I was browsing through my PlayStation Plus game catalog when I came across an intriguing game titled Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. The game’s cover was aesthetically pleasing enough to convince me that I had to try it out, no matter what. That is when I put my Xfinity Internet to good use and downloaded the game, which only took a matter of minutes. Once installed, I delved deep into the game, and over one weekend, I was done with it.
I was also stoked to find out that the studio behind the game was Don’t Nod, the same company that made Life is Strange, which was another brilliant game. Once I found this out, I knew for sure that Bloom and Rage would have the Butterfly Effect as well, with every choice branching into different story paths, and that is exactly what happened.
Here are some things that I found unique about Lost Records: Bloom and Rage.
Two Different Timelines
The game is set in two different timelines as it revolves around the 4 protagonists, Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat. One timeline of the game is based on when they were teens back in July 1995 and met each other for the first time.
The other timeline in the game is set in 2022, 27 years following the events of when they met. However, something happens in 1995 that compels the four of them to promise that they would cut off contact with each other and forget about everything that happened that year. However, in 2022, Swann, Autumn, and Nora decide to meet again to recollect their memories and try to remember what happened.
An Authentic 90s Vibe
For the part where you play the game set during 1995, you’ll see a 90s vibe with a lack of the internet and a lot of outdoor activity. There weren’t any smartphones, which is why you use cordless landline phones in the game whenever you have to make a call.
Plus, there is a Blockbuster-inspired store in the game called “Movie Palace” since there wasn’t any online streaming back in the 90s. However, when you transition back to the present in 2022, you see quite a difference when every character has access to a smartphone. So I really like how they kept the whole ’90s vibe alive in the game.
A Proper Cinematic Feel
Throughout the game, we control Swann’s character, who is very much into videography and always carries her camcorder around with her. Wherever you go, you can access Swann’s camera and make footage of the surroundings, which includes birds, scenic views, your friends, and a lot more. You can then stitch the footage together by pressing the touchpad on your controller and create memoirs for yourself.
So always remember to access Swann’s camera every now and then so that you don’t miss out on anything. You’ll also notice how your friends start looking at the camera and change their expressions once they notice that you are pointing the camera towards them, which was a very nice attention to detail.
You Can Curate Your Relationships
While you have three friends to choose from, your choices and dialogs determine your relationships with your friends. You start off with “New Friends” and can take it all the way up to “First Love’ depending on how close you get with a certain individual from Autumn, Nora, and Kat.
Therefore, you need to play the game with the idea of who you want to be close to. You also need to put that person on a pedestal so that you can grow your relationship with them. It’s very close to real life, so make sure you make the correct choices and say the right things to the right person.
In the first Life is Strange game, you only have the option to build a relationship with either Warren or Chloe, but Bloom and Rage give you more options to choose between, which I thought was cool.
It Has a Great Soundtrack
Not only is the cover for the game aesthetic, but so is the soundtrack. If you want to witness what nostalgia and a dreamy vibe feel like, then you should definitely listen to the game’s soundtrack. Not only does it have original music, but the game also features music from the iconic duo, Beach House.
As soon as I was done playing the game, I spent the following week listening to Lazuli by Beach House on repeat, and I’m glad I played the game since it introduced me to the song. So, if you appreciate a good soundtrack in a game, then you should definitely play Lost Records: Bloom and Rage.
If I were you, I’d get a PS Plus subscription as quickly as I can and then download the game on download. It is definitely the kind that you shouldn’t miss out on, and having a subscription makes it possible for you to access the game for free for a limited period.
