Lushfoil Photography Sim [PlayStation 5] | REVIEW

There’s something special about a game that simply encourages you to just slow down and relax, and believe me, after spending hours with fast-paced action titles or massive open-worlds full of objectives to complete, Lushfoil Photography Sim truly stood out thanks to its focus on stillness, curiosity, and a creative eye. With its serene environments and impressively detailed photography mechanics, it delivers a peaceful and visually rich experience – even if a few design choices hold it back from true greatness.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Developed by Matt Newell, Lushfoil Photography Sim takes players on a self-guided journey through real-world-inspired locations where the only real objective is to snap photographs to capture the beauty of the world. Whether it’s the likes of the icy landscapes of Iceland, the calm waters of Yamagata in Japan, or the warm sands of Castle Rock Beach in Australia, each locale you explore is a sprawling space filled with photogenic moments that are itching to be discovered. More importantly, the environments themselves aren’t just pretty backdrops, but rather lovingly crafted settings where attention has been paid to every small detail. They’re also completely secluded, and whilst some locales you venture through might typically be bustling with life, their emptiness here adds to the alluring sense of solitude that Lushfoil Photography Sim offers. As I’ve got older, I’ve missed having the chance to spend time alone and just soak things in, but I REALLY felt like I got that opportunity here.

True to its name, the core of Lushfoil Photography Sim lies in the art of taking photos. You start with a DSLR camera, but along the way, you’ll unlock additional gear that each offer a different aesthetic and feel. With things such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus, and even lens swapping to tinker around with, the game does a great job of mirroring real-world functionality closely, and photography enthusiasts will likely appreciate how true-to-life the experience is. Honestly? I’m a bit of an amateur with a camera, so maybe I didn’t appreciate the finer details of the experience quite as much, but I was still impressed by the sheer depth of the mechanics. And don’t be put off if you think it might be overwhelming – Lushfoil Photography Sim does a good job of easing players in with some handy tutorials to go through the ins-and-outs of snapping that perfect shot.

“Lushfoil Photography Sim is a captivating experience that blends the joy of exploration with the depth of real photography.”

Progression is tied to taking specific photos that match reference images found on notice boards scattered throughout each map. Once you’ve completed these challenges, you’ll unlock new environments, giving players a sense of progression that ensures the game never feels too open-ended in design. It makes for an addictive gameplay loop, and as a perfectionist, I found myself constantly tinkering around with settings and positioning to get that PERFECT shot. It’s always satisfying though, and whilst it’s also fun to simply snap photographs of sights that interest you, having some sense of direction does make the experience more fulfilling.

Beyond photography, the game’s structure is fairly open-ended, so you’re free to simply soak in your surroundings and snap photographs at your own pace. Each location even contains some small collectibles and secrets that add a playful sense of interactivity when exploring, so there are little things to keep an eye out for (or even snap a photo of). And who knows, you might even stumble across a few portals that take you to intriguing variants of locations…

Check out some screenshots down below:

While Lushfoil Photography Sim hits many highs, it does stumble occasionally. The invisible barriers that block off parts of the map can be jarring, whilst the camera controls can be a little fiddly at times too. It’s not enough to be frustrating, but it took me a bit of time to figure everything out. Another minor gripe is that on the PlayStation 5, your in-game photos aren’t automatically saved to your system’s gallery, which limits how easily you can share your favourite shots without extra steps. It’s not a deal-breaker by any means (and you can always simply take a screenshot), but it does feel like a missed opportunity for a game so focused on visual storytelling.

Developer: Matt Purnell
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://annapurnainteractive.com/en/games/lushfoil-photography-sim