Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Part One: A stunning 90s throwback with teething troubles
Is Don’t Nod’s new narrative adventure good enough to jump into, or does it leave players hanging? Let’s get into the juicy bit of the punk rock coming-of-age tale, says this; part one.
A Nostalgic Grounded With Punk Rock Heart
Visualize this: It is 1995. You are a shy teenager named Swann, tucking yourself into the sun-soaked streets of Velvet Cove, Michigan, alongside three rebellious friends-Nora, Autumn, and Kat. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Part One, simply "Bloom," bleeds 90s nostalgia, marrying the grungy punk aesthetics with a bittersweet chaos of teenage life. The graphics are where the game truly shines-faded Polaroid hues, yourself-it’d-be-a-competition-for-henna art and riot grrl anthems blasting in the background (honoring Nora Kelly Band's searing tracks).
But what becomes really interesting? The timelines that have two sides; switching between Swann’s adolescent summer during ’95 and her adult life in 2022, while they uncover why these once inseparable friends reunited after decades. The ’95 segments are dripping with youthful energy-skating, mixtape recordings, and late-night campfires-while the 2022 timeline douses the mystery of what secrets have remained buried for years of silence.
Gameplay: The Sounds of Silence
Life is Strange fans should feel right at home. The choices of dialogue influence the relationships, but Bloom adds a nice little twist: silence. Shutter up during a chat and observe, hence enriching whatever dynamics are in play just without the need for awkward, unwarranted talk. Want to avoid an argument? Lean back and let everything transpire. It's a nice breathe of fresh air that rewards patience, especially if it's used for peeling the layers back on Swann's background.
The decisions you make in Bloom undoubtedly seem like setups for what we will see in part two, Rage. While some fleeting moments-a character defending a friend or a close dodge have an emotional punch-they don't yet have the weight already seen in earlier works from Don't Nod. You might have to wait until April for the reward.
Storytelling Stumbles in Part One
Bloom is all setup. The connection between the two girls is adorable (if slightly cliched) and their adventures-a rebellious escape, the solitude of old and ignored buildings, and blasting punk rock-beautifully capture that us-against-the-world feeling. It rides this wave, and just when the story gets juicy with juicy conflicts-how about a family secret, subtle notions of betrayal-it suddenly pivots to introduce yet more drama, leaving earlier threads dangling and unresolved.
Swann herself is just another one of those missed opportunities. Whereas other characters are evolving and changing throughout the overture, she remains static across both timelines-a case where the vast expansiveness and lushness of the world specially built by the game invariably overshadow her personality. By the closing credits, I had more questions than will be answered-which is a painful experience given the two-month wait until Rage.
To Play or Not to Play?
Bloom is a mixed bag. One side is breathtakingly beautiful; with a killer soundtrack, it boasts beautiful moments of tenderness. The other side-its story is half a tale, giving greater importance to mystery than emotional payoff. If you're a Don't Nod person, you will love their signature style and great dialogue. Otherwise, casual players may well want to wait for Rage to drop before binging both halves together.
Score: 3 out of 5: A beautiful bumpy start. Crossing fingers that Rage brings the heat.
Quick Facts
- Release Date: February 18, 2025
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Part Two: Rage. Will arrive on April 15, 2025
- Perfect For: Fans of the Life is Strange series, 90's nostalgics, and long-suffering storytellers.
So, what do you think? Will you play Bloom & Rage, or wait for the full story?
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