Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Video Game Review

Don't Nod's Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a cool indie game. It takes you back to the 1990s in Michigan. I've played it for hours, learning about four friends in Velvet Cove.

This review talks about the game's special storytelling. It jumps between two times. It's all about friendship, memories, and how people connect over years.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is more than just a game. It has cool gameplay and deep characters. It feels like being a teenager in the 90s, making it very personal and immersive.

Playing Velvet Cove was like going on a trip back in time. It's a mystery that makes you want to find out more. It's about friendship, secrets, and surprises that last for nearly 30 years.

Pre-order through Amazon: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Game Overview and Initial Impressions

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage takes you on a journey through time. It spans from 1995 to 2022 in Velvet Cove, Michigan. The game tells a story that connects these two decades.

The game's story takes you back in time. It shows how friendships and growth are connected. Even though it's not pixel art, it feels like the 1990s in a small town.

Setting and Time Period

Velvet Cove is more than a setting. It's a character in the story. The game jumps between 1995 and 2022, showing how memories and changes shape us.

In the early years, there's no mobile phone. This makes human connections feel more real.

Main Character Introduction

Swann Holloway is the main character. She's a bit awkward but very relatable. At 42, she's caught between old and new times.

Her story shows how millennials deal with their past and present.

Visual Style and Atmosphere

The game's design is very engaging. It makes you feel part of the story. Every picture is made to touch your heart.

It focuses on Swann and her friends. Their lives are the heart of the story.

A Deep Dive into Velvet Cove's Storytelling

The story of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is deep and emotional. It goes beyond what you see in most fantasy RPGs. It's set in two times: 1995 and 2022.

It looks at girlhood, being vulnerable, and connecting with others. This makes the story very immersive.

Players follow four women: Swann, Kat, Nora, and Autumn. They grow and change through their choices. These choices make their friendships deep and real.

The game shows both the deep thoughts of adults and the honest feelings of youth. Players find a secret that was hidden for 27 years. This secret makes the story very emotional.

It talks about finding yourself, how you see your body, and how you connect with others.

"A narrative that breathes life into the complexities of female relationships" (Gaming Insights Review)

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has unique characters and a story that touches your heart. It shows how past and present are connected.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Video Game Review: Gameplay Mechanics and Features

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage offers a fresh take on gameplay. It breaks away from usual action-adventure games. The game's unique features make it stand out.

Camcorder Mechanics: A Narrative Lens

The camcorder is more than a tool in this game. It's a way to tell stories. Players see the world through Swann's eyes, finding hidden stories.

This makes the game feel very personal. It's not just about fighting. It's about exploring and understanding.

Choice and Consequence System

Your choices matter a lot in Lost Records. Every choice changes the story. It affects how characters act and the story unfolds.

This isn't like games with simple choices. Here, your choices really shape the game. You get to decide what happens next.

Environmental Interaction

Velvet Cove is alive and interactive. The game doesn't have big boss battles. Instead, you solve puzzles by observing and making smart choices.

The world is a big puzzle. You need to figure it out step by step.

The game redefines interactive storytelling by making every moment count.

Character Development and Relationships

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is special because of how it handles characters. It focuses on Swann Holloway and her friends, Autumn, Nora, and Kat. Together, they build strong bonds that grow as the story unfolds.

The game lets players shape how characters talk to each other. Each friend has their own unique personality. For example, Nora's skin clears up, showing her growth.

It's not just about talking. Players can make friends deeper and closer. Every choice and conversation adds to the story, making it feel real.

What makes Lost Records stand out is its focus on real feelings. It dives deep into the true nature of teenage friendships. This makes the game replayable and deeply touching.

Swann's journey from an introverted teenager to a reflective adult is a testament to the game's sophisticated character progression system.

Conclusion

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a special game. It's not like other hack and slash or post-apocalyptic games. It dives deep into memory and growing up, touching players' hearts.

The game's story is new and exciting. It uses old video clips and memories to show us the characters' lives. Even though the game play is simple, the story's depth makes up for it.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is a big step in gaming stories. It talks about queer experiences and teenage fights. It shows that stories can be powerful and reach many people.

If you want a game that focuses on characters and stories, try this one. It shows that good stories can overcome any technical issues. It's a journey back in time that will change how games tell stories.

Pre-order through Amazon: Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Source Links

• [REVIEW] ‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’ Is a Promising Start - https://horrorpress.com/games/8971/review-lost-records-bloom-rage-is-a-promising-start/

• Lost Records: Bloom And Rage Review In Progress - Leave Nothing But Memories - https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-review-in-progress-leave-nothing-but-memories/1900-6418340/

• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 1 Review - Xbox Tavern - https://www.xboxtavern.com/lost-records-bloom-rage-tape-1-review/

• ‘Lost Records: Bloom and Rage’ Tape 1 Is Easily One of Don’t Nod’s Best, Most Emotionally Resonant Games (Review) - https://www.vice.com/en/article/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-tape-1-is-easily-one-of-dont-nods-best-most-emotionally-resonant-games/

• ‘Lost Records: Bloom & Rage’ Tape 1 review: A bittersweet homecoming - https://aiptcomics.com/2025/02/18/lost-records-bloom-rage-tape-1-review/

• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Review (PlayStation5) | Qualbert - https://www.qualbert.com/reviews/lost-records-bloom-rage-review-playstation5/

• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Review (Tape 1) | Rewind, Reminisce, Repeat｜Game8 - https://game8.co/articles/reviews/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-review-tape-1

• A Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games, v2.0" - https://archive.org/stream/crpg_book_2.0/crpg_book_2.0-1_djvu.txt

• Lost Records: Bloom and Rage - Tape One - Review — Analog Stick Gaming - https://www.analogstickgaming.com/game-reviews-1/2025/2/17/lost-records-bloom-and-rage

• Casual Gamer Reviews: Lost Records: Rage & Bloom - https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/review-lost-records-rage-and-bloom-19929107

• Lost Records: Bloom - Gaming Nexus - https://gamingnexus.com/Article/14175/Lost-Records-Bloom/

• Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 review - https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/lost-records-bloom-and-rage-tape-1-review/

• Lost Records: Bloom and Rage Review + Steam Deck Performance - https://steamdeckhq.com/game-reviews/lost-records-bloom-and-rage/