When I first saw the announcement for TOEM 2, I was genuinely curious about what it would be. And I don’t just mean plot-wise; I mean what it would be about structurally. The first TOEM was such a neat little experiment in cozy games, combining puzzles and picture-taking for a laid-back but unique experience, that a sequel almost felt superfluous. Would a sequel simply do more of the same, or move on to bigger, more creative ideas?
The answer is kind of in the middle. Toem 2 does exactly what a good sequel should do: use its predecessor as a launching pad for bigger and better things. The experience certainly feels a lot bigger and more creative, but it also feels familiar in a way that’s comforting and cozy. It’s a game that’s bursting with creativity in a bite-sized package that feels like the fully realized version of its predecessor.
“Toem 2 does exactly what a good sequel should do: use its predecessor as a launching pad for bigger and better things.”
Similar to the first game, the story revolves around the player setting off on an adventure to witness a mysterious phenomenon—the transformation of a tree known as the “Withering Birch” wish will bloom into “Toem” once it sheds its last leaf. This takes the player on a journey across multiple towns, helping the locals, making friends, and experiencing other Toems along the way.
While there isn’t a dedicated plot, each little town has its own mini-narrative that centers on helping a potential friend in need. Whether it’s helping a worm clear up troublesome vines that are triggering her allergies, or assisting an aspiring apprentice blacksmith to prove his mettle, each little story adds charm, as well as connective gameplay threads to each area.
Toem 2 maintains its predecessor’s picture-based puzzle-solving gameplay, but expands it in creative ways that are both interesting and functional. The puzzles themselves are never too taxing—players only need to complete 10 to progress, but I was able to clear every challenge on every level in my first playthrough. Even though none of the puzzles left me scratching my head, more than a few left me with a warm smile, followed by “aww, neat!”
“And Toem 2 does a lot more with its visuals this time around in a way that is both simple and complex.”
But the puzzles are bolstered in a large way by Toem 2’s areas themselves, which are smaller but much more densely packed with details—in comparison to the first game’s more wide-open spaces. Every board of every town feels dynamic and bursting with life, be that critters to catalogue, residents to assist, or just moments to capture. And thanks to the game’s slow pace and chill atmosphere, players can really take their time, soaking in the atmosphere and capturing their adventure on film.
And Toem 2 does a lot more with its visuals this time around in a way that is both simple and complex. The first game was incredibly bright, utilizing a lot of white space and lighter grays to create a charming minimalist aesthetic. The sequel, however, does a lot more with darker colours to add greater depth and complexity to the visuals, as they pop out more against lighter backgrounds—and lighter objects stand in stark contrast to their darker counterparts. Not only that, but it looks incredibly crisp on the Switch 2, both on and off the dock.
The audio is equally as charming, with a lot of laid-back tracks that fit each new area while maintaining the wholesome vibe. Not only that, but there’s a lot of dynamism in the audio design—from the way characters make distinctive Banjo-Kazooie babble sounds to the different sounds as players move across various surfaces. The audio really adds to the sense of personality Toem 2 has, and brings it to life in really fun ways.
There really isn’t that much else to say about Toem 2. At its core, it’s a simple, fun, and incredibly charming game that hooks you in but doesn’t overstay its welcome. Despite its relative simplicity, it’s a game that feels like it can be revisited over and over. It’s an excellently crafted, bite-sized adventure that feels perfect for a lazy Sunday or a rainy day indoors.
