OVERALL IMPRESSION (Reviewed on PC):
Toem is a cozy and relaxing photography (hidden object puzzle) game by Swedish indie game studio, Something We Made. The entire experience is about taking photos as you explore different cities. It’s not focused on being technical with a camera, but rather allowing the player freedom of creative expression and enjoying the feeling of being a tourist while you explore new settings. The black and white animated aesthetic makes it stand out and establishes its own unique identity. Mission challenges range from fairly easy and straightforward to ones that will require you to be more thorough and clever. Altogether it’s a relaxing journey that focuses on being in the moment and noticing what’s in your immediate environment.
GAMEPLAY:
The base game play revolves around completing different challenges in each city by taking photos (finding items/objects) and in the process solving puzzles. Each city is unique with a quirky array of characters. Most challenges are fairly simple and straight forward while others may stump you for a while until you ‘see’ a solution. It’s helpful that to progress to the next city you don’t need to 100% complete all the available challenges. Once you’ve completed a certain amount you can progress. Meaning for those that just want to experience snippets of the game they can do so while also leaving room for those that do really enjoy a specific city the opportunity to explore further.
The camera is very simple to operate. This game isn’t about being technical with a camera, but instead being creative. There are a range of filters and frames that you can apply to your photos. Every shot is saved in an album with the ability to add quotes. You’ll unlock additional features as your progress, such as getting a tripod that allows you to take selfies or setup photos that may not be possible without it. Moreover, the magic of the game is getting lost in exploring and just taking random photos. I found myself taking more photos than expected and taking photos just because I wanted to and not just for completing an objective. It’s relaxing and a nice way to just enjoy an evening of gaming that is distinctly different than most other experiences.
STORY:
The narrative follows a young photographer on their journey to experience the phenomenon called Toem. The story is fairly simple as the main focus is on the gameplay, exploration and taking photos. You’ll get snippets of various NPCs lives as you encounter them through your playthrough. Overall, the story and setting doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s quirky, funny and strange and this all adds to its charm.
ART DESIGN:
The art design is eye catching and adds to the experience. It feels like being in a children’s storybook. The visual design significantly contributes to the experience with a classic and memorable black and white aesthetic. There’s also a lot of care and attention to detail in each environment. It’s a crucial aspect of this type of game where finding and noticing objects is part of the core experience. What first appears simple and elegant contains much more depth once you get the chance to explore each space.
CHALLENGES:
Similar to many games in this genre, for some challenges you may get stuck. It’s not inherently a flaw, but just the nature of solving puzzles. I really enjoy the fact that there isn’t too much explanation or hand holding. Instead you’re free to explore, experiment and take photos. This free form exploration can in turn lead to completely missing an objective. However, like many of these types of games, stepping away and revisiting the game in another session is usually enough to give you a fresh perspective and figure out what you need to do. As mentioned, it’s not too frustrating as you aren’t forced to complete every single puzzle in order to progress.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
This is a unique experience in an imaginative and unique world that focuses on taking photos and just having fun exploring. If you’re looking for a simple experience and enjoy puzzles and taking pictures, this is a title you may want check out.
GAME DETAILS
PLATFORMS: PC, Consoles
RELEASE: 2021
DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER: Something We Made
GENRE/TAGS: Puzzle, Hidden Object, Cozy, Photography
TARGET AUDIENCE: Gamers that enjoy a simple cozy adventure
IMAGE CREDITS: We Made Something
THANKS:
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