A Lens into Memory and Identity
The phrase ‘A photo tells a thousand words’ is absolutely perfect for emphasising the power of visual snapshots; the capture of a moment in time.
But it’s those photos that can summon up a whole host of emotions and stories, both real and imagined, as we enjoy memories of the past, the look of loved ones and people and animals we lost along the way. It reminds us of where we have been and the places we have seen along this journey we call life.
FOMOGRAPHY is a game about taking photos but it is also about memory and identity. Now, hold still and say ‘Cheese’
Through the Lens of Memory
FOMOGRAPHY starts with you as a young boy in monochrome, asleep in his backyard. His mother comes into the yard, waking him up with a present. It’s a camera and so obviously she asks him to take a picture of her, and then another and then another. A montage of pics and then she is gone.
Then you find yourself in a strange room with a faceless older man, who asks you to go back to certain points in time and relive memories, changing them with the power of the camera.
It’s a narrative that is, at times, strange and hard to pin down, but it’s evocative and powerful at the same time. This is a game that is all about the journey, exploring and inciting memories. For some reason, that resonated strongly with me.
Camera in Hand
Gameplay-wise, FOMOGRAPHY reminds of bits of another photography game – Lushfoil Photography Sim. Although that game was all about photo-realistic environments, this one is more imaginative in its story. However, there are similar threads in the way the gameplay works and the love of taking photos.
You play in the first person, exploring many different environments while playing as the boy. Your main tool on this journey is your camera, used to go collecting pictures and to evoke memories. It’s here where you’ll need to snap away, zooming in, zooming out to get the perfect frame.
And then, as the game progresses, you’ll discover a multitude of lens that provide a variety of effects and filters to play around with. It’s an outstanding tool to experiment with.
Diverse Environments and Quests
Through FOMOGRAPHY, you’ll discover the opportunity to travel many different environments all based in Australia, where the single developer behind this hails from. Sometimes you will be working in the bustling city, other times relaxing on the beach or traversing a lush jungle. There’s no doubt, there is a great mix of places, with loads to take pictures of.
Your job is to explore, chatting to folk as you go. These people will give you tasks and jobs that progress the story and unlock memories. For example, early on, you are in a city and head into a shop. It’s here where the owner asks you to take a picture of a computer for their sales. In this quest, you have to get in the right position to take the picture, as well as the correct angle. This simple example should give an idea of what FOMOGRAPHY brings, but as you progress things can get more challenging and more fun. At other points in the game, you will need to take shots of animals, flora or different locations for your scrapbook and quests. It’s very addictive and you will want to get them all.
I like the cartoon visuals that FOMOGRAPHY deals in, with it creating an almost Animal Crossing-type vibe at times. Yet it does at times move away from that, into the strange; something which is a nice change from the colourful feel. The soundtrack is good and fits in with the mood of the game, blending neatly with the different actions and environments.
A Relaxing and Evocative Photographic Journey
You will have a very pleasant time with FOMOGRAPHY – especially if you love taking photos and think of yourself as a bit of an amateur photographer. The atmosphere and themes come together well, and whilst this is one of those games in which you can go off and do your own thing, the inclusion of quests and objectives give the game some good direction and purpose.
If you want to take a trip to Australia, going deep into someone’s memories, then FOMOGRAPHY could be the game for you.
Important Links
Rediscover the Past Through the Lens in FOMOGRAPHY – https://www.thexboxhub.com/rediscover-the-past-through-the-lens-in-fomography/
Get Lost with FOMOGRAPHY’s Photographic Journey in 2025 – https://www.thexboxhub.com/get-lost-with-fomographys-photographic-journey-in-2025/
Buy FOMOGRAPHY on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/fomography/9p99d4k7vthm
