The PS Plus Essentials tier, an entry-level subscription for Sony’s PS Plus service, has been hit-and-miss. Some months have been significantly better than others in terms of quality, and on paper it doesn’t seem like thePlayStation Pluslineup for September is particularly strong withNeed For Speed Heat,Granblue Fantasy: Versus, andTOEM.Need for Speedis a franchise past its prime in the eyes of many, and the other two titles are not commonly known. However, quality indie games have a habit of flying under the radar, andTOEMfalls into this category.
Developed and published by Swedish indie studio Something We Made,TOEMis a simple and stylish gamethat received strong reviews when it was released last year. It tells the story of a cute, inquisitive protagonist who is looking to climb a mountain to witness the mysterious phenomenon of TOEM. To do so, he must travel through various zones, taking photos and collecting stamps until he makes his way to the summit.TOEMis a unique experience that provides a brief respite from the world of action-packed, adrenaline-fueled video games that people are often accustomed to.
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TOEM Is a Refreshing Change of Pace
Games likemodernAssassin’s Creedtitlesare often excessively long and can feel bloated, so seeing a game like this through to its conclusion is a huge commitment of time and effort.TOEMis at the other end of the spectrum, as it can be finished in one sitting. There’s something refreshing and rewarding about this skew that really adds toTOEM’s charm.
Photography is the core element at play, with users primarily asked to take a range of different photos. While this is not a new concept, as there are plenty of otherphotography-based video games such asPokemon Snap, the simple black-and-white pop-up book visuals are unique, and full of little details to spot. Gamers are given tasks to accomplish in each zone, from photographing certain things to simple fetch quests, that will help them progress. While the game unfolds in third-person, switching to the camera mode moves to first-person. Nothing is complicated, as even taking photos is a remarkably simple mechanic.
TOEM’s NPCs are charming and lively, and they all have something interesting to say. The game never asks players to speed up, everything can be done at a relaxing pace, free from the heart-in-mouth moments associated withaction-heavy video games likeUncharted. This works in harmony with the game’s soundtrack, which is beautifully tranquil throughout.
Not every game needs to be aDark Souls-style test of skill or a high-octane bullet hell title likeDoom. This is somethingTOEMis all too aware of, and it offers the player a more therapeutic alternative. While it certainly won’t be for everyone, developer Something We Made has crafted a rich, detailed world full of fun characters and quests. For what is essentially a black-and-white pop-up book, that is quite a feat, and PlayStation users shouldn’t pass up the chance to check it out while the game is available for free on the PS Plus Essentials tier.
TOEMis available now for PC, PS5, and Switch.
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