TOEM 2 review: a cosy photo safari with puzzles that are too easy

TOEM 2 from studio Something We Made has been available since 29 September on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch and Switch 2; save data cannot be transferred between the two Switch versions. As in the first game, you solve almost every task in a black-and-white world with your camera: you photograph residents, animals and places, fulfil requests and collect stamps, outfits and entries for a creature compendium. New features include a flying camera tripod for selfies and bird’s-eye shots.

On OpenCritic the game has a critic average of 82, with 87 per cent of critics recommending it; IGN awards 8 out of 10. Noisy Pixel gives 9 out of 10, praising the larger areas filled with optional tasks, the improved movement including platforming, the sharper 3D visuals in the familiar black-and-white style and the relaxed soundtrack with no time pressure.

PC Gamer is more reserved with 73 out of 100: the sequel is cute and more clearly structured, but its tasks are so simple that little creative thinking is needed – the riddle-like, tricky feel of the original is lost. Noisy Pixel also criticises the low challenge and that new tools such as a hammer and screwdriver are rarely combined into more elaborate puzzles.