TOEM: A Photo Adventure

Toem may be short clocking in at around three hours but those hours are absolutely delightful. Each area feels distinct and offers its own charm, giving players a fresh experience every time they hop on the bus. There’s a surprising amount to photograph, and before long, I found myself instinctively snapping shots of objects and moments that turned out to be tied to quests, even when I wasn’t sure. For the most part, Toem makes it clear when you should interact or take photos, keeping the flow of exploration smooth and satisfying. The biggest drawback, though, is its brief runtime. I was honestly surprised when the credits rolled so soon I would’ve loved one or two more regions to explore, especially since wandering around taking pictures and meeting quirky characters never stopped being fun. There are a few small design quirks, like the limited quest log space and how it’s tied to the bus pass, but nothing that seriously hurts the experience. The monochrome art style is a huge standout it’s rare to see it done this well, and it gives the game a cozy, storybook like atmosphere. The soundtrack complements each area beautifully, and the ability to choose your own tunes adds a nice personal touch. If you’re unsure because of the price to playtime ratio, I’d suggest waiting for a sale. Otherwise, Toem is a short but heartwarming adventure that’s well worth taking and one I’d gladly revisit again.

a cozy christmas pick up you must have!
TOEM honestly captured my 7 hours of attention to 100% my game of the year journal (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

A Love Letter to Photography
Rating: 10/10
As a professional photographer, it is rare to find a game that doesn't just feature a "photo mode" but is built entirely around the soul of photography. TOEM is that rare achievement, a 10/10 experience that understands the joy of looking at the world through a viewfinder.
The choice of high-contrast, hand-drawn black and white graphics is a stroke of genius. Without the distraction of color, the game forces you to focus on what matters most in photography: composition, lighting, and subjects. Every frame of TOEM feels curated, inviting you to find the beauty in the silhouettes of trees, the texture of the sea, and the quirky expressions of its inhabitants.
The puzzles in TOEM are far more than go here, click this. They require a photographer's eye. Whether you are hunting for a specific perspective to reveal a hidden object or waiting for a decisive moment to capture a bird in flight, the game rewards patience and observation. It feels rewarding because it mimics the real-life thrill of getting the shot after scouting a location.
The lo-fi, chill-hop-inspired soundtrack collection is the perfect companion for a cross-country photography trip. It creates a relaxing, low-pressure environment where you can truly get lost in the act of creation. From the bustling city streets to the quiet, snowy peaks, the audio-visual synergy is flawless.
Time?
HLTB says it's 6 hrs average to 100%, but I took 11.5 hrs, and boy, it was so worth it. If you don't want to 100%, then it should be around 4 hours. There are missable achievements in every location, and you can get them with a guide when you feel stuck. The new expansion is great as well, only it's a little confusing in terms of map design.
Final Verdict
As a pro photographer, I can say TOEM captures the essence of our craft better than any other medium. A cozy, monochrome masterpiece that replaces stress with a camera and a catchy beat. Pure perfection.
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Once you beat this game, you'll speak of it as some kind of former wife whom you loved with your soul but died spontaneously or something like that (im crushed in the best way possible)

Very charming game that can be loved by players of any age and type. For those who do not take a moment to look at media in monochrome colors, I hope they would pick up this one too because art can be beautiful in grayscale.

- Search-and-find gameplay
- Searching complexity reminded me a lighter version of Tunic's second half of the game
- Plot is very down-to-earth. A protagonist goes out and takes photos. That's mainly it, but the simplicity gives the game experience time for the player to take their time to explore and enjoy photography
- Loved the camera features such as zoom and the filtering styles
- Comedy was in my alley, light and refreshing
- Great game for young children to play too, as long as they have reading comprehension
- Detailed animation: favorites were the weather conditions and the water/snowflakes landing on the lenses, the street crossing scene, and the subtle hints to find the requested photo
- Includes post-game content
- Didn't observe motion sickness

There was only one instance, when I wanted to screen-record, and my Steam Deck went kaputt and the screen went black, but the mousepad was returning a haptic response. Once I force restarted the game and hesitantly screen-recorded a different scene, it worked. I didn't record as often however. (the scene that crashed my Steam Deck was the one where the ghost was playing a shuffle cup and guessing game)

I only played the main storyline, but at 90% completion, I was pretty content -- and impressed that I reached that high, I usually don't aim for 100%.

TOEM tells the story of a small, sheep-like creature who dreams of experiencing the “TOEM” (comparable to the Aurora Borealis) once, and sets off on a long journey to make that little dream come true.
It's a short cozy game set in a monochrome 2.5D world where you use a camera to capture everything interesting you find along the way. You'll meet a lot of quirky characters who send you on small quests through five different locations. The story is told with a lot of love, the world is rich in detail and also hides many little secrets, while the OST creates a relaxing background atmosphere.
Including the free DLC, it took me about 10 hours to complete 100%, but I really took my time and simply, just enjoyed the atmosphere.
Overall, TOEM is a handsome combination of adventure-, cozy-, hidden object- and puzzle game that is definitely worth the price of 20€.

In the middle of 2025, I had a quarter life crisis. I took a backpack, phone and a notebook and left my country. I took photos printed them and collected them in that notebook. Wrote stories I lived, people I have met, conversations we had, histories I learned. It was one of my life defining journeys. The journey in this game feels uncannily same.