Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Hands-On Preview – Growing Up

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Hands-On Preview - Growing Up

As a seasoned connoisseur of narrative-driven games, I must say that Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has certainly piqued my interest with its unique approach to player interaction and character development. The way players can manipulate Swann’s camcorder to personalize her memoirs is a refreshing take on the genre, reminiscent of Life is Strange but with a twist that makes it uniquely its own.


When it comes to story-driven adventure games, DONTNOD Entertainment is well-known among enthusiasts of this genre. Following the success of Life is Strange, which led to a series, DONTNOD has persisted in creating similar titles like Tell Me Why and the upcoming game Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. Set for release in early 2025, Game Rant was given an opportunity to sample the game to learn about its mechanics and the central group of friends featured in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage aspires to engage fans of Life is Strange by offering a fresh perspective, atmosphere, and compelling characters. In contrast to what DONTNOD Montreal has planned for Bloom & Rage, it’s expected to prompt fans to revisit the tale of Max and Chloe, as Lost Records seeks to demonstrate how much DONTNOD has progressed since 2015. Given that Life is Strange will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next year, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage promises to offer an experience that fans of the genre will cherish as they move forward and reflect back.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’s Gameplay

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Hands-On Preview - Growing Up

In our preview, the main character Swann’s relationship with her friends was the main focus. It seems that DON’T NOD still wishes to keep the main mystery of the game, as well as how the story unfolds, under lock and key, so this experience separated key sections in the form of flashbacks as Swann and her friend Autumn go down memory lane in the present day. While the full game may let these events play out differently, other aspects, such as how the game looks and feels, certainly impressed in a way that DON’T NOD’s long-term fans will most likely appreciate.

Although the game is still being worked on, the previews were visually stunning and engaging. The attention to detail in the characters’ facial expressions and hairstyles, along with the clever use of color and lighting in the game’s settings, creates a sense of immersion. The game seamlessly moves between past and present, and each character and aspect of the world is richly detailed and ripe for exploration. As we get closer to the launch of “Lost Records”, these intricacies are expected to become even more pronounced. With Swann’s camcorder, the characters and environment appear even more lifelike, mirroring home videos from the ’90s perfectly.

How Players Get to Interact with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

In essence, narrative-driven games like “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage” emphasize the decisions players make, and this game appears to provide a multitude of these decisions, some of which could significantly impact the game’s progression and main character in ways that “Life is Strange” might not have managed. A sneak peek reveals an abundance of areas to investigate, objects to discover, and dialogue options that exhibit more style and individuality than before, making them easier to understand while also showcasing their consequences. Some of Swann’s dialogue choices are time-critical, reflecting her immediate thoughts as well as the player’s, which injects an element of excitement when deciding what to say.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Hands-On Preview - Growing Up

In much the same way as other games of its kind, some dialogue options in “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage” don’t always align with the choices presented in the menu. This often highlights Swann’s reserved, socially awkward character by revealing what she wants to say versus what she actually does. Overall, it appears that Lost Records values player autonomy and offers a wealth of options, ensuring that multiple playthroughs are rewarding. One unique way players can engage with this game world, emphasizing the freedom aspect of “Lost Records,” is through Swann’s camcorder. Just as the “Life is Strange” series uses supernatural powers to traverse the environment, in “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage,” players must record Swann’s daily life as the story unfolds. By capturing the footage at the right angles and precise moments, players can shape Swann’s memoirs according to their preferences, providing limitless opportunities for personalization.

In the initial glance, wielding Swann’s camcorder seemed like a fantastic method to immerse myself in the game’s intricacies while still being an active participant. Bloom & Rage was chock-full of exciting moments to capture, and even if there were certain aspects the developers didn’t want us to zero in on, there were always workarounds to keep them in the frame. Indeed, it was entirely feasible to document all of Swann’s memoirs revolving around her feline companion Pumpkin whenever he made an appearance.

Lost Records: Love & Rage Immerses Players into the Role of Swann

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Hands-On Preview - Growing Up

As a gamer, I’m really excited about diving into “Lost Records: Love & Rage.” This game transports me to two different time periods – 1995 and 2022, but the sneak peek mainly highlighted the summer of ’95 with a few glimpses into other years. The nostalgia hit hard as I saw those chunky TVs, cassette tapes, and stickers adorning Swann’s belongings – it felt like stepping back into the 90s!

In some instances, symbols of a young tree sprouting were included alongside the choices, suggesting that players could help develop significant aspects of Swann’s character during gameplay. This leads us to ponder how these decisions might influence the major choices awaiting players in the complete version of “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.” DONTNOD seems keen on everything culminating in a cohesive way, and there are still many secrets hidden within Lost Records. There’s a good chance that “Bloom & Rage” could turn out to be an exceptionally varied experience by empowering players to mold Swann themselves as they progress through the game.

The Bloom & Rage Band Might Just Endear and Surprise Players in Unexpected Ways

The storyline of Swann and her companions in “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage” promises to highlight the best that DONTNOD has produced over the last decade. Although there’s much more to explore when the game is officially released, our preview offered a compelling glimpse into the tender yet awkward interactions involved in forging new friendships and rekindling old ones. The preview aimed to emphasize the connection between the four girls of “Bloom & Rage,” and it successfully portrayed a bond that players will eagerly watch develop, thrive, and ultimately disintegrate due to the enigmatic secret that binds them. If the characters maintain their authenticity in the final game, then fans of narrative-driven games are sure to appreciate “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.”

Read More

2024-08-20 23:34