"Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - A 90s Nostalgia Trip"

In 2015, the French studio Don't Nod set a new standard for interactive dramas with Life is Strange, a captivating adventure that celebrated the beauty of everyday moments, the strength of unbreakable friendships, and the relentless march of time. Players were drawn to its meticulous attention to detail and the ability to explore and influence the game world. While subsequent projects saw the developers branching into different genres, none quite recaptured the magic that Life is Strange had ignited in fans' hearts.

Years later, Don't Nod returns to its storytelling roots with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, a coming-of-age narrative that transcends mere interactive cinema. It's a heartfelt tribute to a bygone era and the carefree spirit of youth. With its evocative atmosphere, richly drawn characters, and the weight of player choices, this game promises to captivate its audience.

Table of Contents

• Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years
• Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships
• Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters
• A Town Worth Dreaming About
• Slow-Paced Plot: The Defining Feature of the Story

Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years

Image: ensigame.com

At the core of Lost Records is the story of four women whose friendship was shattered 27 years ago. Our protagonist, Swan Holloway, returns to her hometown of Velvet Bay for a reunion with her old friends, only to find a mysterious package from their past waiting for them. A forest, an abandoned house, and secrets that were meant to stay buried—these elements come to life, embodying the essence of Bloom & Rage: a summer night's dream revisited.

The narrative weaves between two timelines: 1995, a time of youthful innocence and brighter days, and 2022, where the now middle-aged heroines meet in a bar, their smiles strained as they skirt around the painful incident that drove them apart. The game cleverly switches to first-person perspective to highlight the contrast between these periods.

However, the bulk of the gameplay unfolds in the past, where players can explore breathtaking locations, nurture relationships, and capture moments with a vintage HVS camera.

Video recording is a central mechanic. Much like Max in Life is Strange, Swan is passionate about filming everything from graffiti and wildlife to people and even hints of the paranormal.

Image: ensigame.com

In a dedicated menu, players can edit their collected footage into short films, categorized by themes, with Swan providing commentary on the results. While some of these documentaries feature in the storyline, they don't directly influence the plot.

Meanwhile, the choices players make during gameplay have both immediate and long-term effects on the story. Due to the episodic nature of the game, the long-term impacts are currently less pronounced, but they remain a key feature of the narrative.

Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships

Lost Records excels in its interactivity and attention to detail, hallmarks of Don't Nod's work.

For example, in one scene, Swan expresses a desire for ice cream from a nearby truck. Players can choose to fulfill her wish or continue with other tasks. Delaying too long results in the truck closing, which in turn alters subsequent conversations with new characters.

Image: ensigame.com

The game world is dynamic, enhancing its appeal. Dialogues unfold in real-time, reminiscent of Oxenfree and Telltale games, with characters interrupting each other, changing topics, and even offering silence as a response. Sometimes, choosing to say nothing can be more impactful than revealing a secret impulsively.

The freedom to build relationships is another form of choice. There's no need to seek everyone's approval; if a character doesn't resonate, players can simply choose to ignore them. Swan's shy nature allows for a gradual opening up, guided by player decisions.

Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters

Image: ensigame.com

Don't Nod has a knack for crafting characters that feel authentic. They're loud, occasionally clumsy in their youthful idealism, yet deeply sincere.

I once critiqued the main cast of Life is Strange: Double Exposure for lacking depth, wondering if interactive films no longer resonated with me. It turns out the issue was elsewhere. Deck Nine doesn't capture personalities as effectively as Don't Nod.

Swan is endearing—an ordinary 16-year-old who struggles with self-doubt, constantly worries about her words, and uses her video camera as a shield. While she might seem reminiscent of Max Caulfield from Life is Strange, Swan's character feels fresh and distinct.

Image: ensigame.com

Her friends—Ottem, Kate, and Nora—embody familiar archetypes but transcend them. Nora, the punk girl with colorful bangs and big American dreams, surprises with her cautious nature, while Kate, the passionate writer, often pushes for bold actions, urging Swan to seize the moment. Ottem values thoughtful and serious individuals.

In their company, players will feel like teenagers again, convinced they understand life, no matter their actual age. Lost Records is a journey through time, not just into youth but into the heart of the '90s.

A Town Worth Dreaming About

Nostalgia is woven into every aspect of the game, epitomized by Swan's room, a treasure trove of '90s artifacts. From bulky TVs and VHS tapes to floppy disks, tamagotchis, Rubik's cubes, and troll dolls, every detail invites exploration and reflection.

Easter eggs referencing pop culture abound: Sabrina, The X-Files, Tank Girl, The Goonies, Twilight, Casper, Revenge of the Nerds—and these are just the movies. The game also nods to video games like Oxenfree, Night in the Woods, Control, and, of course, Life is Strange, as well as books and music such as House of Leaves, Nine Inch Nails, and Nirvana.

Image: ensigame.com

The most overt reference is the plot's 27-year gap, reminiscent of Stephen King's It.

The soundtrack deserves special mention. Don't Nod's choice of dream-pop and indie-rock tunes, including the standout track "See You in Hell," perfectly complements the game's atmosphere. Initially, I thought the music didn't resonate, but "The Wild Unknown" has been stuck in my head for days.

Thanks to the masterful integration of all these elements, Velvet Bay emerges as the quintessential sleepy American town—cozy by day, eerie by night. The more players explore, the more Bloom & Rage intrigues and confounds.

Slow-Paced Plot: The Defining Feature of the Story

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The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, so much so that the mystery aspect might be forgotten. Unlike Life is Strange, where the transition from teenage life to detective work is swift, Lost Records takes its time. It insists players get to know the characters, forge bonds, and soak in the '90s atmosphere before the narrative shifts gears.

For me, this slow build isn't a flaw, though it might not suit everyone's taste. The tension escalates in the second half of the first episode (or "reel"), culminating in a gripping cliffhanger that sets the stage for the next installment. This leaves players eager to theorize and speculate—exactly what the developers intended.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage transports players to the '90s, even if they never lived through them. It's a game that knows its audience and doesn't pretend to be anything else. It embodies all the essential elements for success in its genre: relatable characters, engaging interactions, and the promise of a compelling story. The full impact of its narrative will be revealed with the release of the second part on April 15th. I eagerly await the conclusion, hoping Don't Nod will once again weave their storytelling magic.