Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is the latest effort from French publisher/developer Don’t Nod, the studio responsible for the original Life is Strange. A new IP it may be, but the studio’s latest effort has clear as day inspirations from its original work, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing at all, but the question is, does Lost Records: Bloom & Rage carry on the individuality and unique outlook on life, love and relationships that Life is Strange started 10 years ago?
| Editor’s Note |
|---|
| Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has two tapes, but only one has released. This review covers tape one. |
There is a Whole Lot to Take In
Telling the story of Swann and her friends Nora, Autumn and Kat over two intertwining and referential timelines, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is something of a coming of age tale, whilst simultaneously being a mystery supernatural thriller that’ll have you wondering what’s next and what’s going on.
Set in the fictional town of Velvet Cove, Michigan, you’ll spend your time split between the two timelines. One, in mid 90s 1995 nostalgia, as the 16 year old Swann. The second in 2022, as an early forties version of Swann ready to reminisce and meet up with her former teenage friend (and one time love interest?) Autumn.
As 16 year old Swann, you’ll be spending a great deal of time talking with your friends, choosing dialogue paths and decisions that directly affect your relationships, and taking advantage of her one main hobby, filmmaking, to collect all manner of things on camera. Bugs, animals, friends, locations and ghoulish cabins in the woods, you’ll see it all. Or you won’t. You’re not forced to use it all the time, but it does amount to a considerable chunk of the 90s sections gameplay.
As the 2022 Swann, you’re doing the same, bar the video camera. These sections are far smaller than that of the 90s parts, and offer as bookmarks or chapter closes to indicate significant events occurring, but they break up the game into meaningful chunks nonetheless, and offer a different outlet beyond that of pure childhood adventure. The dichotomy of seeing the two versions of Swann and Autumn certainly give the game a unique angle. It’s also important to note that interspersed throughout the 90s sections you’ll hear the two older characters talking away, almost narrating the events going on as we see them. Each time this happened, it always made me wonder if we were seeing what actually happened, or just a version of what they remember.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Beginnings
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a slow start, it must be said. No-one goes into these sort of ‘interactive movies’ expecting all out action or gripping openings sequences, but Don’t Nod certainly chose to put the brakes on here. An opening scene lasting what felt like an eternity between older Swann and her mother on the phone felt a little too realistic, as her mother lambasted her for her lack of communication, availability for holidays and pryed into her personal affairs of the past, but it also dragged.
This isn’t a regular occurrence during the many conversations of the game, in fairness, with most being tightly written and illuminating to both the situation and the characters, making them all feel real and well rounded. Much more than 2D characters here! Depending on your choices dialogue wise, you’ll also be able to see in each conversation how your responses shape your relationships with your new friends, and some genuinely touching moments will follow.
In my opinion, during my playthrough, this felt like the biggest strength of the game. It allowed me to choose who I’d like to become closer to thanks to real conversations, and seeing how that may well cause problems with other members of the group had me really picking and choosing what to respond with to what people. I picked the ‘wrong’ choice by accident after not reading something once, hurting Nora’s feelings, and immediately shouted “Shit” as I’d messed up in my chosen way. Don’t get it twisted though, this isn’t a friendship or relationship simulator, but you will feel like what you say matters.
As the story progresses, so does the mystery and the utter confusion of what’s going on. Despite its message and themes surrounding love, friendship, body image, sexuality and more, it still finds time to include a genuinely interesting story that if you give it time, it will grip you. Albeit, that time is a big chunk, and some may be ‘lost’. I have a feeling this first tape is doing all of the narrative heavy lifting and set up for a more revealing tape two in April.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is outstandingly beautiful, and it Showcases what can be done with Unreal Engine 5 when studios give the developers time to work. From the characters to the environments, down to the little birds and insects, everything is polished and well worth looking at, and then some. The devs have also done a fantastic job of replicating 90s culture, and kudos for the Pulp Fiction reference!
There are some teething problems, for sure, be it the pacing or the sometimes haphazard way you’ll make your way through a ‘Scene’, the term given to each level. Sometimes the lack of direction can have you retreading old steps on how to proceed, and it infuriated me at moments as I filmed the wrong thing again (the capture window of which is very specifically sized, make sure to zoom in or out to get it to register properly), or missed the less than obvious prompt to enter a cabin window, but the overall package is a great one.
Well-written characters, gorgeous visuals, a coming-of-age story with a tinge of thriller that’ll have you hooked and unwilling to look away, and important messages and themes at a time where the world (and gaming industry) desperately need it more than ever. I’m desperate for Tape Two.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a coming-of-age story about four young women and their simple summer of freedom and friendship. Reuniting 27 years later, things have unravelled they promised never to speak of again.
Summary
Don’t Nod has taken what they learned with Life is Strange and made something different, yet impressively better. It’ll make you think, both about your in-game actions and out-of-game life, and will stick with you long after you switch off. Most importantly, it goes to show games are an art form that can have a message, be fun, and also still be unique and different from what we’ve seen before.
HOURS PLAYED: 18
PLAYED ON: PS5
- Well-written characters will keep you involved in their lives, and have you questioning your decisions mid-conversation.
- Stunning visuals. From sunlit forests to dank and dirty Blockbuster knockoffs, it's a glorious sight to behold.
- The camera and memoir mechanic can be a lot of fun.
- A very slow start could be an early breaking point for many.
- The camera mechanic needs some polishing, as fun can turn to frustration quickly if the player doesn't have it exactly in the right place
- Some scenes drag on and overstay their welcome, whilst others don't stay long enough.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage‘s first part was released on 18th February 2025 and is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Part/Tape Two launches on April 15th as an update download.
For more Thumb Wars Reviews, check out our impressions of Driving Is Hard, or our review of the long awaited sequel Tails of Iron 2: Whiskers of Winter. This and every Thumb Wars review is featured on OpenCritic.
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Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
