Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative-driven adventure game that blends mystery, nostalgia, and supernatural elements. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Review Overview

What is Lost Records: Bloom & Rage?

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative-driven adventure game by Don't Nod. The game blends coming-of-age drama with a mysterious past, switching between two timelines, 1995 and 2022. In the past, we follow a group of four friends, Swann, Kat, Nora, and Autumn, as they navigate one unforgettable summer. In the present, Swann returns to her hometown to uncover the truth about what really happened during that time.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage features:
　⚫︎　A Dual-Timeline Narrative
　⚫︎　VHS Recording Mechanic
　⚫︎　Emotionally Driven Dialogue
　⚫︎　Light Puzzle-Solving and Exploration
　⚫︎　A Deep Focus on Friendship, Nostalgia, And The Passage Of Time
　⚫︎　A Carefully Curated Soundtrack

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Lost Records: Bloom & Rage's gameplay and story.

Digital Storefronts
Steam		PS Store		Xbox
Price		$39.99

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Choices Affect Relationship Dynamics Nuanced Antagonists With Believable Motivations Subtle But Effective Horror Moments Recording Mechanic You Can Edit And Watch	Pacing Might Be Too Slow For Some Players Puzzles Lack Real Challenge Environmental Interactions Can Feel Repetitive

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Overall Score - 78/100

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage excels in storytelling, character depth, and immersive atmosphere, but a few elements hold it back from achieving a higher score. The slower pace suits the narrative but might not be for everyone, and some mechanics—particularly the puzzles—feel somewhat underdeveloped. Nevertheless, the emotional impact and strong performances make it a compelling experience.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Story - 9/10

The story is undeniably the heart of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and it shines brilliantly. The characters are richly developed, their relationships feel authentic, and the dual timeline structure masterfully builds intrigue. The slow-burn pacing allows the emotional weight of their friendships to fully settle in, making every interaction feel meaningful and impactful. The mystery is gripping, seamlessly woven into the narrative, keeping players engaged from start to finish. While some elements remain unresolved by the end of Tape 1, this only adds to the anticipation for what’s to come, making the wait for Tape 2 all the more exciting.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Gameplay - 7/10

The gameplay loop is simple and effective but lacks variety. While the puzzles serve their purpose well, they’re quite easy and rarely require much thought, making them feel more like minor obstacles rather than meaningful challenges. Additionally, movement and exploration, while immersive, sometimes feel slow, further emphasizing the game's deliberate pacing—something that won’t work for every player.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Visuals - 7/10

The art style is charming, and the warm, nostalgic color palette fits the tone of the game beautifully. However, technically speaking, it isn’t the most visually impressive game. Some character models and animations can feel stiff at times, which slightly takes away from the immersion. Performance-wise, there are occasional frame drops and minor graphical glitches, though nothing game-breaking.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Audio - 8/10

The music selection is fantastic, perfectly capturing the tone of both the past and present timelines. The voice acting is another highlight, as the performances breathe life into the characters, making their relationships feel all the more authentic. However, some dialogue lines, particularly in the teenage timeline, lean into cringey territory—though this can also be seen as part of the charm.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Value for Money - 8/10

For $39.99, the game offers a solid amount of content, with plenty of choices that add to replayability. The emotional depth and multiple relationship dynamics encourage players to go back and see how different interactions unfold. However, its relatively slow pace and lack of gameplay diversity might make some players feel like they aren’t getting enough out of the experience, especially compared to more mechanically rich narrative-driven games. Still, for those who love immersive storytelling, it’s absolutely worth the investment.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Review: Rewind, Reminisce, Repeat

There are some games that feel like coming home. The moment Lost Records: Bloom & Rage started, I knew I was back in familiar, cherished territory. It perfectly captures the magic that made Life is Strange my first love in episodic narrative gaming—the nostalgia, the bittersweet longing, the weight of time pressing down on friendships that once felt unbreakable. But where Bloom & Rage carves its own identity is in how it shifts between past and present, seamlessly blending two timelines—1995, when our characters were teenagers, and 2022, where the ghosts of that summer still linger. The past plays out in third-person, immersing us in the golden haze of youth, while the present tightens its grip in first-person, locking us into the perspective of Swann as she unravels a mystery she barely remembers being part of.

It’s this dual perspective that immediately sets the tone. The nostalgic warmth of summer adventures is constantly overshadowed by an unsettling undercurrent, something happened that year, something that changed everything. The game doesn’t just let us relive the past; it forces us to reconcile it with the present.

Recording Mechanics

But before I get completely lost in the story (which, let’s be real, is inevitable), let’s talk mechanics—because Lost Records is not just about experiencing a narrative, but recording it, quite literally. Swann carries a tape recorder, an essential tool that serves multiple purposes: it guides her through the story, offers supernatural perspectives that reveal hidden truths, and, most importantly, becomes a time capsule of her life. Certain moments can be recorded, piecing together into memoirs that we can later edit—rearrange clips, swap out pieces, shaping our own version of the past. It’s an incredibly fitting mechanic for a game so deeply rooted in memory and perspective.

However, this mechanic isn't just about documentation, it influences how we see the world through Swann’s eyes. The order of clips and the details we choose to highlight shape how Swann processes her own past, and in turn, how we, the players, connect with her experience. It adds an unexpected layer of interaction, making memory itself feel tangible and malleable.

Dialogue Choices and Relationship Building

Because this is a narrative-heavy game, dialogue choices play a significant role, though perhaps not in the way they do in other Don't Nod titles. These events have already happened—we’re not rewriting history, just choosing how it played out. The weight of our choices is felt more in relationships than in the larger plot.

Swann is joined by her three best friends: Kat, sharp-tongued and headstrong; Nora, effortlessly cool and magnetic; and Autumn, the reliable and nurturing presence. Every interaction with them influences our connection, gaining or losing hearts based on our responses. By the end of Chapter 1, our relationships are solidified into one of four states: "we’re cool," "new friends," "BFFs," or "something more." In the present, their adult selves can either be "former friends," "reacquainted," or "reconnected." It’s a system that subtly tracks the emotional undercurrents of the story without feeling game-y or intrusive.

What makes this system particularly compelling is how it extends beyond mere stats. Conversations feel natural, and the chemistry between characters is palpable. The changes in relationship status don’t just alter a few lines of dialogue—they influence the emotional weight of the story, making even small choices feel significant. It’s not about changing fate, but about understanding how relationships shift and evolve over time.

Puzzles and Environmental Exploration

Beyond dialogue, Lost Records incorporates light puzzle-solving and exploration to keep the player engaged. The puzzles themselves are not overly challenging—there are hints conveniently placed nearby—but they serve as an extension of the environmental storytelling, subtly guiding you through Swann’s journey. The game encourages players to interact with their surroundings, using environmental storytelling to enhance immersion.

As part of this journey, Swann is preparing to leave town at the end of summer, and her environment reflects this transition. Her room is messy, scattered with the remnants of a life about to change. Searching through her belongings becomes a mechanic in itself, requiring players to rummage through old keepsakes, bribe the cat with treats to clear a path, or gather books for friends. These small moments reinforce the game’s themes of revisiting and reinterpreting memories while also integrating light puzzle-solving elements. Many of these puzzles rely on paying attention to the environment, further strengthening the sense of immersion.

But at its core, Lost Records is about recording life. Recording our friends. Recording the fleeting summer days that, in the moment, feel like they’ll last forever. And, ultimately, recording the things we’d rather forget.

Cinematic Presentation and Music

One of the most striking additions to Don't Nod’s formula is the use of montage sequences. They’re cinematic, poetic, and add an entirely new layer of immersion. And, as always, the music is perfectly curated. While it didn’t hit me with the same emotional wrecking ball that Syd Matters’ Obstacles in the first Life is Strange did (which had me staring dramatically into the horizon for days), the lo-fi, punk rock vibe of Bloom & Rage is an impeccable fit. It’s another reminder that Don't Nod knows exactly how to soundtrack a story.

And yes, there are the cringey teenage lines we’ve come to expect, but here’s the thing—the delivery makes them work. The high school versions of these characters have their fair share of awkward, melodramatic moments, but their adult counterparts are so much more grounded, adding a stark (and effective) contrast.

Supernatural and Horror Elements

Another surprising aspect of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is its ability to subtly weave in horror elements. While the game is primarily a nostalgic, coming-of-age mystery, there are moments where it leans into an eerie, almost unsettling atmosphere. Take, for instance, the scene at the abandoned cabin. For the first few minutes, Swann is completely alone, and the tension is palpable. The setting feels like something out of a horror movie—dust-covered furniture, strange symbols, and an unsettling silence that makes you wonder if something is watching. It feels like stepping into a place once owned by a cult, where something far bigger than just teenage secrets lurks beneath the surface. These moments aren’t frequent, but they add a layer of unease that makes the mystery all the more compelling.

Then there’s the supernatural aspect of the game. Unlike many narratives where the protagonist is "chosen" or possesses innate powers, Lost Records takes a different approach. The group doesn’t suddenly gain magical abilities—rather, they come into contact with something other. A higher entity that doesn’t simply grant them power, but interacts with them in ways they don’t fully understand. This makes the supernatural elements feel less like a convenient plot device and more like an ominous, looming presence tied to the core mystery of that summer.

Nuanced Antagonists

Another strength of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is that its so-called "bad guys" aren’t just villains for the sake of being villains. The game refuses to paint characters in black and white; instead, it presents antagonists with depth, motivations, and justifications that, while not excusing their actions, at least make them understandable. You see where they’re coming from, and you will sympathize with them.

This nuance makes every interaction feel more grounded. There are no over-the-top, power-hungry masterminds here—just people shaped by their circumstances, by the same events that fractured our protagonists' friendships. And when the game finally reveals why things unfolded the way they did, it isn’t just a simple case of good versus evil. It’s about choices, consequences, and how everyone involved is grappling with the ghosts of their secrets.

Unraveling the Mystery

And now, we come to the crux of it all: the story. The thing Bloom & Rage absolutely nails. The slow pace might not be for everyone, but personally? I wouldn’t have it any other way. It takes its time, allowing us to sink into the warmth of this friend group, to see the small ways they hold each other together. The back-and-forth between past and present starts off a little jarring, but eventually, it finds its rhythm—one moment we’re reminiscing with the adult versions of these characters and the next, we’re living those memories firsthand.

The game begins with Swann’s adult self arriving in her hometown, Velvet Cove, talking to her mother over the phone. A reunion is on the horizon, but not a joyous one—someone is targeting them. But why? What happened all those years ago?

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage wears the disguise of a nostalgic coming-of-age story, but at its core, it’s a mystery. It’s not just about the bonds forged that summer in ‘95, but about the event that tore them apart. What happened that made them swear never to speak again? And why have they forgotten so much of that summer?

You’d think I’d have all the answers after finishing Tape 1, right? Well—yes and no. What it gave me, more than anything, was a sense of what was coming.

Replayability and Player Choice

So, have I played Bloom & Rage over and over again, hoping to uncover something new? Of course. With the sheer number of choices, even small ones that tweak how we arrive at the same conclusion, there’s plenty of reason to revisit. Don’t expect a grand butterfly effect, but keep an eye out for moths.

Ultimately, this game reminded me why I fell in love with Don't Nod titles in the first place. Like Life is Strange, its heart beats in the relationships we build, the friendships that shape our journey. Bloom & Rage is even more compelling for me because of the absence of the "chosen one" trope. The supernatural elements don’t exist just for the sake of a gifted protagonist—they manifest because of the choices we made. Because of what we did.

And now, with Tape 2 waiting just around the corner in April, I can’t wait to dive back in. Don't Nod, once again, you’ve got me hooked.

Is Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Worth It?

If You Loved Life is Strange, Don’t Miss This

So, after everything we’ve explored—its narrative, its mechanics, its nostalgic heart—where does Lost Records: Bloom & Rage stand? This game isn’t just about uncovering a mystery; it’s about immersing yourself in the past, feeling the weight of memories both cherished and painful. If you’re someone who values character-driven storytelling, where the smallest choices influence relationships and emotions rather than plot-altering consequences, then this game is absolutely for you.

However, if you’re expecting major twists with sprawling gameplay variety, you might not find that here. Lost Records prioritizes atmosphere and emotions over complexity. The slower pace may not appeal to everyone, but for those willing to embrace it, the experience is deeply rewarding. With its engaging dialogue, beautifully crafted world, and emotional depth, this game solidifies Don't Nod’s reputation as master storytellers.

Digital Storefronts
Steam		PS Store		Xbox
Price		$39.99

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage FAQ

Is There Animal Symbolism in Bloom & Rage?

Yes, look out for moths. While moths represent rebirth, they are also widely known to symbolize death. Ultimately, in the game, they serve as guides, flying toward the light during dark moments.

Are Bloom & Rage Tapes 1 and 2 Separate Purchases?

No, if you buy Tape 1, Tape 2 will be available to you when it releases in April. If you choose to wait until Tape 2 releases and purchase it in April, Tape 1 will also be included.

Game8 Reviews

You may also like...

	Avowed Review ARPG
	Afterlove EP Review Visual Novel, Dating Sim
	Life is Strange: Double Exposure Review Adventure
	Phoenix Springs Review Mystery, Point-and-Click, Puzzle
	Spiral Game Review Story-driven, Walking Simulator, Emotional

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Product Information

Title	LOST RECORDS: BLOOM & RAGE
Release Date	February 18, 2025 (Tape 1), April 15, 2025 (Tape 2)
Developer	DON’T NOD
Publisher	DON’T NOD
Supported Platforms	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
Genre	Adventure, Story-Driven
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	M
Official Website	Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Website

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.