Summary
- TOEM 2 launches on September 29, 2026.
- The camera is used for photography, puzzles, secrets, and interaction with the environment.
- New attachments, jumping, and climbing expand the possibilities for exploration.
- Characters encountered by the player can influence the story and its ending.
- The game has been announced for Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
TOEM 2 returns to the series’ black-and-white world, once again placing the camera at the heart of exploration, puzzles, and storytelling.
Swedish independent studio Something We Made is preparing TOEM 2, the sequel to the 2021 photography adventure game, with new camera tools, more ways to interact with the environment, and additional movement abilities. Its release is scheduled for September 29, 2026.
What makes TOEM 2 particularly relevant to photography fans is that taking pictures is not simply a decorative feature. Observation, composition, and the use of the camera are core mechanics for solving puzzles, discovering secrets, and progressing through the game world.
An adventure built around the camera
TOEM 2 retains the series’ distinctive black-and-white aesthetic and follows a young photographer setting out on another relaxing adventure to discover and photograph mysterious phenomena known as TOEMs.
During exploration, the game is mainly presented from a perspective resembling a 2.5D, top-down adventure. When the player raises the camera, however, the view switches to first person, allowing shots to be properly composed. Selfies can even be taken with the help of a small floating tripod.
Photography can change the world
One of the sequel’s most distinctive additions is that the camera can now be used to directly affect objects in the environment.
In one example that has been shown, the player can use the camera to move a cart and help a character put up a sign. Photography therefore becomes more than a way to document the world, turning into a tool for solving problems.
The upgraded camera also gains new attachments that can be used in different ways to overcome challenges across the regions players visit.
Photo albums, quests, and new regions
Progress is once again tied to exploration and observation. Players complete quests, photograph discoveries, and fill their journal with stamps, which act as the key to unlocking subsequent regions. They can also expand a compendium of creatures encountered throughout the world.
Something We Made also stresses that TOEM 2 is designed to be played without time pressure or demanding requirements for full completion. Its philosophy remains focused on relaxed exploration and curiosity.
Greater freedom of movement and choice
The second game takes place a few years after the original story and expands the ways in which the character can move through the world.
For the first time, players can jump and climb around the environment, opening up new viewpoints and additional opportunities for exploration. Along the way, they can also meet characters who may join them and, according to Something We Made, influence both the story and its ending.
The connection to the first TOEM
The original TOEM was released in 2021 and had already established a distinctive identity by combining a hand-drawn black-and-white aesthetic, relaxed exploration, and photography-based puzzles. pttl also covered the game in 2024, when it was made available for free for a limited period through the Epic Games Store.
The first adventure also earned significant recognition, winning the Debut Game award at the 2022 BAFTA Games Awards.
TOEM 2 aims to retain the fundamental philosophy of the original while offering improved visuals and greater gameplay variety. The development team says the goal is for the sequel to remain accessible both to returning players and to newcomers discovering the series for the first time.
Release date and platforms
TOEM 2 is scheduled to launch on September 29, 2026. The date is also confirmed by the game’s official Steam page.
According to the information accompanying the announcement, the game is headed to Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. Its price has not yet been announced.
What we think
The first TOEM succeeded in using photography as a genuine gameplay mechanic rather than merely a theme or visual gimmick. Based on what has been shown so far, TOEM 2 appears to expand precisely that idea, giving the camera more functions and the player greater freedom to explore. If the final implementation retains the simplicity and pacing of the original, the new mechanics could add depth without changing the distinctive character of the series.
Frequently asked questions
When will TOEM 2 be released?
The scheduled release date is September 29, 2026.
Which platforms will TOEM 2 be released on?
TOEM 2 has been announced for Steam, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Do players need to have played the first TOEM?
Something We Made says the sequel has been designed to welcome both returning players and people discovering the series for the first time.
What role does photography play in the game?
The camera is used to take pictures, uncover hidden details, solve puzzles, and interact with objects in the environment, while new attachments expand its capabilities.
Has the price of TOEM 2 been announced?
No. An official price for the game has not yet been announced.
