In 2015, Don't Nod redefined interactive drama with *Life is Strange*, a captivating tale of everyday moments, enduring friendship, and the passage of time. Players cherished its detail, the ability to explore and impact its world. Subsequent games explored different genres, but none recaptured that initial magic. Years later, Don't Nod returns to its roots with *Lost Records*, a coming-of-age story that transcends interactive cinema; it's a nostalgic ode to carefree youth. With its evocative atmosphere, memorable characters, and impactful choices, it captivates from start to finish.
Table of Contents
- Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years
- Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships
- Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters
- A Town Worth Dreaming About
- Slow-Paced Plot: The Defining Feature of the Story
Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years
At the heart of Lost Records lies the story of four women whose friendship fractured 27 years prior. Swan Holloway returns to her hometown, Velvet Bay, for a reunion, only to discover a mysterious package from their shared past. A forest, an abandoned house, and long-buried secrets resurface, bringing forgotten memories to life. This is the essence of Bloom & Rage: a summer dream revisited.
The narrative unfolds across two timelines: 1995, a time of vibrant youth, and 2022, where the now-forty-something women grapple with the awkwardness of their fractured past. Even the camera perspective shifts to first-person, emphasizing this temporal contrast. However, much of the gameplay takes place in the nostalgic 1995 setting, where players explore locations, build relationships, and document events with a vintage HVS camera.
Video recording is a core mechanic. Like Max in Life is Strange, Swan films graffiti, wildlife, people, and even paranormal phenomena. This footage, organized thematically in a separate menu, can be edited into short films, with Swan providing commentary. While these documentaries enhance the experience, they don't directly impact the main storyline.
Player choices shape the narrative, influencing both major and minor events. Currently, long-term consequences are limited due to the game's episodic nature and the deliberate pacing of its narrative.
Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships
Lost Records delights with its interactivity and attention to detail, hallmarks of Don't Nod's work. For instance, Swan might mention wanting ice cream from a passing truck. Choosing to buy it or not impacts subsequent conversations. Delaying the purchase results in the truck leaving, altering interactions with other characters.
The dynamic world adds to the game's charm. Dialogues unfold in real-time, reminiscent of Oxenfree and Telltale games, with characters interrupting each other and offering silence as a valid option. Building relationships is also a form of choice; players aren't obligated to seek everyone's approval. Swan's shyness allows for a nuanced approach to connection.
Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters
Don't Nod has crafted authentic characters: loud, sometimes clumsy in their youthful idealism, yet deeply sincere. Swan is a relatable 16-year-old, self-conscious and hiding behind her camera. While reminiscent of Max Caulfield, she avoids feeling like a mere retread.
Her friends—Ottem, Kate, and Nora—embody familiar archetypes but transcend them. Nora, the punk with American dreams, reveals surprising caution, while the passionate writer, Kate, encourages bolder actions. Ottem appreciates thoughtful individuals. The group dynamic evokes the feeling of teenage self-assuredness, regardless of the player's age. Lost Records is a journey through time and the spirit of the '90s.
A Town Worth Dreaming About
Nostalgia saturates every aspect, particularly Swan's room, filled with artifacts of the era: a bulky TV, floppy disks, Tamagotchis, and more—a treasure trove for millennials. The game is filled with pop culture references: Sabrina, The X-Files, Tank Girl, The Goonies, and many more films, games, books, and music. The plot's 27-year gap even subtly references Stephen King's It.
The soundtrack is a highlight, featuring dream-pop and indie-rock that perfectly complements the atmosphere. Velvet Bay itself becomes an exemplary sleepy American town, cozy by day and chilling by night, its mysteries unfolding with each exploration.
Slow-Paced Plot: The Defining Feature of the Story
The deliberate pacing may surprise those expecting a fast-paced mystery. Unlike Life is Strange, the focus is on character development and atmosphere before the mystery unfolds. This slower burn might not appeal to all, but it works well within the context of the game. The tension builds towards a powerful cliffhanger at the end of the first episode, leaving players eager for the next installment, due April 15th. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a game that understands its audience and delivers a compelling narrative with relatable characters and engaging interactions. Its lasting impact will be determined by the upcoming second part.
