Lost Records: Bloom & RageTape 2drops you straight into the story with next to no recap on what has happened before. It has been months since the first part, so you may have forgotten major parts of the storyline. It would have been great to get a cutscene of the band’s past adventures, like each Life is Strange episode did back in the day. Once you get further into the plot, however, you’ll begin to remember major elements of the narrative. This is obviously not going to be an issue for those who play both parts simultaneously from now on.
A Dramatic Storyline and Your Choices Matter
Players are placed in a situation in which all four friends have grown apart after it’s revealed that Kat has a major health issue. Swann begins to clean up the mess from the previous night, in which the band Bloom & Rage played in front of an unruly crowd at the local bar. Some of your decisions crop up, like taking blame for what occurred and deciding to break the lock. It’s neat how Don’t Nod propels the story forward and references your past moments.
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The writing is stellar as the story takes twists and turns and has you invested in Swann’s relationship with her friends. Depending on what dialogue choices you make, some characters may not even be involved in future events, which was not evident inLife is Strange: Double Exposureand other recent games of the genre. The performances by the actors are also fantastic. You can hear the pain in their voices, the panic in Swann’s speech and the quivering fear that returns within the future versions of these characters as they retread their hollow, mysterious past.
The storyline and climax builds as Tape 2 continues, adding suspense. The ending is fantastic as it takes on more of a supernatural element. Without spoiling anything, the payoff from the mysterious storyline works immensely.
That’s not to say there aren’t issues with the narrative, though. Autumn is written strangely in the second part. At one point in the game, she seems disinterested in getting back into the group, and yet she appears once again without rhyme or reason. The revenge plot that one of the characters has as well seems abrupt as well and feels jarring, despite paying off at the end.
Despite plot holes that needed to be filled, that friendship between the characters that was present in the first game is still charming. These teenagers sound natural and you truly feel that they deeply care about each of the group members, even if they have differences of opinion. It’s not surprising, however, because Don’t Nod has a knack of creating meaningful bonds between the main characters of its games.
The writing is stellar as the story takes twists and turns and has you invested in Swann’s relationship with her friends. Depending on what dialogue choices you make, some characters may not even be involved in future events
Something else that feels right aboutLost Records: Bloom & Rageis that you somehow feel nostalgic about the summer these kids are having. Because of the release gap betweenTape 1and Tape 2, it does truly feel like you’re looking back in the past as you recap the clips you’ve made. Without spoiling how the game ends, it does a great job of using the footage you have created.
Additionally, the ending is satisfactory, unlike the last Life is Strange game. When you finally open the box, it’ll be worth all the build-up of waiting what’s inside. It also has an intriguing teaser as to what’s to come in the future from Don’t Nod Montreal.
Gameplay Takes a Backseat
Tape 2 feels less gameplay heavy than Tape 1, going for more conversations over exploration gameplay. If you’ve recorded many of the clips with your camcorder you can find as collectibles, you may be disappointed to know there’s a lack of them here. There are also a lack of new areas in Tape 2. There are highlights, though. For example, there’s a Polly Pocket-like toy you find in a friend’s room and you’ll need batteries to turn it on. The game rewards you for turning the toy around to find the battery compartment empty. Once the batteries you find are in, you’re treated to a pretty light-up toy. There’s a puzzle section early in the second part, but they come few and far between.
There’s also a weird stealth section in this tape. The gameplay rewinds when you get discovered. Unfortunately, this part feels half-baked and only lasts for a few minutes. It would have been cool to see this more evolved in the final game. To be honest, though, it might be a blessing in disguise as Swann can get spotted even if they’re hiding behind a bush.
Unfortunately, like the first tape, there are graphical issues. When a character is supposed to be emotionally walking away from the scene, they are stepping forward against a wall. Once again, the camera also loses focus on Nora and Autumn while in the future sections of the game, taking you out of the experience. There are also audio issues, such as a song cutting out at a weird time and Swann’s muffled voice while a clip is being played.
Thankfully, the audio and visual issues are softened by the gorgeous soundtrack and wonderful graphics. The licensed music gets you into the headspace of the characters in the scene, and the song that plays towards the end of the game may move you to tears. Chills went down this writer’s spine multiple times with goosebumps all over. The facial animation is once again incredible. you may see the washed-out makeup on the characters' faces and the slight movement in the eyes is immensely detailed. It’s shocking how good this game looks and the environments you’ll see inLost Records: Bloom & Ragetake your breath away.
Closing Comments:
Lost Records: Bloom & Rageis a narrative adventure that won’t be forgotten for a long time. The relationships that all four of these characters form have you invested in the story, while the performances by the actors are top-notch. While there are graphical issues and plot holes that haven’t been filled, this game needs to be experienced, especially if you’re aLife is Strangefan who feels disappointed by Square Enix’s latest entry. It’s a shame the gameplay isn’t as interesting as the first tape, as you find the majority of the collectibles in the first half, but the story will keep you invested with engaging dialogue options, ending with plenty of replayability.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Version Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Rewind back to the 90s and live the defining summer of four high school girls as they forge bonds through their growing friendship, their punk band, and an unexplained event that will forever change their lives.A 27-YEAR PROMISENavigate between dual timelines and shape both narratives – in 1995 and 2022 – with each offering a piece of the larger puzzle: the life-changing secrets they uncovered back then and why they’re reuniting now, after all these years. Together, in this place, they’re forced to try and remember clearly the fateful memories that have eluded them for the past 27 years.CAPTURE & CONNECTConnect with your newfound sisterhood through lifelike interactions and conversations that feel real: engage in immersive dialogue that changes based on where you look and what you say; where you can do things like interrupt and ignore. Grab your camcorder and explore, filming Velvet Cove and capturing the essence of its people, places, and lush nature. Film just for the fun of it or attempt to find the dark secrets tucked away.GIRLS TO THE FRONTPlay as Swann and get to know your new friends, each with their own lives and battles. Come out of your shell and embrace rebellion over the summer as you form friendships with Nora, Autumn, and Kat. Through your actions and words, you’ll shape your relationships with each of them on your journey to self-discovery. Will your bond wither over the years or will it feel like you were barely separated at all?A NOSTALGIC DREAMSCAPEIn a picturesque corner of Michigan in 1995 lies the seemingly sleepy little town of Velvet Cove. Between dense woodlands and serene lakes, it’s a place where beauty meets the bizarre. Cloaked in a carefully crafted dreampop soundtrack that blends nostalgia and ethereal vibes, you’ll definitely find it all nice and relaxing…
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