Done With #17: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

The Nerd & The Blue Haired Lesbians

When I was still a teenager trying to figure my shit out, especially with my sexuality and gender, I got the chance to get my hands on at the time a relatively hyped episodic, coming of age video game for free for four hours. No one ever mentioned that this dang game would come with some of the worst lip syncing to ever be in gaming, but there’s no denying that this small title from a small French studio wasn’t charming. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say Life Is Strange changed my life for the better. Not only did it help me warm up to the idea of queer relationships (I was not a bigot, but it made me become an ally definitely), but it told me so many possibilities of what I could become. It influenced my taste in music, my taste in movies, helped me grow as a person and is all around still one of my favourite games of all time.

It also makes me fall in love with the small French studio that seems to be on the verge of bankruptcy every other year, Don’t Nod. I try to make sure to check out all their efforts ever since, be it the next game in the anthology, Life is Strange 2, that got me crying for a few days afterward, or the spiritual successor (after parting ways with Square Enix, big mistake SE) Tell Me Why. Hell, these guys are so talented that they also made a pretty great vampire RPG game. It’s just the lip syncing and the technical issues that never really disappear, really leaning into that European jank at times be it due to budgeting or time constraints. Regardless though, they know how to make this girl cry, and they know how to tell a touching story. Well, multiple touching stories.

Going Back to the Root

With Deck 9’s original game to the anthology (True Colors) and the incredibly disappointing direct sequel to the original, Life is Strange was declared dead by both the fanbase and Square Enix themselves who recently pulled the plug on the project as shown in the recent financial report. Who would have thought banking on nostalgia and turning a teenage angst story into an MCU style superhero anthology is a bad idea, huh? I mean I’m joking about it but it really does hurt to see something so impactful to me turned into what it is today like that. Greed sucks, but what’s worse is people who don’t respect the essence and the spirit of the original works and trash it completely. It doesn’t help that the past few years had not been kind to interactive and episode adventure games, with studios shutting down left and right and games being critically panned. However, that’s a discussion for another day.

Amidst this debacle and disappointment from LiS fans and the dying art form, there’s still a shining beacon from that small French studio. Don’t Nod was relentlessly promoting an original IP that is nothing short of a spiritual successor to Life is Strange. It’s not surprising to see people spamming “LIFE IS STRANGE” during Lost Records: Bloom & Rage reveal at the Summer Game Fest, and they meant that in an incredibly endearing way. When all hope is lost, Don’t Nod comes back with another game for the nerd girlies. The vibes were just right, the lesbians are there and the supernatural elements that were shown made me feel like I was 18 seeing LiS again for the first time. They really knocked it out of the park with those trailers.

After the months-long wait and other games that I need to catch up with, I finally got to meet with my long lost buddy in their best form. With the story that’s tighter than ever with its pacing, the music choices that are always on point, and ten times the sadness because DANG this game is SAD, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, despite its flaws, is easily one of the best interactive adventure in the market to date and a must play of 2025.

Riot Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrl!!!!!

At the first glance, Lost Records is not a game that doesn’t seem to have a lot of depth to it. It’s a reunion story with four punk kids from the riot grrrls scene reuniting after 27 years, going down the memory lane and reminiscing the summer of 1995 with old rock music playing. What is rather strange though is that despite the fact they are super BFFs, they made a promise to never see each other again. On top of that, it seems like they forgot what happened that summer or why they made that said promise in the first place. Weird stuff, huh?

It’s pretty obvious with the set up that this is going to be a huge tearjerker once they remember what happened, and it definitely is. What’s awesome is it is in a way that you wouldn’t think it’d play out. The game’s narrative, while not complex, is rather unpredictable but nothing ever feels like it’s out of the left field. It’s also some of the funniest games I’ve played in a hot minute. It’s incredibly entertaining watching four teenagers acting their age and being absolute goofballs, making this tragic tale even more bittersweet by the end.

The four main cast are absolutely lovely (and also must be protected at all cost). While they’re all punk girls, Don’t Nod did an amazing job distinguishing their personalities, interests and their struggles without stereotyping them very well. They feel incredibly human, and I can understand their literal “bloom” (growth) and their “rage” (justified).

I present you the four members of Bloom & Rage (the band):

• Swann - The protagonist of the game and the girl you’re playing as. A shy, nerdy girl who loves movies and fantasy books. While a subject of bullying, she never backs down and continues doing what she loves. The camerawoman and drummer (sorta) of Bloom & Rage.
• Nora - The stereotypical punk girl on the surface. Incredibly funny and flirty, gets a bit rowdy. However, she has a heart of gold and is incredibly talented at guitar. Guitarist of Bloom & Rage.
• Autumn - The cool skater of the gang and the elder sister figure (despite being the youngest). A bit jumpy at times, but she’s every girl’s bestie. The bassist of Bloom & Rage.
• Kat - The angry, snarky little lady. Ready to fight at any time. Is a poet and is the writer for the band. Also, literally the best character in the game.

What I really love about Bloom & Rage is that I learned all this from observing their behaviours and actions. The game did an amazing job with show and tell, be it the way they dress, the things they bring along with them, the subtle motions they make in dialogues or the banters they do in this game. These banters in particular are done particularly well. You, as Swann, will get to participate in multiple ambient dialogue that enhance both the story and the characters of the gang. The game also continues the trend I’ve been seeing a lot lately, which is to let characters talk at the same time. This could be continuing jokes, arguments or even mundane things people say just like real life. It makes them feel even more real than they already do.

As you may have seen in this trailer, or if you’re familiar with Don’t Nod at all, you’d know that this game would contain supernatural elements. You’d also know that some of these plot threads are left open ended on purpose, as they are usually not the main plot of the game but are used to move the plot along or to encourage fan theories as they’ve said multiple times for their past game and this game as well. This might be a con for many, and while the game does give answers to many questions, it’s good to know going into the experience that not everything would be answered and it could be a con for you. As for me, someone who loves talking about these cryptid theories on the internet with LiS fans, it’s perfect the way it is.

Lights, Camera, Action

As the band’s main camera woman, you will be taking videos. A lot of them.

The game’s main collectible is the camcorder mechanic that allows you to take videos of whatever is happening in game with objects of interest. Once you’ve filmed enough, you will be able to edit these “Memoirs” and make a short clip of them. It’s a well thought out system that is also used in storytelling, as Swann would make comments on the completed Memoirs, adding more fluff and lore to the setting and the relationship between Swann and her crew.

However, if you miss these, it’s not a big deal either. Don’t Nod implemented a “collectible mode” that allows you to load up the map that you’re missing these collectibles pretty easily. It’s convenient, it’s fun, and it adds so much to the overall experience.

Another big highlight for me that really helps bring these characters is the expansion to the object inspection system. Of course, just like many other games, you can pick items up to read and rotate around. However, Lost Records put a lot of lore into these items as they refer to what the girls are up to in those said scenes, give more context about what’s going on in the story, or even foreshadow huge plot points. There are multiple examples that I want to bring up, but it would end up spoiling the experience. I really encourage checking these out if you ever try this game out.

The Justified Rage

Just a warning for anyone who is interested up to this point that this game has a lot of themes that deal with domestic abuse, bullying and loads of trauma bonding between characters. They’re done superbly well, with a lot of respect to victims of these circumstances. Don’t Nod really used the power of friendship and the “pureness” of these teenagers to shine some light to these rather difficult topic to not only help them heal, but to help those who may suffer at home too in a way. It feels like getting warm hugs with a lot of these scenes. The topic itself never becomes “lighter”, but the love the bandmates show each other just warms my heart.

Also if you get migraines from crying, this is a horrible title to play. Trust me. 😭

Awh, shucks

This game sadly isn’t flawless, and some of these flaws are quite annoying.

First of all, Don’t Nod is so consistent. Good thing? Sure. Until you remember that their bugs and technical shortcomings are also very consistent. This game still has some of the most hilarious lip syncing in some scenes that are too hard not to notice. It’s 2025 already, not 2015, please Don’t Nod get this right already!!!

Another thing that’s pretty disappointing, but at least it’s a new problem that comes with a new system, is that at times the characters will struggle to keep up with the queued dialogues. As they can talk at any given time to you, emulating the “real people” sense while you’re wandering around the scene, these dialogues seem to queue up on them and if you don’t let them all play out, the characters will start doing some weird animations at times. This is not the worst issue ever, but there were times it’d happen in a very sad scene and it really takes me out.

Regardless, quite annoying that Don't Nod still don't get it right after years you know? DANG IT DON'T NOD YOU RASCALS!

See You In Hell!!!

Finishing Lost Records is like finishing an amazing coming of age film. Reminds me of the time I watched Stand By Me or Submarine. Despite entering my 30s very soon, seeing angsty teenagers being angsty teenagers really reminds me of myself and my younger years. Not many games or stories do a great job selling a group of besties that make you laugh with them, cheer for them and cry with them as if you’re a part of them. This game manages to nail it.

Even with its technical shortcomings and some unanswered questions (I’m sort of used to this type of narrative by them at this point), Lost Records is going to leave a lasting impact on me. I love this game and it really speaks to me, and I really do hope more people give it a go.