In its recently published quarterly fiscal report, DON’T NOD stated that it has got off to “a great start” in the early months of 2025, with Lost Records: Bloom and Rage mentioned as one of the reasons. Thanks in part to a partnership with Sony and critical acclaim, the narrative adventure title has seen sales that are in line with what the studio expected before release.

“Backed by a strategic partnership with Sony, the game’s sales are in line with forecasts in an increasingly selective market,” the developer says.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Read our review of the game’s first episode here, in which we scored it a 7/10, praising its dual-storytelling, characters, and art style, while reserving criticism for occasionally rough writing and visual glitches.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage – Tape 1: Bloom, which is the game’s first half, is now available for all platforms. Don’t Nod has released a launch trailer to commemorate the same. Check it out below for a glimpse of its setting, dual timeline story, core cast of characters, key gameplay mechanics (filming being chief among them), and more. 

In our review of the game, we awarded it a score of 7/10, saying, “Even if Tape 1 won’t immediately grab you, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is off to a decent start, thanks to its intriguing characters and plot.” Read the full review through here.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage – Tape 1: Bloom is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Tape 2: Rage will release as a free update on April 15.  

Ahead of the game’s approaching release, here, we’re going to talk about why, as we take a look at the key details that you should know about Lost Records: Bloom and Rage.

SETTING

You could never overstate the value and importance of the setting of Don’t Nod’s Life is Strange titles, and it seems like Lost Records is going for something similar. The game is set in a fictional town in Michigan named Velvet Cove. Described by the developer as a “seemingly sleepy little town” surrounded by “dense woodlands and serene lakes”, Velvet Cove is apparently “a place where beauty meets the bizarre”, which sounds very on-brand for Don’t Nod.

STORY

Coming-of-age stories, mystery, and buckets of interpersonal drama are the things you expect first and foremost in a Don’t Nod story, and yes, that’s what Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is promising as well. Its story will focus on a group of friends who swear never to speak to each other again after a mysterious and fateful event. Now, they are reunited 27 years later, forced to come face-to-face with that secret.

DUAL TIMELINES

Lost Records’ story is going to be told across two different timelines, interestingly enough. With one half of the story set in 1995 and the other half 27 years later, players will not only gradually uncover the secrets of the past over the course of the story, but also shape the present-day story alongside it. True to form for Don’t Nod, your actions and choices will also shape the story, with multiple endings and different outcomes possible for both timelines.

CHARACTERS

Don’t Nod’s talent for crafting compelling, relatable characters is known to anyone who’s played one of the studio’s games, which means expectations from Lost Records will be high. What do we know about the game’s cast though? According to the studio, the aforementioned group of friends that the story will be focused on will be four strong- Swann, Nora, Kat, and Autumn. That said, not each character is going to be equally prominent…

ONLY ONE PLAYABLE CHARACTER

The four aforementioned characters are going to be central to Lost Records’ story, but only one of them – Swann – will take on the role of playable protagonist. Speaking to GamesRadar about why the other three aren’t playable, creative director Michel Koch said the decision was made to avoid a feeling of disconnect from on-screen events. “I play a character in one scene, but then in the next scene I see this character talking to me, and I’m not choosing the words?” he explained.

DIALOGUE SYSTEM

One of the bigger improvements that Don’t Nod is promising in Lost Records over its previous adventure game is the dialogue system. For those who have played the Oxenfree games, this might be familiar, because apparently, dialogue interactions in Lost Records: Bloom and Rage will be much more dynamic and contextual. Players will be able to move in and out of conversations, interrupt characters at moments of their choosing, and even interact with things in their surroundings to open up new dialogue options. Speaking in an interview with CG Magazine, Koch said, “What we’re trying to do with Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is to make the dialogue system slightly more interactive and naturalistic in a way that you will be able to have much more urgency about when to talk when not to talk, how to use some of the things that are around your surroundings to bring new dialogue topics to the discussions.”

CAMCORDER

Another important part of Lost Record’s gameplay loop is going to be the camcorder- in half of the game, at least. In the past section, set in 1995, Swann will be equipped with a camcorder that she will be able to whip out at (almost) any time. The camcorder will be used for both puzzles and storytelling purposes, of course, but with the ability to record at almost anytime, anywhere, zooming in and out of things to your heart’s content, it looks like players will also be given the freedom to goof around in creative ways. After recording videos, in fact, you’ll also be able to edit them in various ways.

RELEASING IN TWO PARTS

Don’t Nod is no stranger to episodic releases, and though Lost Records isn’t quite adopting the old Life is Strange formula, it’s not releasing as one contiguous release either. The game is coming in two parts, or two “tapes”, as Don’t Nod as dubbed them, with Tape 1 called “Bloom” and Tape 2 titled “Rage”. Tape 1 will release on February 18, while Tape 2, which was previously set for March, was recently delayed to April 18.

LENGTH

Don’t Not has also confirmed that Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is going to be about 10-12 hours in length. That’s across both tapes, though it’s unclear whether that runtime will be roughly evenly divided across the two parts. The game is, of course, also promising some replay value with its multiple endings and choice and consequence mechanics, for those who want to get more out of it.

PHOTO MODE

Another details that the developer has confirmed for the upcoming adventure title is that it is going to have a Photo Mode available at launch. Further details on the features the mode will come with haven’t been revealed, though with the camcorder serving as a crucial gameplay feature, you’d expect the Photo Mode to be pretty full-featured.

BEGINNING OF A NEW SERIES

Moving on from Life is Strange was a big decision for Don’t Nod, but it looks like the studio now wants to own its own adventure series. In fact, it has confirmed that it’s viewing Lost Records: Bloom and Rage as the beginning of a series. Of course, that doesn’t say anything about what potential sequels or follow-ups could look like, but Don’t Nod has made its intentions to release further instalments in the universe pretty clear.

ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

Over on the game’s official FAQ page, Don’t Nod has also revealed brief details on Lost Record’s suite of accessibility features. The game will feature options for motion sickness, gyro controls while using the camcorder, crosshair options, customizable controls, and more.

PC REQUIREMENTS

As you’d expect, Lost Records’ system requirements on PC aren’t particularly demanding- at least on the lowest settings. Minimum settings (which will run the game at 720 and 30 FPS) stipulate either an i7-2700K or an FX-8350, along with either a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4 GB), a Radeon RX 560 (4 GB), or an Arc A380 (6 GB), and 8 GB of RAM. Meanwhile, to run the game at 1080p and 60 FPS on recommended settings, you’ll need either an i5-11400 or a Ryzen 5 5600X, along with either a GeForce RTX 3080 (10 GB) or an RX 6800XT (16 GB), and 16 GB of RAM.

Finally, to run the game at 4K and 60 FPS, you’ll need either an i5-12600K or a Ryzen 5 7600X, as well as a GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB). On all settings, players will also need an SSD.

PC FEATURES

For those intending to play Lost Records: Bloom and Rage on PC, Don’t Nod has confirmed that the game will feature support for DLSS and FSR right out the gate. That said, ultrawide resolutions won’t be supported. The game will run on ultrawide monitors, but with black bars on the sides, according to the developer.

PRICE

When Lost Records launches for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, it will be sold for $39.99. That’s the price for both tapes put together, with no individual purchases being offered for each. When tape 2 releases in April, it’ll arrive in the form of a free update for all owners.

Windows 10 and a solid-state drive are mandatory across the board, though the required installation space isn’t specified. The minimum requirements are pretty forgiving with an Intel Core i7-2700K or AMD FX-8350, 8 GB of RAM and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti (4GB), AMD Radeon RX 560 (4GB) or Intel ARC A380 (6 GB) needed for 720p/30 FPS at Low settings.

Recommended requirements include a Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 16 GB Ram, and a GeForce RTX 3080 (10 GB) or AMD RX 6800XT (16GB) for 1080p/60 FPS on High settings. Finally, playing at Very High and 2160p/60 FPS requires a Core i5-12600K or AMD Ryzen 5 7600X, 16 GB of RAM, and a GeForce RTX 4090 (24 GB). Support for Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD FSR will be available, but ultrawide monitors must deal with black bars on the sides.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage launches on February 18th with Tape 1 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, while Tape 2 arrives on April 15th. Both Tapes retail for $39.99 and won’t be sold separately.

This figure likely only accounts for a single playthrough rather than all the potential choices one could make. Take Life is Strange, the studio’s first title. HowLongToBeat reveals it’s 14 hours to complete the main story on average with an additional 4.5 hours for completionists.

Life is Strange 2 is 16 hours on average for the story and 20 hours for completionists. With multiple endings confirmed, past and present decisions changing things in both, they’re more than likely to contribute to the playtime. Of course, the total may not even factor in all the cutscenes and dialogue interactions.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage’s first Tape launches on February 18th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC with Tape 2 arriving on April 15th.

In a separate FAQ, the developer wanted to provide the team with “the necessary time to refine the experience, address more bugs, and enhance the storytelling for a truly immersive continuation of the journey.” It believes the additional time will ensure a “richer experience” for players.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage costs $39.99, with a 10 percent discount available until March 4th. The price includes both Tapes, with Tape 2 being an update to download when it launches.

The title is about four friends – Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat – spanning two different periods – 1995 and 2022 – in Velvet Cove. While they were inseparable during high school, an event occurs that causes them to split. Twenty years later, they must return to the town and confront a “long-buried secret” for mysterious reasons.

While it leverages DON’T NOD’s experience with narrative titles like Life is Strange, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is also aiming for a “slightly more interactive” dialogue system. Head here for more details.

The trailer sees Swann, the protagonist, being bullied by another teenager. Kat is threatened in a separate scene while Autumn expresses her anger at someone named Cory. However, the tail-end of the trailer is most intriguing as it seemingly showcases the Abyss in question – a massive hole brimming with mysterious, seemingly malignant, energy.

Aside from the new gameplay, DON’T NOD confirmed that Milk and Bone are working on the soundtrack, playing a “major role.” In a press release, they said, “We’re so thrilled to be able to announce our collaboration with DON’T NOD for the original soundtrack of Lost Records.

“Scoring a narrative video game like this has always been a dream of ours, and we could not have ever hoped for a better partnership. As gamers and big fans of previous DON’T NOD games, it was such an honor to infuse the game with our identity and tap into our melancholic signature sound!”

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2025. Tape 1 is out on February 18th, with Tape 2 following on March 18th.

While the third-person perspective traditionally seen in previous titles like Life is Strange is apparent, there’s also a new first-person view. Players can select dialogue options and manipulate a camera to take photos. As we learn more about each girl’s character, it becomes clear that the reunion between Swann and Autumn is anything but joyous.

The latter reveals that her mother received a package addressed to Bloom and Rage, the name of the group’s band from the old days. What’s in it, and how does it relate to the incident from decades prior? We’ll have to wait and find out.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is divided into two tapes – the first launches on February 18th, 2025, while the second is out on March 18th.

Don’t Nod has announced that it is partnering with Pix’n Love, who will be releasing a physical version of the acclaimed puzzle-platformer later this year. Arriving this October, it will come with reversible cover art, though it will only be releasing for PS5. There’s no word on if a belated Xbox physical release is also planned down the road.

In addition to a standard edition, a deluxe edition will also be available, which, in addition to a copy of the game itself, will also include a 300-page making-of artbook, the game’s OST, four lithographs, and a large cardboard box containing all of it. Only 300 of these will be printed, so if you want to get your hands on, you’re going to have to move fast.

Jusant is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Read our review of the game through here.

Speaking to Actusnews Wire, CEO Oskar Guilbert said, “We know that many of our fans are eagerly awaiting this game, just as they are the recently announced next installment of Life is Strange. Let’s give both titles the space they need to be enjoyed by our players within the large community we have built.

“We firmly believe the wait for Bloom and Rage will be worth it. We look forward to sharing this new adventure, which we hope will become another memorable chapter in the DON’T NOD universe.”

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage comprises two parts set in 1995 and 2022. The story sees four friends – Swann, Nora, Kat and Autumn – who face an “unexplained event” and spiral downwards. After splitting up, they reunite nearly three decades later, presumably to face their demons.

Though it will play similarly to Life is Strange 1 and 2 (both developed by DON’T NOD), there are some new elements, like playing in both timelines. Decisions from the present can affect and vice versa. Swann’s camcorder also plays a “big part” and can be used for puzzle-solving. The development team also seeks a “slightly more interactive and naturalistic” dialogue system to allow for “much more urgency.” Stay tuned for further updates on its release date in the coming months.