Lost Records: Bloom and Rage – Everything You Need to Know

In recent times, Don’t Nod has made strides into the RPG realm and moved away from the Life is Strange franchise, but they are still primarily recognized for their work in interactive narrative-driven adventures. Soon, they will revisit their origins with Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, a game that appears to be aiming to encapsulate all aspects of a Don’t Nod production. This promises to excite fans of their previous work.

Before the launch of the game “Lost Records: Bloom and Rage”, let’s delve into the reasons why it’s worth your attention, focusing on its essential aspects.

SETTING

The significance and worth of the setting in Don’t Nod’s “Life is Strange” series cannot be overstated, and it appears that “Lost Records” is aiming for a similar effect. This game is set in a fictional town in Michigan named Velvet Cove. As described by the developer, Velvet Cove is a small, seemingly peaceful town located amid dense forests and tranquil lakes. However, it’s not just an ordinary place; it’s where beauty encounters the unusual, which perfectly aligns with Don’t Nod’s style.

STORY

In a Don’t Nod tale, you can anticipate elements like coming-of-age narratives, suspenseful mysteries, and intense personal conflicts. This also holds true for the upcoming story, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. The narrative revolves around a circle of friends who vowed to cut off contact after a puzzling incident. However, they find themselves reunited 27 years later, compelled to confront that long-hidden secret once more.

DUAL TIMELINES

The narrative of “Lost Records” unfolds in a captivating manner through two distinct periods. While one segment is set in 1995, the other takes place 27 years later. As you progress, you’ll unravel the mysteries of yesteryears, and at the same time, influence the events happening in the present. Just like Don’t Nod’s previous works, your decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the story, leading to multiple endings and varying outcomes for both periods.

CHARACTERS

It’s no secret that Don’t Nod excels at creating relatable characters, a fact evident to anyone who has played their games. As a result, anticipation for Lost Records is running high. However, what can we expect from the game’s cast? Well, according to the studio, the story will revolve around a tight-knit group of four friends: Swann, Nora, Kat, and Autumn. While all characters may not share an equal spotlight…

ONLY ONE PLAYABLE CHARACTER

As a devoted follower, I’m excited to share that four key characters will shape the narrative of “Lost Records,” with Swann stepping into the role as the playable protagonist. In an interview with GamesRadar, creative director Michel Koch shared their reasoning for not making the other three characters playable. Essentially, they wanted to prevent a sense of detachment from the unfolding events on screen. To put it simply, Michel explained, “I’m acting in one scene, but then in the next, I see this character talking to me, and I didn’t choose their words?” This approach ensures a more immersive gaming experience for us players.

DIALOGUE SYSTEM

In the upcoming game “Lost Records”, Don’t Nod is planning a significant upgrade in the dialogue system compared to their previous adventure game. This may remind those who have played the “Oxenfree” games, as the dialogue interactions in “Lost Records: Bloom and Rage” will reportedly be more fluid and context-aware. Players will have the ability to enter and exit conversations at will, interrupt characters at selected moments, and even engage with objects in their environment to unlock additional dialogue possibilities. In an interview with CG Magazine, Koch explained that they are aiming to make the dialogue system in “Lost Records: Bloom and Rage” more interactive and realistic, allowing players to feel a greater sense of urgency about when to speak, when not to speak, and how to use environmental elements to introduce new topics in discussions.

CAMCORDER

A significant aspect of gameplay in “Lost Record” involves the use of a camcorder, which Swann can utilize throughout at least half of the game, particularly during the 1995-set sections. This device will allow her to capture footage on the fly, providing opportunities for both problem-solving and narrative advancement. Moreover, the flexibility to record virtually anywhere and manipulate zooms adds a creative element, enabling players to experiment with their surroundings. Post-recording, you’ll even have the option to edit your videos as desired.

RELEASING IN TWO PARTS

Don’t Nod has a history of releasing games in episodes, and “Lost Records” isn’t following the traditional “Life is Strange” format of one continuous release. Instead, it will be divided into two parts, or as Don’t Nod calls them, “tapes”. The first part, named “Bloom”, is due for release on February 18th, while the second part, initially planned for March, has been pushed back to April 18th.

LENGTH

It’s been confirmed that the game “Lost Records: Bloom and Rage” will likely span around 10-12 hours in total length, split between both tapes. However, the distribution of runtime between the two parts is yet undecided. The game also offers replay value with its multiple endings and choice and consequence mechanics, allowing players to delve deeper into the experience if they wish.

PHOTO MODE

One detail confirmed by the developer for their upcoming adventure game is that it will include a Photo Mode at its release. While specifics about the features of this mode are yet to be disclosed, given the importance of the camera in gameplay, we can anticipate that the Photo Mode will offer a rich set of options.

BEGINNING OF A NEW SERIES

Leaving behind the world of Life is Strange was a significant step for Don’t Nod, yet it appears they are now aiming to establish their own line of adventure series. Interestingly, they have confirmed that Lost Records: Bloom and Rage serves as the start of this series. While they haven’t revealed details about potential future instalments or spin-offs, Don’t Nod has hinted at plans to continue developing stories within this universe.

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled to share that on the official FAQ page, Don’t Nod has unveiled a sneak peek into the accessibility features of the upcoming game, “Lost Record.” This exciting title promises solutions for motion sickness, flexible gyro controls when using the camcorder, customizable crosshair options, and adjustable control settings, among other thoughtful inclusions. I can’t wait to dive in!

PC REQUIREMENTS

To put it simply, the system requirements for Lost Records on a PC aren’t too high, especially when running at the minimum settings. These specifications allow the game to run smoothly at a resolution of 720p and 30 frames per second (FPS). For this, you’ll need either an i7-2700K or an FX-8350 CPU, along with a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB), Radeon RX 560 (4 GB), or Arc A380 (6 GB) GPU, and at least 8 GB of RAM. To enjoy the game in 1080p resolution at 60 FPS on recommended settings, you’ll need a more powerful setup: either an i5-11400 or Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, a GeForce RTX 3080 (10 GB) or RX 6800XT (16 GB) GPU, and 16 GB of RAM.

To achieve a smooth 4K gaming experience at 60 FPS, you’ll require either an i5-12600K or Ryzen 5 7600X CPU, along with a GeForce RTX 4090 (equipped with 24 GB of VRAM). Additionally, for optimal performance, it’s essential to have an SSD for all game settings.

PC FEATURES

For players eager to experience “Lost Records: Bloom and Rage” on their PCs, the developers at Don’t Nod have announced that the game will include support for DLSS and FSR technology from day one. However, it’s important to note that ultrawide resolutions won’t be an option. The game can still be played on ultrawide monitors, but with black bars appearing on the sides as per the developer’s statement.

PRICE

At its launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, “Lost Records” will cost $39.99 as a bundle, without any option to buy each tape separately. In April, when tape 2 is released, it will be provided as a free update for all existing owners.

2025-02-01 03:12

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