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

In 2015, French studio Don't Nod captivated audiences with Life is Strange, setting a new standard for interactive dramas. This enthralling adventure 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 Don't Nod's subsequent projects ventured into different genres, none recaptured the same magic that Life is Strange had sparked in fans' hearts.

Years later, Don't Nod returns to its storytelling roots with Lost Records, a game that transcends mere interactive cinema to become a tribute to a bygone era and the carefree essence of youth. With its evocative atmosphere, richly drawn characters, and choices that carry significant weight, Lost Records captivates and draws players into its world.

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 dissolved 27 years ago. The protagonist, Swan Holloway, returns to her hometown of Velvet Bay for a reunion and discovers a mysterious package from their past. Set against the backdrop of a forest, an abandoned house, and secrets that were meant to stay buried, the game brings forgotten memories to life. This is the essence of Bloom & Rage: a summer night's dream relived.

The narrative weaves through two timelines: one set in 1995, a time when life seemed brighter and more vibrant, and the other in 2022, where the heroines, now in their forties, awkwardly reunite in a bar, skirting around the incident that tore them apart. The camera shifts to first-person mode to underscore the shift in perspective and time.

Most of the gameplay, however, unfolds in the past. Players explore stunning locations, nurture relationships, and capture events using a vintage HVS camera. Video recording is a pivotal mechanic, reminiscent of Max's abilities in Life is Strange. Swan films everything from graffiti to wildlife and even paranormal phenomena.

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 these documentaries enrich the storyline, they do not alter its course.

Meanwhile, the choices players make throughout the game shape the narrative, influencing both long-term outcomes and immediate interactions. The episodic nature of the game means that long-lasting impacts are currently fewer, but this is a key feature of its storytelling approach.

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 may result in the truck closing, altering subsequent conversations with new characters.

Image: ensigame.com

The game's world is dynamic, enhancing its charm. Dialogues unfold in real-time, akin to Oxenfree and Telltale games, with characters interrupting each other, changing topics, and offering silence as a viable response. Sometimes, choosing not to speak can be more impactful than impulsively revealing a secret.

Freedom in building relationships also reflects the power of choice. Players don't need to seek approval from everyone; if someone doesn't resonate with them, they can simply ignore them. Swan's shy nature allows players to help her open up.

Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters

Image: ensigame.com

Don't Nod has a knack for crafting characters that feel authentic. They are loud, occasionally clumsy in their youthful idealism, yet deeply sincere. I once critiqued the main cast of Life is Strange: Double Exposure for lacking soul, wondering if interactive films no longer resonated with me. It turns out the issue lay with the developers, not the genre. Deck Nine simply doesn't craft personalities as effectively as Don't Nod.

Swan is endearing—an ordinary 16-year-old who struggles with self-doubt, constantly frets over her words, and uses her video camera as a shield. Though she shares similarities with Max Caulfield from Life is Strange, Swan feels distinct and not like a mere echo of her predecessor.

Image: ensigame.com

Her friends—Ottem, Kate, and Nora—embody familiar archetypes but transcend them. Nora, the punk girl with colorful bangs and American dreams, surprisingly emerges as the most cautious in the group. Kate, the passionate writer, often pushes for bolder actions, encouraging Swan to seize the moment. Ottem values thoughtful and serious individuals.

In their company, players can relive the feeling of being a teenager who believes they know everything about life, regardless of 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 permeates Lost Records, especially evident in Swan's room, filled with relics of the past like bulky TVs, VHS tapes, floppy disks, Tamagotchis, Rubik's cubes, and troll dolls—a treasure trove for millennials. Every detail invites exploration and appreciation, evoking both admiration and a sense of loss for the golden years.

The game is rich with pop culture Easter eggs, referencing movies like Sabrina, The X-Files, Tank Girl, The Goonies, Twilight, Casper, and Revenge of the Nerds. Video games such as Oxenfree, Night in the Woods, Control, and Life is Strange are also mentioned, along with books and music like House of Leaves, Nine Inch Nails, and Nirvana.

Image: ensigame.com

The most striking reference is the plot setup, reminiscent of Stephen King's It, where 27 years have passed since the characters last met.

The soundtrack is another standout element. Don't Nod has masterfully chosen dream-pop and indie-rock tunes that soothe the ears. "See You in Hell" is a track worthy of the charts, and "The Wild Unknown" has been stuck in my head for days.

The skillful blending of all these elements transforms Velvet Bay into the quintessential sleepy American town. Cozy by day and chilling by night, the more players explore, the more Bloom & Rage entices and mystifies.

Slow-Paced Plot: The Defining Feature of the Story

Image: ensigame.com

The exposition in Lost Records unfolds so gradually that players might forget its mystery genre roots. Unlike Life is Strange, which quickly shifts from teenage life to detective work, Lost Records insists on a slower pace. It prioritizes character development, relationship building, and immersion in the '90s atmosphere before the narrative takes a turn.

This slow build-up might not appeal to everyone, but it creates a rich, immersive experience for those who appreciate it. The tension escalates in the second half of the first episode, or "reel," culminating in a cliffhanger that promises more excitement in the next installment. This leaves players eager to speculate and theorize, which is 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 understands its audience and doesn't pretend to be anything else. With relatable characters, engaging interactions, and the potential for a compelling story, it possesses all the ingredients for success in its genre. Its true impact will be clearer after the release of the second part on April 15th. Hopefully, Don't Nod will weave its magic once again, and I eagerly await the conclusion.