Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Not much of a reviewer but felt compelled to on this one.

As a millennial who was born in the late 80's this hit such a perfect sense of nostalgia to things. They nailed the overall vibe while also including that awesome sense of mystery and wonder that has been around since the first LiS. Loved the all female cast with their own personalities while trying to also show the introverted MC what it means to have a friend group. As an introvert, it's highly relatable and recommended to others. Anticipating Tape 3!

To those at Don't Nod, keep up the awesome work! Been a fan of this overall formula since LiS1!

The vibe of the game is summery, evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia that makes me want to dive into it every summer. The combination of bright visuals and cheerful sounds creates an atmosphere that feels inviting and carefree. However, there's an intriguing twist; the game also incorporates a strange and eerie vibe that adds depth to the experience. This juxtaposition of light and dark elements keeps players on their toes, making each moment feel both familiar and unsettling.

One of the standout features for me is the camera recording mechanic. It adds a unique layer of fun to the gameplay, allowing players to capture their adventures in a creative way. Whether you're documenting quirky moments or exploring the game's beautifully crafted environments, using the camera feels rewarding and engaging. Overall, the game masterfully blends nostalgia with an eerie undertone, making it a must-play, especially during those sunny summer days when you want to escape into a captivating world.

During a perfect summer in the 90's, four girls feel drawn together to form a deep lifelong friendship. However, something horrible happened. Something they need to forget. They run, from what they did, from each other, from even their own memories. A package shows up, forcing them to reckon with their past.

It's an incredible plot, and the execution pays off. Thrown back into the summer of '95, full of the unrestricted, free feeling of a group of teen girls' last summer before college and "the real world." It's nostalgic and bittersweet. I found myself remembering aspects of my own past I had long forgotten. Sights and sounds pull you into an immersive world. And the music! Oh, the music! It's a fun blend of dreamy pop sequences and riot grrrl punk.

Each character is fleshed out here, even those that could have been 1-dimensional. Turn every stone, try out every dialog option, because there's a deep mystery here, and it deepens the more you look into it.

This is a rich game focused on characters. On growth. On dangerous mysteries and forgotten pasts. It's somehow both cozy and thrilling. I can't step away from it. In just over a month, the second half will land, and you won't want to miss that.

I downloaded Bloom and Rage on the PS5 and so far, have played part 1.

The game does a fantastic job of making you feel like you're a kid again in the 90s. Which is very special to me as I was raised in the 90s myself.

I enjoyed the story so far, despite the cheesy dialogue and the facial mechanics. My God, the facial mechanics.. I believe the studio must have ran out of money before they could really get the graphics correct.

Despite the mechanical flaws, it didn't take me out of the immersive aspect. I think a score of 7/10 is pretty fair. It's not as good as the Life is Strange saga......

Lost Records is the newest title from the beloved (especially by me) Dontnod studio, developed by the original team behind the first two Life is Strange games. The story follows Swan, Nora, Autumn, and Kat, a group of girls who quickly form a bond - but one with a deadline, as Swan is moving away at the end of summer, while they have to deal with some problems this new friendship will bring.

To be honest, I even feel a bit guilty for not liking this game as much as I expected. I've seen people call it "the Life is Strange 3 we never got," but I couldn't fully connect with it.

The biggest issue for me is the structure. The game focuses a lot more on relationship driven choices than true consequence based decisions. And because it jumps between past and present, a lot of the outcomes are already revealed, which makes many choices feel less meaningful. The tension comes more from seeing how things affect the characters than what happens to them.

That means the characters need to be deeply compelling , and they sort of are. Dontnod does a great job building a believable, emotional friendship between them. But there's a clear focus on Kat's which overshadows the other 2 girl. It feels like the game is pushing you in one direction instead of feeling organic.

Another issue is the pacing. Long stretches go by where very little happens, and even as someone who enjoys narrative games, it felt a bit too slow. The dialogue is solid, the chemistry is there, but the lack of momentum hurts. That said, Tape 2 improves a lot, and the final emotional scenes remind us of the brilliance this team is capable of.

I don't want to sound harsh. Lost Records isn't a bad game. Far from it. But I did feel disconnected for a surprising amount of time. Still, when the story finally picks up, it shows that Dontnod hasn't lost their touch with emotional storytelling. Not their best work, but definitely a solid, heartfelt experience.