In 2015, the French studio Don't Nod redefined the interactive drama genre with Life is Strange, an enthralling adventure that celebrated the beauty of everyday moments, the strength of unbreakable friendships, and the relentless march of time. Players were captivated by its meticulous attention to detail and the opportunity to explore and influence the game's world. Although Don't Nod ventured into different genres in subsequent projects, none quite recaptured the magic that fans adored.
Now, years later, Don't Nod returns to its storytelling roots with Lost Records, a coming-of-age narrative that serves as more than just interactive cinema—it's a tribute to a bygone era and the essence of youthful freedom. With its nostalgic atmosphere, richly drawn characters, and impactful player choices, Lost Records is set to enchant its audience once again.
Table of Content
- Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years
- Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships
- Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters
- A Town Worth Dreaming About
- Slow-Paced Plot The Defining Feature of the Story
Friends Reunite to Uncover Secrets from the Past After 27 Years
Image: ensigame.com
At the core of Lost Records lies the story of four women whose friendship dissolved 27 years ago. The protagonist, Swan Holloway, returns to her hometown of Velvet Bay for a reunion, only to find that someone has sent them a mysterious package from their past. A forest, an abandoned house, and secrets best left untouched—their forgotten memories are brought back to life. This is the essence of Bloom & Rage: a summer night's dream revisited.
The narrative weaves through two timelines: 1995, a time when life seemed simpler and more vibrant, and 2022, where the heroines, now in their forties, meet in a bar with awkward smiles, avoiding the painful incident that tore them apart. The camera switches to first-person mode to highlight the contrast between these periods.
Most of the gameplay unfolds in the past, where players explore breathtaking locations, build relationships, and document events using a vintage HVS camera. Video recording is central to the experience. Like Max in Life is Strange, Swan captures everything from graffiti and wildlife to paranormal phenomena.
Image: ensigame.com
In a dedicated menu, players can edit their collected footage into short films, categorized by themes. Swan provides commentary on these creations, and some documentaries feature in the storyline, though they don't alter its course.
Player decisions significantly influence the narrative, with both immediate and long-term consequences. The episodic format of the game currently limits the extent of these long-term impacts, which is a defining aspect of its storytelling.
Choices Still Impact Surroundings, Dialogues, and Relationships
Lost Records excels in interactivity and meticulous detail, hallmarks of Don't Nod's work. In one scene, Swan expresses a desire for ice cream from a nearby truck. Players can choose to buy it or continue with other tasks. Delaying too long results in the truck closing, which changes subsequent interactions.
Image: ensigame.com
The game world is dynamic and engaging. Dialogues unfold in real-time, similar to Oxenfree and Telltale adventures, with characters interrupting each other, changing topics, and even offering silence as a response. Sometimes, choosing to say nothing is wiser than impulsively revealing someone's secret.
The freedom to build relationships is another key choice. Players aren't required to seek everyone's approval; if a character doesn't resonate, they can simply be ignored. Swan is portrayed as shy, but players can guide her to open up.
Bloom & Rage Creates Beautifully Imperfect Characters
Image: ensigame.com
Don't Nod has a knack for crafting characters that feel authentic. They are loud, occasionally clumsy in their youthful idealism, yet genuinely sincere at heart.
While I once critiqued the main cast of Life is Strange: Double Exposure for lacking depth, I realized the issue lay elsewhere. Deck Nine doesn't capture personalities as effectively as Don't Nod.
Swan is endearing—an ordinary 16-year-old who struggles with self-doubt, constantly worrying about her words and using her video camera as a shield. Though reminiscent of Max Caulfield, Swan is no mere copy; she's a distinct character with her own journey.
Image: ensigame.com
Her friends Ottem, Kate, and Nora embody familiar archetypes but transcend them. Nora, the punk girl with vibrant bangs and American dreams, surprisingly turns out to be the most cautious. Kate, the passionate writer, often spurs the group into action, encouraging Swan to seize the moment. Ottem values thoughtful and serious individuals.
In their company, players will feel the thrill of teenage invincibility, regardless of their actual age. Lost Records is a journey not just into youth but also into the heart of the '90s.
A Town Worth Dreaming About
Nostalgia is woven into every facet of the game, epitomized by Swan's room, a treasure trove of '90s memorabilia. A bulky TV with tapes, floppy disks, tamagotchis, Rubik's cubes, and troll dolls—it's a nostalgic haven for millennials, inviting both admiration and melancholy.
Easter eggs referencing pop culture are plentiful: Sabrina, The X-Files, Tank Girl, The Goonies, Twilight, Casper, Revenge of the Nerds, and more. The list extends to video games like Oxenfree, Night in the Woods, Control, and Life is Strange, as well as books and music such as House of Leaves, Nine Inch Nails, and Nirvana.
Image: ensigame.com
The most overt reference is the plot's 27-year gap, reminiscent of Stephen King's It.
The soundtrack deserves special mention. Don't Nod's choice of dream-pop and indie-rock tunes, like See You in Hell, is exceptional. Initially, I thought the music didn't resonate, but The Wild Unknown has lingered in my mind for days.
Velvet Bay emerges as the quintessential sleepy American town, cozy by day and chilling by night. The more players explore, the more Bloom & Rage intrigues and captivates.
Slow-Paced Plot The Defining Feature of the Story
Image: ensigame.com
The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, which might test some players' patience. Unlike Life is Strange, which quickly transitions from teenage life to detective work, Lost Records insists on building character connections and immersing players in '90s culture before shifting gears.
Personally, I appreciate this approach, though it may not suit everyone. The tension escalates in the second half of the first episode, culminating in a cliffhanger that promises more excitement in the next installment. This leaves players eager to theorize and anticipate what's to come.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage transports players back to the '90s, even if they never lived through them. It's a film that understands its audience and stays true to its genre. With relatable characters, engaging interactions, and the potential for a compelling narrative, its success will be fully realized with the release of the second part on April 15th. I eagerly await the conclusion, hopeful that Don't Nod will once again weave their storytelling magic.
