Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 is a fascinating narrative adventure developed by DON’T NOD, the acclaimed studio behind Life is Strange. Known for its expertise in creating deeply emotional and immersive stories, DON’T NOD takes players on a new journey that explores themes of friendship, memory and the bittersweet nature of coming of age.
Set in the mid-1990s, the game introduces us to four teenage girls from the small town of Velvet Cove, Michigan. Through a two-timeline structure – one in the past, during a fateful summer in 1995, and the other in the present, 27 years later – we experience a touching and mysterious story of bonding, creativity and long-buried secrets.
Story – A Feeling of Life is Strange and Stranger Things
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 is a coming-of-age story shrouded in mystery. Players slip into the shoes of Swann Holloway, an introverted, artistic teenager who faces the challenges of adolescence while preparing for a life-changing move to Vancouver. As she spends her last summer at Velvet Cove, she unexpectedly bonds with three other girls – Nora, Autumn and Kat – forming an inseparable friendship that revolves around their shared love of music.
Today, the four once close friends have gone their separate ways, each scarred by their past but reluctant to return to it. Yet when fate brings them together again after almost three decades, the truth about what happened that summer begins to unfold. The game masterfully weaves together past and present, allowing players to piece together the story and establish an intimate bond with these characters as they confront their memories.
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- An endearing friendship.
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- A story that will change their lives forever.
Gameplay – A Formula That Never Changes
Although Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 is first and foremost a narrative experience, it offers attractive gameplay elements that reinforce immersion and encourage exploration. Unlike traditional point-and-click adventures, the game incorporates mechanics that feel organic and meaningful, allowing players to interact with the world in a way that deepens their connection to the story.
Swann’s camcorder is one of the game’s most unique features. It serves as both a storytelling tool and a gameplay mechanic. Players can use it to record moments throughout the game, capturing key interactions and details of the environment. These recordings act as a kind of “memory album”, providing insight into character relationships and personal reflections.
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- Playing with Swann’s camcorder adds a nice touch.
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- Have fun with your friends.
Graphics and Sound – It’s Beautiful, Soothing, and at the Same Time Scary
Visually, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 is a work of art in the DON’T NOD tradition. The game’s art direction perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 90s, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Every location feels authentic. The cinematography is also outstanding, using dynamic angles and well-framed shots to create a sense of intimacy. The way the camera lingers on a quiet moment or zooms in on a lively conversation adds a cinematic quality that enhances the narrative.
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- Warm, sumptuous graphics.
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- As well as intriguing, even frightening places?
So What Does It All Add Up To?
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 is a beautifully crafted, and deeply emotional journey that masterfully blends storytelling, exploration and music. It captures the intensity of teenage friendships, the power of nostalgia and the lingering echoes of the past in a way that feels profoundly real.
Part one of an unforgettable duology, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 1 lays the foundations for an even more intriguing sequel in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 2. By the end of this first part, you’ll be left with just one question: what really happened that summer? What really happened that summer in 1995? And above all, what happens next?
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- Endearing characters.
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- References to previous DON’T NOD games that are sure to please fans.
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- All the scenery is pleasant to look at and explore.
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- Déjà vu, eh?
