GamesAdventureLost Records: Bloom & RageLost Records Bloom & Rage, from the creators of Life is Strange, involves “blending reality, dreams, and the weirdness of the unknown"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesAdventureLost Records: Bloom & RageLost Records Bloom & Rage, from the creators of Life is Strange, involves “blending reality, dreams, and the weirdness of the unknown"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Don’t Nod)
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a new story-driven adventure from the creators of Life is Strange. That statement alone is enough to get me excited, but when you add its tantalizing premise and setting into the mix, Bloom & Rage has become one of my most anticipatednew games for 2024. As the reveal trailer teased during the Game Awards in December last year, we’ll be going on a journey through time as we explore the story of Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat. For the four highschool friends, the summer of 1995 is said to be “one of self-discovery and forging unbreakable bonds”, but as we see, the carefree antics of the group quickly take a turn, with flashes of a fire, and a mysterious purple glow coming from an unknown source.
Whatever happens that summer is enough to make the four friends promise to never speak again. But after 27 years of no contact, they’re brought back together. With many questions hanging in the air, I can’t wait to delve into what promises to be one very intriguing story-driven experience. One that, as creative director Michel Koch explains, will be the first game in a new universe that will set the scene for future stories.
“We are working on this first game as the foundation for a possibly larger universe. We are creating our characters and their stories for this game, but also while thinking of the possibilities to tell future stories with them, or other stories with the locations and the same game world,” says Koch. “Bloom & Rage will be a full game with full story beats and a complete story, but with Jean-Luc Cano (writer) we’re laying the seeds of what could come after, we have a lot of ideas and possible leads to where we want to go and this is extremely liberating and creatively exciting!”
Magical realism
(Image credit: Don’t Nod)
The new Lost Records universe is “brimming with magical realism”, which Don’t Nod is no stranger to. Both Life is Strange and Life is Strange 2 explored different real world issues, but did so with an undercurrent of the supernatural. We don’t yet know how this magical side will play out in Bloom & Rage, but Koch points to the term “liminal fantasy to describe the kind of fantasy they are infusing into Lost Records.”
“It involves blending reality, dreams, and the weirdness of the unknown,” Koch says. “There is this peculiar dreamy and atmospheric experience we’re trying to reach and we hope will keep the players lured in the Lost Records world like in a liminal space, both fascinated and unsettled.”
Big in 2024(Image credit: Future)GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January
Big in 2024
(Image credit: Future)GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January
(Image credit: Future)
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January
With both Cano and Koch growing up in the 90s, their imaginary worlds have drawn inspiration from various sources. The time apart being 27 years in Bloom & Rage is a nod to Stephen King’s It, for example, with Koch listing other influences such as The Twilight Zone, X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Twin Peaks.
“I think that’s why, like when we crafted Life is Strange 1 for the first time, Jean-Luc and I strongly believe that adding a layer of magical realism, supernatural, or fantasy to a story is the best way to enhance emotions, human reactions, and create a twist that increases the stakes,” Koch says. “It allows us as creators to delve deeper into our characters and immerse the audience in a world where anything is possible.”
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Characters and connections
(Image credit: Don’t Nod)
“We’ve really pushed this love for characters even more in this game, pushing more of the interactivity, the relationships, the whole story, around our main cast of characters.“Michel Koch, creative director
“We’ve really pushed this love for characters even more in this game, pushing more of the interactivity, the relationships, the whole story, around our main cast of characters.”
In a world where anything is possible, Bloom & Rage will still put a focus on its characters. With the team applying a wealth of experience gained during the development of LiS 1 and 2 for aspects such as worldbuilding, interactive storytelling, and player agency, Koch says what they learned about the importance of character development and how best to create attachments to characters is something they’re applying to Bloom & Rage: “We’ve really pushed this love for characters even more in this game, pushing more of the interactivity, the relationships, the whole story, around our main cast of characters.”
Writing the story at the beginning of the pandemic, “in a time period where we were not about to see our friends anymore”, also gave rise to a desire to create a story about connections, friendship, and how we reconnect with long lost friends. And while Bloom & Rage does “share common DNA” with Don’t Nod’s previous games, it promises to deliver something unique thanks to the group dynamics of the four friends when it arrives in late 2024 on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5.
“Their interactions together, their relationships, how close they are to each other will be at the center of the game’s interactivity,” Koch says. “The notion of group dynamics is one of the main themes of the game. We really want our players to experience what it is to find their place within a group of friends, and to see if being part of a group can make someone stronger or, in the opposite, pushes them to go against their own beliefs.”
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated video games of the year withBig in 2024, with new articles dropping every day throughout January.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”