Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 Combines Nostalgia and Mystery in Promising Start

Don’t Nod’s latest game introduces a heartfelt exploration of friendship, set across two timelines, with a slow-paced first chapter that sets the stage for its April conclusion.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is the first half of a two-part narrative game by Don’t Nod, creators of Life Is Strange, blending a 1990s coming-of-age story with a present-day mystery.
The game follows protagonist Swann and her friend group, exploring their bond as teenagers in the 90s and their strained reunion decades later, prompted by an ominous box tied to their past.
Critics praised the nostalgic 90s setting, rich character development, and authentic writing, though the slow pacing and unresolved mysteries leave much riding on the second installment.
Gameplay features include narrative choices shaping character relationships and a camcorder mechanic for recording and editing scenes, though the latter has been described as occasionally tedious.
The second and final chapter is set to release on April 15, with anticipation high for how the story’s darker elements and unanswered questions will be resolved.