hands with all of the characters, and bulk out your compendium in a single sitting. Again, it could be a lot longer, but for what it does bring to the table, it excels in more ways than one.

Regardless of whether or not you’re familiar with the TOEM series, there’s a good launchpad here that will easily slip you into the habit of chronicling critters and fleshing out compendiums. Given that it is, first and foremost, a beginner-friendly experience that opts for the quieter route than something that’s more challenging, it doesn’t take long to lean into the role and to start punching holes in the objectives. In other words, it’s an excellent game to introduce to younger players. It’s light, non-intrusive, and simple enough to learn on the fly.

All in all TOEM 2 feels like a no brainer of a game. If it’s a short, peaceful, and genuinely enjoyable journey that tickles your fancy, then you should definitely take a moment to experience it. Don’t let the absence of color fool you; TOEM 2 is just as joyful and charming as any other wholesome puzzler on the market. It’s just a crying shame that it doesn’t stick around long enough to spread its wings and flaunt its full potential as a sequel. But other than that, TOEM 2 is a beautiful addition to the cozy sphere that deserves the credit.

Verdict

TOEM 2 is just as delightful as the original chapter in Something We Made’s, if not more. While sadly a lot shorter in length, it does make up for its absence of longevity with some charming new features that, in the spirit of an oh-so-wholesome adventure, are a real joy to unpack and explore. With some fresh ideas, new characters, as well as some light platforming-puzzle segments to keep your spirits up and your finger on the shutter, TOEM 2 delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience that will naturally make you smile from ear to ear. That in itself is a treat that only a small handful of shutterbugs can incubate.