While you wait for its arrival, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is out now for cloud, PC and Series X/S players, with Monster Train 2 coming tomorrow to Game Pass Premium alongside Spray Paint Simulator. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be available on December 4th with Premium.

On the same day, Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can get their hands on Routine, a long-delayed procedural horror title first announced in 2012. December 9th sees the arrival of A Game About Digging A Hole, Death Howl, and Dome Keeper for all three tiers. Bratz: Rhythm and Style on December 11th caps off Wave 1.

Several titles will be leaving on December 15th, and in an intriguing twist, Microsoft has confirmed those which won’t be available post-31st.

December 15

• Mortal Kombat 11 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Still Wakes the Deep (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Wildfrost (Cloud, Console, and PC)

December 31

• Carrion (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Hell Let Loose (Cloud, Console, and PC)

You even get the Rocket Pass Premium in Rocket League (remember when that was still a thing?). As for actual game offerings, Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault will be available via Game Preview on November 19th for Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Premium subscribers, meanwhile, can check out Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo and Revenge of the Savage Planet on the same day. They’re followed by Monsters are Coming! Rock and Road and The Crew Motorfest on November 20th. There’s also Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden and Kill It With Fire! 2 on November 25th for all three tiers.

December 1st marks the day one launch of Marvel Cosmic Invasion for Premium and PC Game Pass, while Lost Records: Bloom and Rage will arrive on December 2nd. Of course, Xbox advises checking back on November 20th following the Partner Preview for more news, so expect even more announcements.

Check out the titles leaving the service on November 30th:

• Barbie Project Friendship (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Lords of the Fallen (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Octopath Traveler (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Octopath Traveler 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• SteamWorld Build (Cloud, Console, and PC)

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.  

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is a return of sorts to those roots with contextual dialogue choices, almost usually awkward exchanges, and a mysterious, supernatural bent. It works in some areas, falters in others – especially on the technical side – and while I’d still wait and see how Tape 2 pans out, Tape 1 presents an intriguing mystery that may be worth checking out. If you can deal with the contrivances, that is.

Tape 1: Bloom begins with protagonist Swann, meeting up with her friend Autumn after several years due to a promise they made when younger. The narrative places a heavy emphasis on reliving the Summer of 1995, where Swann first meets Autumn, Nora, and Kat as pre-teens.

"Examining the environment during key moments, selecting different options, building bonds with the group with the “right” dialogues, and even waiting for other potential options are a core part of the narrative."

Though the group becomes close-knit, things take a turn and they separate, swearing to tell no one about their secret. Why Autumn seeks Nora after all this time to “confront” what happened is one of the many mysteries you’ll have to unravel, as you jump back and forth between the present day and the past. Yes, it’s a premise that feels inspired by Stephen King’s It, but at least the treatment is different enough.

While I was initially wary of this constant switching, Lost Records handles it pretty naturally, tying in different incidents with the present conversation, and moving events along quickly enough. As a movie enthusiast, Swann is all about recording things on her handheld camera, all to construct a memoir for Velvet Cove. The dichotomy of her as the sole point of view versus you, behind the lens, uncovering and adding things to the collection, is intriguing throughout, especially when consolidating the two in the present day.

Of course, since this is DON’T NOD, there are extensive dialogue choices. Examining the environment during key moments, selecting different options, building bonds with the group with the “right” dialogues, and even waiting for other potential options are a core part of the narrative. At times, selecting a sudden new choice is the equivalent of Swann suddenly blurting out something, with the other party asking to finish their thoughts. It feels uneasy but natural – if only the game would actually interrupt her spoken dialogue as well instead of layering the two voice lines on top.

None of this is a particularly new twist on the genre, especially having to look around in a specific location for a select item. However, seeing how DON’T NOD’s narrative techniques have evolved past its initial adventure outings is cool. All the familiar themes are still here, from the pangs of growing up to fitting in and trying to become comfortable with yourself, even amid the mundane and it is nice (if a little overdone) to hear the present-day characters musing about their past feelings and reactions.

"The various conflicts at least feel stressful enough, especially given some of the harsher content throughout the game."

However, some scenes don’t always come across well, mostly due to the dialogue and its use in certain situations. Young adult fiction presents its fair share of awkward situations, and this is no different, but some lines come across as unnatural, even if the voice actors nail the delivery. It also doesn’t help that certain sequences don’t always fall into place sequentially.

At one point, the girls work together to search for Autumn’s keys. Swann can help out, occasionally filming and chatting up Nora, and much more. When the keys are discovered, caught high up on a dilapidated structure, you’re tasked with finding something to throw and knock them down. Speak to Nora again, and Swann will ask if she’s found the keys yet, despite their location already being established.

If you were being positive about it, you could think of it as her misremembering things, but it feels more like an editing mistake, with shots cut in the wrong order and disrupting the immersion. The various conflicts at least feel stressful enough, especially given some of the harsher content throughout the game.

As iffy as the dialogue can be at times, at least the characters feel alive. Swann isn’t the most social individual, especially when confronted with strangers, but her critter enthusiasm and casual observations when alone are endearing. Autumn’s straightforward responses and down-to-earth nature contrast with her shyness, while Kat’s familial situation (and foul-mouthedness) can feel relatable.

"There are some pretty hefty frame drops on PS5, even when very little is happening, but even worse is the texture pop-in, especially up close."

I wasn’t too keen on Nora since her character came across as more cliched than anything else, between the punk rock interests, family trouble, and rebellious streak that have been done to death. She’s not boring, though, so there’s that.

Much of your time in Lost Records is spent walking around, filming things, and interacting with the cast or environment. The art direction is pretty good in this endeavor, especially in capturing all the tropes of the 90s, like troll dolls, trapper keepers, VHS cassettes (the “warning” at the beginning of the game is an excellent touch), poorly constructed graffiti and whatnot.

It imbues Velvet Cove with some personality – at least to the extent that you can sympathize with the characters calling it a dump. Technically, the lighting and shadows, with the level of detail and texture quality are pretty good, even if some transitions between facial expressions feel a bit jarring if you look too close.

Unfortunately, the visuals aren’t always technically sound. There are some pretty hefty frame drops on PS5, even when very little is happening, but even worse is the texture pop-in, especially up close. It’s distracting in its frequency and brings down the experience. The soundtrack doesn’t initially stand out, but there are some pretty good selections here.

"It doesn’t quite hit the same as Life is Strange once did, for good and bad reasons, but there’s certainly something here."

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage isn’t a redux of Life of Strange, and despite the deja vu that occurs, there’s enough to separate the two in subject matter, narrative layout, and characterization. Tape 1 does a pretty decent job of setting the stage and characters, helping you empathize with them, warts and underwhelming dialogue aside. It’s not something you should be rushing to experience immediately, especially without Tape 2 to provide the full context and book-end the narrative and your choices.

Nevertheless, for those seeking a new narrative adventure with reasonably good presentation values – and don’t mind the technical issues – Lost Records: Bloom and Rage could be a decent escape. It doesn’t quite hit the same as Life is Strange once did, for good and bad reasons, but there’s certainly something here.

This game was reviewed on the PS5.

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.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

One of the biggest games of the year, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 expands on the first game in every single way. The combat is improved with new ranged weapons and movesets added. There are two giant maps to explore, including the massive city of Kuttenberg. The world is more dynamic, allowing for emergent gameplay and an extensive range of consequences with every decision.

It promises roughly 100 hours of gameplay and the conclusion of Henry’s journey. If its launch goes smoothly, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 could be a Game of the Year frontrunner when it launches on February 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered

If Aspyr’s previous remastered collection is meant to highlight the better years of Lara Croft’s life, then Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered goes in the other direction. Aside from Tomb Raider 4, it packs two of the worst games in the franchise – Tomb Raider: Chronicles and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. Nevertheless, the team is going all out, vastly improving the character models and visuals, adding a new Fly-by Camera, and even restoring content cut from the sixth game.

It may be a coin toss for those who remember the bad old days. However, if you’re going to experience the most definitive versions, then Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered is worth watching out for when it launches on February 14th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak 2

As the English version of Kuro no Kiseki 2 -CRIMSON SiN-, Trails through Daybreak 2 once again returns to the Republic of Calvard and stars Van Arkride, a morally grey Spriggan. Things are slightly more black and white when a serial killer is on the loose, identified as a massive crimson beast akin to Grendel.

Thus does the investigation begin, but this time, players can select routes with different parties, each with unique gameplay mechanics a la Trails into Reverie. With new combat mechanics like EX Chains and Cross Charge, Trails through Daybreak 2 looks to be a worthwhile follow-up. It’s out on February 14th for PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Lost Records: Bloom and Rage

Despite Tape 2 being delayed to April, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is still set to debut Tape 1 on February 18th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The story jumps between 1995 and 2022 as protagonist Swann enjoys the Summer with best friends Nora, Autumn and Kat. Something dire occurs, however, resulting in the group breaking up and cutting off all communications…until 2022, when their secret comes back to haunt them. Much like DON’T NOD’s other narrative titles, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage promises choices that affect the story, multiple endings, and more than a few mysteries that we can’t wait to unravel.

Avowed

You wouldn’t have thought that this newest RPG would face this many delays, but it’s finally on track to launch on February 18th for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Though set in Eora, the story plays out in the Living Lands, where players control an Aedyr Empire envoy, seeking to stop the Dream Scourge from infesting the land.

Things become complicated when multiple factions come into play, but you’ll have the freedom to find your own way, approaching quests in different ways and recruiting allies to your cause. Avowed is certainly a dark horse compared to all the other titles coming soon, but it could stand out if the writing, combat, and quest design hold up.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s newest spin-off asks an important question: Would Goro Majima not be a manic knife-wielding fighter with a heart of gold if he lost his memory? The answer is no, and he also becomes a captain of a ship and crew for good measure. Spanning various islands, including Honolulu from Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Pirate Yazuka in Hawaii packs new combat mechanics (including jumping attacks), naval combat, crew management, and much more into one massive experience.

And even with all the over-the-top elements, RGG Studio promises an emotional story like previous games. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii arrives on February 21st for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Monster Hunter Wilds

After years of waiting for a true follow-up to Monster Hunter World, the series is finally delivering with Monster Hunter Wilds. Players travel to the Forbidden Lands this time around with new biomes, endemic life and monsters to hunt. Seamless traversal between locales is the biggest change alongside herds and dynamic weather, which morphs the landscape.

Further adding to this free-flowing approach is the ability to set up camp anywhere and start quests without returning to base. The Focus system allows for finer aiming with attacks, while Focus Strikes allow for extra damage when inflicting Wounds on monsters. Whether you’re new to the franchise or poured thousands of hours into World over the years, Monster Hunter Wilds is shaping up to be an unforgettable hunting adventure when it launches on February 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

PGA Tour 2K25

What more could you want in a month packed with role-playing games? A new PGA Tour, apparently. Launching on February 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, PGA Tour 2K25 promises the most immersive MyCareer mode with MyPlayer customization leveraging new Attribute Points and equipment progression. New tournaments like the US Open and PGA Championship debut while seasons promise regular content (that too without expiring, at long last). Between designing courses, experimenting with new shot types, and more, PGA Tour 2K25 could be a decent palate cleanser in this month of blockbusters.

Project Tachyon

The year has already started pretty strong for side-scrolling platformers with Blade Chimera and Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist. Studio N9 seemingly looks to continue that trend with Project Tachyon, a run-and-gun action title with rogue-lite mechanics. As agent Sigma, players venture back in time to halt a nuclear fallout. Armed with ranged and melee weapons, you’ll take on hordes of enemies while selecting from 200+ genes to enhance your abilities (though malicious genes can also pop up and cause harmful effects). With the freedom to select your route, unlock and upgrade weapons, and uncover more about the narrative, Project Tachyon looks like it could be a solid rogue-lite addition.

Rift of the NecroDancer

From dungeon crawling to the beat to a more traditional but still action-heavy rhythm title, Rift of the NecroDancer sees Cadence eliminating monsters on a beatmap. Discovering their unique properties and eliminating them with the right timing is key, and there are more than 30 tracks to groove to. Those seeking a challenge can ramp up the difficulty to Impossible (which, despite the naming, isn’t completely impossible).

There’s even Remix Mode, which concocts a new beatmap when playing a song and daily challenges to compete in for daily leaderboards. Rift of the NecroDancer arrives on February 5th for PC, with a Nintendo Switch release planned for later.

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.