Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD at its best | Hands-on preview

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD at its best | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer who has traversed through countless narrative-driven games, I can confidently say that my latest encounter with Life is Strange’s spiritual successor, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, is nothing short of extraordinary. Having spent a good chunk of time exploring its vibrant world, I find myself captivated by the story and the characters that inhabit it.


Life Strange-like games have been spawned by numerous narrative-focused titles, where player choices significantly impact the game’s overall plot and character destiny. DONTNOD Studios, renowned for their storytelling prowess, have returned to their origins with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. I had the opportunity to experience approximately 90 minutes of its latest creation, and while it maintains the distinctive elements that make them famous, they’ve innovatively employed a video recording mechanic, adding a fresh twist. The storyline thus far has left me eagerly anticipating where it will lead next.

Though many aspects of the tale remain unexplored, I’ve gained a solid understanding of the characters found in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. The narrative unfolds in the mid-90s, revealing a profound and swift bond between four social outcasts. A series of events causes them to part ways, but fast forward 20 years, they reunite at a diner following the receipt of an enigmatic package. This artifact connects them to the unforeseen incident that led to their separation.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD at its best | Hands-on preview

Although I’m yet to understand the major incident that led them to part ways, the sudden shift from a charming and innocent narrative to a chilling climax at the end of the trailer gives me anticipation for the complete version. In the meantime, I got the opportunity to delve into the bond between the girls in 1995, appreciate numerous references to that epoch, and become engrossed in DON’T NOD’s talent for weaving a captivating story using well-developed characters and engaging dialogue.

In her quiet, movie-loving nature, Swann is preparing to depart from Velvet Cove, taking one last look around before she goes. She searches for a Dark Crystal VHS tape to return to the local store. Meanwhile, you experiment with your video camera, capturing moments of your cat and your room. To activate the camera, you press the left shoulder button, while recording is initiated by pressing the right one. You have the freedom to zoom in and out, move the camera around, and once you’ve found a suitable spot, you can revisit the footage to appreciate the entire scene. This handy feature becomes significant later, particularly during the preview where I recorded a music video for my newly formed circle of friends.

Following their rescue from the bullies, you swiftly establish friendships with three distinct characters. Autumn, the bold and self-assured one, takes charge of the group; Nora, the edgy punk enthusiast with a taste for rebellion, is in the mix too; and Kat, who can be quiet at times but has an air of tranquility about her, remains somewhat of a mystery. You first encounter them in their garage as they rehearse music, providing you with an opportunity to get acquainted with them while they strum their instruments. Nora and Amber propose the idea of recording a music video, and you suggest a beautiful nature trail where you believe it would look fantastic.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD at its best | Hands-on preview

Following Nora and Amber’s performance after adding a drum beat to their music, and selecting dialogue that helped in getting acquainted with them as well as determining who resonated more, you find yourself on a nature trail preparing for recording. The film “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage” fast-forwards to 2022, where Swann and Autumn are reminiscing about the past, focusing particularly on the trail’s events. As it switches back to you exploring the scenic trail, they subtly suggest that their memories contain a mix of good and bad moments. While documenting your friends, you begin noticing deeper bonds emerging among some of them.

Following my request for Kat and Nora to share a kiss in front of an antiquated motorbike, Kat seems somewhat quiet, hinting at potential emotions towards Nora. Although their feelings aren’t explicitly shown here, it appears that their relationship may unfold more fully when the complete game is released. Your journey concludes as you rest by a lake under the scorching rays of the sun, discussing your good fortune and cherishing this friendship before returning to the garage to watch Swann’s remarkable music video. However, a brief instant arises where this budding sisterhood seems to be unraveling.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is DON’T NOD at its best | Hands-on preview

As Swann hits replay on the music video from Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, it begins to behave oddly, causing the lights to flicker out. A strange event unfolds, leaving the group in suspense as they wait with bated breath, on the verge of panic. The preview comes to an abrupt halt, leaving the cause of the incident a mystery. Despite this unexpected turn, I’m thoroughly enjoying Lost Records: Bloom & Rage thus far – the characters are skillfully crafted, and their interactions are beautifully portrayed.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, Bloom & Rage had me hooked with its 90s throwbacks and stunning visuals – not to mention the video camera feature that added an extra layer of immersion. It was like stepping back into the world of Life is Strange, where I could scrutinize points of interest and listen in on Swann’s thoughts, whether they were heartwarming or downright quirky.

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2024-08-20 23:46