"A True Feel-Good Game" – top-rated indie game for less than $4 in Steam sale
TOEM: A Photo Adventure is a calm, hand-drawn exploration game from Swedish developer Something We Made, released in 2021. The focus is on the eponymous yet fictional phenomenon TOEM – a mystical natural event that few have ever witnessed firsthand. What TOEM actually is remains unclear at first, with characters in the game describing it as a spiritual moment or a rare natural marvel, only revealed at the end of a long journey. Players step into the shoes of a young traveler who, camera in hand, sets off to uncover the truth behind this elusive wonder.
Instead of vibrant colors, TOEM embraces a minimalist black-and-white aesthetic that feels like it’s been lifted straight from a sketchbook. At the heart of the gameplay is an analog camera, used to solve puzzles, uncover hidden objects and lend a hand to the quirky characters you meet along the way. Each completed task earns you a stamp in a small booklet and collecting enough of them lets you travel to new regions. There’s no rush in TOEM – no timers or high-stakes challenges. It’s all about slow-paced exploration, observation and the joy of photography. Soft ambient sounds add to the relaxing atmosphere, making this the perfect game to unwind with or enjoy as a cozy little adventure in between.
Reviews: Relaxed and atmospheric, but not particularly demanding
The editors at the German magazine GamePro took a closer look at TOEM and praised it for its heartwarming charm and thoughtfully crafted world. While the black-and-white visuals may be simple, they’re also stylish and packed with quirky, amusing details. According to the review, the photography-based gameplay feels surprisingly open-ended, encouraging players to explore each area and collect stamps along the way.
On the downside, GamePro pointed out TOEM's low difficulty level and short playtime. The puzzles rarely posed a real challenge and were generally considered too easy. The game can be completed in just 3 to 5 hours and lacks significant replay value. Still, these aspects don’t seem to detract much from the overall experience. The feedback on Steam is Overwhelmingly Positive
, with 99% of over 6,000 user reviews giving it a thumbs-up. While the ratings on Metacritic are a bit more reserved, TOEM still holds a solid Metascore of 79 and a User Score of 7.9.
80% discount on Steam
TOEM usually sells for around $20 on Steam, but right now you can grab it for just $4 thanks to an 80% discount. The deal runs until April 17. According to SteamDB, this matches the lowest price the game has ever had. That said, TOEM often sees similar discounts – it was last on offer during the Spring Sale in early March. So if you’d prefer to hold off, there’s a good chance it’ll be discounted again soon.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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