Lost Records Bloom & Rage Tape 1 Review

Yo its Leo here…

Word up fam Lost Records Bloom & Rage comes straight outta Dont Nod the masterminds behind the OG Life is Strange.

If you dig their previous work youll feel right at home in Velvet Cove Michigan. The small town vibes are strong and the characters?

Straight fire They totally eclipse the main plot. Even though the story takes its sweet time the moment to moment drama and fun will keep you hooked.

The Plots a Drag But the Characters Pop

You play as Swann a teenage girl trying to find herself. Shes kinda quiet and into movies both watching and making them. She rolls solo until she meets some girls who help her ditch a bully. This chance encounter changes everything turning her life upside down.

In 2022 Swanns back in her old stomping grounds because Autumn her homegirl found a mysterious box addressed to their old crew Bloom & Rage.

The women reunite and reminisce about the summer of 95 which becomes a major theme. They all remember their pact to never kick it again but the deets of what went down that summer are hazy. As they retrace their steps you see everything from Swanns perspective jumping between the present and the past.

Swann Nora Autumn and Kat are a dynamic bunch of misfits that many players will relate to. Each girl brings something unique to the table which is the real magic of Lost Records Bloom & Rage. Swanns a nerdy loner who finds her tribe right before shes supposed to bounce to Canada.

Knowing shes leaving the girls try to make the most of their summer playing punk rock finding a secret hideout and chilling together. Swann starts to come out of her shell and find her voice which makes her happy.

The Past is Lit the Present is a Bust

1995 is way more interesting than the present where the women are sitting around in a bar staring at the mysterious package. Even though theyre bugging about whats inside and what it means theyre happy to chill drink and play pool without even addressing the object using it as a way to bring up some mysterious traumatic event.

Even at the end of Tape 1 theres no real hint as to whats in the box or why it matters. By the time the game hits its to be continued moment 2022 feels like an afterthought compared to the events of 1995 making a big chunk of the game feel weak. Its an unbalanced experience that doesnt pay off by the time the credits roll.

Collectibles Make the World Feel Real

Luckily the world feels as rich as its characters. There are references to the 90s everywhere which will be a nostalgic trip for anyone who remembers that era. The collectibles are woven into the game making it a rewarding experience.

Instead of just picking up items you use Swanns camcorder to capture moments in time. Its a blast to walk around soaking in the details and sounds. Lost Records Bloom & Rage is best played with headphones in a quiet place.

Camcorder is the Real MVP

The camcorder itself is also important to the story. You can use it as a flashlight and to see the world from a different angle. When you use it the screen looks grainy with a square ratio making it feel like youre looking through a viewfinder.

If youre playing on PlayStation 5 the DualSense controller even has motion controls that let you mess with the camera. The camcorder lets you step into Swanns shoes seeing the world through her eyes. Dont Nods choice to include it is one of the best parts of the game.

The Supernatural is Kinda Lame

Somethings up in Velvet Cove but Lost Records Bloom & Rage doesnt want to let you in on the secret. At first you might think the supernatural stuff is just the girls imaginations. But some seriously strange things happen that need an explanation.

This is where Lost Records Bloom & Rage gets frustrating because the secret is teased too much. There are no clues to follow making it feel like the characters are keeping something from you even though youre playing as Swann. Curses rock music and blood pacts all hint at a payoff but the wait might lose players who have to pause between parts 1 and 2.

Still Stuck in Life is Stranges Shadow

While Lost Records Bloom & Rages first half tries to create a fresh start and new identity its still struggling to escape the shadow of Life is Strange. Without seeing the whole picture its hard to know if Dont Nod will deliver on the promises made in the first half. Branching choices dont feel important yet and dialogue options dont seem to have real consequences.

Ultimately Lost Records Bloom & Rage is an uneven experience where the characters are more interesting than the plot. With a final twist that feels unearned and doesnt explain the games mystery its hard to imagine players hyped for the second half. But the rest of the game could still build on its characters and make it worth it.

Final Verdict

Lost Records Bloom & Rage has some killer characters and a setting that brings 1995 to life. The musics great and the collectibles feel meaningful.

But the present timeline feels stagnant the branching choices dont matter and the mystery is more frustrating than fun...

About the Author

Yo Im Leo a gamer enthusiast based in the heart of Los Angeles. With a passion for reviewing killer games Ive got a couple of years under my belt bringing visions to life with style and flair. Catch me chillin at 3215 Overland Ave Los Angeles California(CA) 90034.

FAQs

What is Lost Records Bloom & Rage about?

Lost Records Bloom & Rage is a narrative adventure game where you play as Swann a teenage girl in 1995 who forms a close bond with a group of girls.

In 2022 Swann returns to her teenage town of Velvet Cove after receiving a mysterious box from her friend Autumn causing the group to reunite and reminisce about the summer of 1995 a summer they had all promised to never speak of again.

As they retrace their steps the player experiences the story from Swanns perspective alternating between the present and the past as they uncover the secrets of that summer.

What makes Lost Records Bloom & Rage similar to Life is Strange?

Lost Records Bloom & Rage is a narrative adventure created by the same creative minds behind the original Life is Strange.

Fans of Life is Strange will likely feel at home in the small town of Velvet Cove Michigan. However the review notes that Lost Records Bloom & Rage struggles to escape the shadow of Life is Strange.

What are some of the pros of Lost Records Bloom & Rage?

The game features wonderfully written characters and a setting that brings 1995 to life. The music is great as players have come to expect from Dont Nod.

The collectibles are meaningful with players using Swanns camcorder to capture moments in time.

What are some of the cons of Lost Records Bloom & Rage?

The present timeline (2022) feels stagnant and uninteresting compared to the 1995 storyline.

Branching choices dont feel like they matter and the mystery is more frustrating than fun. The plot holds back the characters.

What is the significance of the camcorder in the game?

The camcorder is an interesting device within the story that can be used as a flashlight and to view the world from a different perspective.

It allows players to step into the shoes of Swann and experience the world through her eyes. The collectibles are seamlessly integrated into the game and players use Swanns camcorder to capture moments in time.

Resource

https://gamerant.com/lost-records-bloom-rage-tape-1-review/

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