Toem 2 on PS5 review: adds jumping and new tools

Toem 2, the sequel to the 2021 black-and-white photography game, continues the camera-based puzzle loop on PlayStation 5. A review describes the sequel as highly iterative and gives it an 8 out of 10.

Players use a camera to complete requests from town residents and to photograph animals in a hand-drawn monochrome world. The camera shifts the view between an isometric perspective and a first-person view when the player looks through the lens, and many puzzles depend on composing specific shots.

New mobility and item mechanics are added in the sequel. Jumping introduces platforming elements. Companions encountered in each location provide unique abilities, such as using a hammer or a screwdriver, which allow players to interact with the environment and solve tasks.

The review reports the game’s runtime is roughly four hours, framing the experience as short and focused rather than a lengthy campaign. Tasks arrive as requests from residents and are resolved by composing photographs or by using items gained through interactions.

The review highlights level and character design, citing an early fantasy-themed area populated by knights and a dungeon. It notes that repeatedly helping some characters creates recurring relationships and that the game’s writing is sharper than before.

The review’s primary criticism is the sequel’s similarity to the original and a narrative payoff that resembles the first game’s ending. The review states that puzzles remain enjoyable and that the added mobility expands exploration.