My love for Don’t Nod games began just like most other’s probably did: when the glorious phenomenon known as Life Is Strange came in to tug at all our heartstrings.
Since then, there’s always been some chatter about the franchise’s spiritual successor, carrying on Don’t Nod’s monumental storytelling while also blending in something entirely new. And, after spending a few hours with its upcoming title, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, it looks like we’re finally getting that successor, if not even more.
Instead of controlling time like Max Caulfield, Lost Records has you direct moments with a video recorder as Swann, a young film enthusiast who completely embodies teenage awkwardness. She’s a clumsy girl who’s quick to trip over everything and often throws a few words of classic teenage self-deprivation any time she messes up. And, of course, she always wants to keep it hip with the cool kids, even when she mentions movies no one’s ever heard of.
But regardless of my wanting to curl up in a ball of embarrassment for her, the game truly encapsulates the naivety of teenage-hood with its rollercoaster of feelings. It touches upon a very emotional part of all our lives, making it all the more relatable.
Getting lost in Velvet Cove
As a mystery narrative adventure set in 1995, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage follows Swann’s journey with her eccentric group of friends. In cozy Velvet Cove, you’ll meet the rebellious rockstar Nora and her fellow bandmate, Autumn, who’s got a kind-hearted spirit. Last but not least is Kat, the most logical teen out of the ensemble.
Their amusing camaraderie makes it seem like we’re getting a classic summer female-led narrative about friendship. Then, the story shifts into a more I Know What You Did Last Summer vibe when something goes bump in the night. Flash forward to 27 years later, we learn that the quirky ensemble hasn’t spoken to each other since, and now their past is finally catching up to them — all to expose what happened that fateful night.
The scenes play out in a back-and-forth manner, switching between Swann’s teenage years and adulthood. I mostly got to experience the past timeline, but their future selves sometimes put in their two cents by narrating various moments. It’s subtle for the most part, where Swann will chime in to say, “Wait, why did I say that? That’s so embarrassing!”
Despite the present timeline being brief, it did remind me a lot of the show Yellowjackets’ past-and-present style, especially with the whole “don’t tell anyone what happened” thing it’s got going on. However, rather than watching how it plays out, you’ll be in control through the game’s impactful choice-based mechanics.
Choices truly shape your journey throughout Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, no matter how small or monumental they may appear. It can be as basic as not moving a piece of wire out of the way, leading to Swann tripping and falling flat in front of her friends. I know it’s just a video game, but seeing those judging eyes makes me feel like I’m a clumsy teenager all over again.
There are also some bits where you have to attempt to impress Nora, Kat, and Autumn, which brought on a challenge for me. I guess I never really mastered the art of being cool since I seemed to pick the choices that regard Swann’s parents, specifically mentioning her father’s rock music taste. I forgot that liking your parents at that age isn’t that “cool.”
On the bright side, the group is pretty lenient on these choices and is nice enough to look past any of the “wrong” options. But since it’s a preview version, I only got a taste of the decision gameplay. The current build primarily focuses on a day in Swann’s life leading up to the night that changes everything. I won’t give away too much, but it seems to be linked to their discovery of a dark place that alters their lives forever. I highly suspect the full version will bring out the more significant choices that could be a matter of life and death.
Be the director of a classic ’90s teen movie
While choices are the main focus of almost every Don’t Nod entry, the camera feature is what makes the game exceptionally unique. The preview begins with you playing around with a recorder at her house, and then ends with the grand finale of making a music video for Autumn and Nora’s band. You can pull out Swann’s camera almost everywhere you go and create short films to capture your summer memories. I thought my recording skills sucked when I first tried it out, but fortunately, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage makes you feel like you were born to be a director.
The recordings are completely edited in a retro style, featuring a classic glitch-filled VHS filter. It’s almost as if you uncovered a video from the ’90s in a time capsule. Plus, Swann narrates each piece, giving it much more meaning with her curiously innocent nature. It’s more fun to do when you have the gang with you, getting to know them a little more with each scene. Key moments can be captured here to bring more pizazz to the piece, from Autumn’s dynamic cartwheeling to Nora’s cigarette smoke rings, to Kat’s stoic look. That, to me, just sounds like the perfect encapsulation of teenage angst, and it’s nice to see it all come together in its final production.
Even when I recently recorded a piece, I always wanted to see what it looked like immediately afterward. There’s just something more personal about watching your creations come to life, which will undoubtedly make everyone’s playthrough unique. There are also a few opportunities to capture the wildlife around you, offering more points for you to shoot as a collection challenge.
Apart from the gameplay, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’s visuals are just plain stunning. Every scene looks like it could be hung as a painting, with its vibrant scenery and finely crafted environment. But even with its painting-esque artwork, it still somehow looks realistic with its lifelike characters.
The ’90s are making a comeback
As a ’90s baby, I enjoyed all the little details of this era throughout the scenes. Although I was goo-goo-gaga’ing around that time, I recognized the small tidbits, from a Blockbuster-inspired video tape to the fashionable fanny packs. The chic outfits add to the ’90s era more, and you have the power to choose what Swann wears.
Having that control of outfits and choices makes the entire experience utterly meaningful. By the end of it, I was engrossed in the character’s lives and the mystery behind their secrets. It also left off with a cliffhanger, giving me the same impatient feeling I get whenever a TV show ends with “Find out what happens next in the upcoming episode!” Only the wait is a little more agonizing since the game won’t be coming out until next year.
If you’re looking for something like Life Is Strange, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will be right up your alley. It has that same strong female-led element, with mystery and teenage angst. The title also offers incredibly fresh concepts through its group ensemble and camera recording feature, making it stand out from the LiS series. I already know I’m picking it up the minute the game launches, based on my demo’s cliffhanger alone. And you can, too, when it releases Tape 1 on Feb. 18, 2025, and Tape 2 on March 18, 2025, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
Published: Aug 20, 2024 03:30 pm