Lost Records: Bloom and Rage Preview
When it comes to narratives, coming-of-age stories are almost always compelling. After all, we’ve all been through the traumas and triumphs of adolescence, a journey from which no one escapes entirely unscathed. Add to that a mystery element and you have a winning story structure. The upcoming Lost Records: Bloom and Rage has a solid story foundation on which it builds a strong and engaging character-focused game.
It shouldn’t be surprising. Developer Don’t Nod is made up of veterans from the Life is Strange franchise. Those games were justifiably lauded for their believable, engaging characters and depth of emotion and drama. The studio is hoping that Bloom and Rage — which is being released in two parts — establishes a new world from which to draw.
Be Kind, Rewind
I recently had the opportunity to play a short section of Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. I wouldn’t dream of spoiling the story. For one thing, it’s a character study and mystery, genres in which discovery and surprise are critical. Also, I really don’t know what ultimately happens. What I played just teased the larger story arc.
But I can tell you some things. Bloom and Rage focuses on two timelines, 2022 and 1995, and a quartet of friends. Unlike the Life Is Strange games, you play as one character, Nora. After 27 years of estrangement, Nora and the three other women reunite. There are two huge mysteries to explore. What happened in 1995 that destroyed the fabric of their close friendship? And what has brought them back together? The premise sounds like it has Stand by Me vibes. Probably without a dead body.
The main character is Nora Swann, a girl in 1995 just starting to navigate her way through high school and self-discovery. Set in the fictional town of Velvet Cove, Michigan, Nora is an introvert, partly by preference and in part by her not quite yet finding her tribe. Nora is decidedly creative and has a rich inner life. She writes expressive prose in her journal and has an artistic flair. She loves movies, too. Her room is littered with VCR rental tapes that are seriously late.
Through a Lens, Darkly
Nora’s primary way of seeing the world is through the lens of her camcorder, the “best birthday present ever.” Nora’s camcorder is one of Bloom and Rage’s most important gameplay mechanics. The short movies Nora creates help chronicle her life and her friendships. They play a crucial role in telling the story. In the first long gameplay sequence, movies and Nora’s camera are our introduction to her world.
Nora is an awkward, somewhat lonely girl who loves nature and her pets, and has come to appreciate solitude. Still, she yearns for inclusion and to find her identity. After Nora and her friends rescue a girl named Swann from harassment from a bully, Swann gets invited to hang out. The trio of friends — Autumn, Nora and Kat — are happily jamming, garage band style. Nora suddenly finds her tribe of creative, quirky, cool, and accepting girls. The story has kicked into gear.
Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is best described as a point-and-click third-person adventure game. A lot of the story is in the details and detritus. Bloom and Rage definitely gets the 1990s right, from the music on the cassettes to the snacks, clothing, and cultural references. Just like in Life and Strange, the developers show mastery of their characters. The girls are absolutely authentic to the time period and the stage of life when uncertain identity is a feature, not a bug. While the story and characters no doubt go to a darker place, the quartet is an interesting and appealing group of friends. The game’s writing and voice acting are excellent, too.
A Promising Start
Although the alpha version I played had quite a bit of missing content and some rough technical edges, it excited me for what’s to come. By their nature, point-and-click adventures have some pacing challenges, but Lost Records: Bloom and Rage kept the momentum going pretty well.
The team at Don’t Nod obviously know how to make character-driven games with a lot of emotional resonance and depth. Lost Records: Bloom and Rage absolutely looks to be on track to engage, surprise, and move gamers when the first part releases. I can’t wait.
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