When I first booted up Tape 1 of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Dontnod Montreal’s latest entry into Dontnod’s already stellar catalog, my expectations were a little high. These types of narrative experiences, essentially Choose Your Own Adventure movies, hit really well for me. I had always planned on it touching me, reaching into my soul and reminding me that for the duration of this story, my mood and general well-being would be in their hands. In Tape 1, I felt comforted by the fact that the brilliant minds at Dontnod were holding my very being in their hands, but by the end of Tape 2, I didn’t want them to give it back.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
Developer: DON’T NOD
Price: $40
Platforms: PlayStation 4/5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, and PC
A PlayStation 5 code was provided by the publisher
We’re back with Swann, Autumn, and Nora sitting together at the Blue Spruce bar, preparing to open the box that had been sent to Autumn recently. Neither Autumn nor Nora were excited at the prospect of opening this box, the contents within, or even remembering that summer. We looked into each other’s eyes and questioned whether or not it was even worth opening. It’s not entirely clear in Tape 1 who the box is from, but by Tape 2, we understand that the box is from Kat, the fourth friend. During Tape 1, we’re left wondering when Kat is going to show up to this hapless reunion, and now we know the answer. Nora decides she needs a smoke and steps outside, and Autumn gives me an even stare.
My heart drops as Autumn reveals how alone she felt that summer after bringing Kat and Swann into their friendship. I fucked up. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has this lovely little animation showing a seed sprouting, a heart breaking, or a heart growing depending on the way you react, the questions you ask, just the things you say in general. Words have meaning, no matter how often your mean uncle says they’re just joking. But as Autumn explained exactly how she felt that summer, to Swann, I was heartbroken.
I love Autumn. Every group needs an Autumn, a level-headed kid who genuinely has everyone’s best interests at heart. Autumn truly cared about all of us, she’s thoughtful and understanding, qualities you’d expect and desire out of a good leader. And I let her down. I realized throughout my playthrough that those hearts and seeds growing were happening A LOT, with everyone, except for Autumn. I was playing out this chaotic girl fantasy of listening to and playing punk rock, smoking weed, and just hanging out in an abandoned cabin in the woods. It ruled. But I wasn’t just ignoring one of the most important people in my life, I was actively shutting them out.
As I continued playing, I did something I actively avoid doing during first playthroughs of narrative-driven games. When speaking with Autumn, I would try to find ways to get that big, growing heart. I had swung too hard in the other direction, though, and time after time I was letting Autumn down. I just couldn’t right the ship and was beginning to drown.
Everything was going well with Kat and Nora. They were my besties, I was having lovely moments with them. My gal pals and I were living large. We were determined to make this the best summer ever. Swann’s best summer ever. But the holes were already made, water was filtering in, and we were already drowning. I just couldn’t admit it.
I’m extremely pleased with how Lost Records: Bloom & Rage – Tape 2 shakes out. I think I can do better and maybe that’s a reason for a second playthrough. But I felt both joy and sorrow as the end credits began to roll. I hope that this isn’t the end of Swann, Kat, Autumn, and Nora’s story but even if it is, I think it was a satisfying one. One that I’m so unbelievably glad to have experienced.
I am consistently impressed with what Dontnod can accomplish. It’d be easy to throw in the towel and shove out garbage after losing Life is Strange. It’d be difficult to come out swinging after that, but to come out with something just as good, if not BETTER, than the original work. I’m extremely impressed.
Giving Autumn some space, Swann goes to visit Nora. Having romanced Nora, it was a lovely conversation about what we did together in the latter half of that summer. Nora was in Los Angeles visiting her mother, the fashionista had returned with gifts. I felt my heart ache as Nora realized she forgot to bring a gift back for Autumn. Reminding myself it’s just a game, I was able to continue on, but I felt like I had really let this girl down.
Through all the wonderful moments together, the four outcast girls living in rural Michigan during this moment in their lives. The summer when you’re sixteen, what a fucking time, man. Hanging out at the beach, the hideout in the woods, bloody mary in the outhouse, finding the abyss, playing a parking lot concert, and recording all of it with a handycam. I felt like I lived an extra life, even in the short playtime of both games. I let Autumn down. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me from loving the best summer ever.
The Final Word
In the deep well of narrative-driven adventure games, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a beacon of shining light that can never be snuffed out. Thank you for this.
MonsterVine Rating: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
