FOMOGRAPHY | Xbox Review
I usually enjoy video games that feature photography as their main mechanic. I loved the original Pokemon Snap and the more recent TOEM. When I watched the trailer for Brendan Keesing’s FOMOGRAPHY, it felt like it would scratch that same itch that the previously mentioned games provided. Sadly, this wasn’t a game for me. I think there is absolutely an audience for this title and that most players will vibe with it; it just didn’t gel with me during my roughly nine-and-a-half hours with it.
Say Cheese
FOMOGRAPHY places you in the shoes of an elderly man. He steps through a photograph only to appear in a faceless person’s home with his beloved camera in hand. After a brief introduction, you step out into the bright sunlight and discover you’re in your hometown. At this point, you’re fairly limited with what activities you’re able to do. That is, until you trigger an interaction with a certain individual and complete some tasks he has for you. After completing these, the world opens up to you and the game really kicks off. You’re then free to pursue different activities or advance the story along.
The story is told through sporadic flashbacks, but man, does it pack a punch. It deals with some very heavy topics, and I felt like it was respectfully told. Seeing the puzzle pieces come together with each flashback was extremely rewarding. The narrative is what kept me playing and held my attention. I would recommend checking for trigger warnings if you think you might come across something that could affect you, though.
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
The gameplay of FOMOGRAPHY centers on fulfilling requests from the town’s citizens by using your camera to solve puzzles in the fairly vast, semi-open world. This is where the game lost me. I often found these segments to be either too obtuse or frustrating. I found myself becoming stuck often, banging my head against the metaphorical wall trying to uncover the solution. I yearned for a guide, but eventually figured out each puzzle. It just wasn’t fun for me to eventually land on the answer I had been searching for. I also found the world to be somewhat TOO open for my tastes, and often spent way too long searching for what I needed.
You are rewarded for doing these side quests, though. Most are optional, but they all yield accessories, filters, themes, and facial expressions for selfies (yes, you read that correctly). This was another driving force to keep me going forward. It was a treat to change up my photos with different options and to make them as creative as I wanted. It didn’t alleviate my frustrations, but it was a nice incentive.
Shutterbug
The graphics of FOMOGRAPHY are simple yet cartoony. Your mileage will vary with the visuals, but I found them charming. The music and sound effects are of the same variety. The score is calm and often fades into the background, while the sound is suitably appropriate. The barking of a dog, the sound of a stuntman falling, and the rushing of water all were slightly exaggerated, but they fit with the overall atmosphere.
The Final Shot
FOMOGRAPHY is a photography game that I think a certain audience will adore. It’s open, full of tasks to complete, and can be calming. Even though it didn’t wow me with its puzzles and I found myself becoming frustrated and stuck often, this probably won’t be an issue for most players. I just think this wasn’t the game for me. I didn’t encounter any bugs or issues, and the story is a major reason to play this title. Just make sure to check trigger warnings if you think there’s the possibility of it affecting you.
To hear me talk more about FOMOGRAPHY, be sure to listen to the June 18, 2025 episode of The Gaming Outsider Podcast around the 1:06:13 time stamp.
This review is based on an Xbox Series X/S copy of FOMOGRAPHY provided by DANGEN Entertainment for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam.
FOMOGRAPHY
$19.99
Pros
- Plenty of Tasks
- Strong, Hard-Hitting Story
- Rewards to Keep You Motivated
Cons
- Puzzles Are Frustrating
- Somewhat Too Open
- Possibly Triggering for Some
