The second and final installment of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage—a two-part narrative adventure from the creators of Life Is Strange—is officially out. Released on April 15, 2025, Tape 2: Rage wraps up the story of Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat, four women bound by a life-defining summer in 1995. It’s now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and is a free update for players who purchased the game prior to launch.
A Story That Spans Decades and Dimensions
Set between two timelines—1995 and 2022—the game centers on themes of nostalgia, suppressed trauma, the power of memory, and the unresolved specters of youth. The four protagonists reunite decades after a tragic and mysterious incident fractured their bond. As the story unfolds, players gradually piece together the truth through flashbacks, camcorder recordings, and interactive dialogue.
What begins as a slice-of-life story about a rebellious teen punk band slowly morphs into something darker and more enigmatic. There’s a supernatural undertone reminiscent of Life Is Strange, but Lost Records feels more grounded in the emotional realism of adult regret and the fragility of memory.
Unique Mechanics: Memory as Gameplay
One of the most compelling additions in Tape 2 is the expanded use of Swann’s camcorder. Players can rewind, fast-forward, and edit clips to uncover hidden truths and replay pivotal moments. These recorded memories serve as emotional and narrative anchors—less about puzzle-solving and more about emotional resonance. It’s a novel way to explore how we reconstruct our past and how memory itself can be unreliable.
This mechanic also cleverly ties into the broader message of the game: that our recollections are shaped as much by what we omit as what we remember. By controlling how memories are stitched together, players come to understand how much has been left unsaid among the group—and why.
Critical Response: A Mixed but Memorable Finale
While Tape 1: Bloom was largely praised for its tone and character building, Tape 2 has received a more nuanced reception. Critics agree the story reaches a satisfying and emotional conclusion, but not without caveats.
What critics loved:
- Deep, character-driven storytelling
- Evocative, melancholic soundtrack and voice acting
- Atmospheric visuals, especially the contrast between 90s summer haze and present-day introspection
- The camcorder system as a powerful narrative tool
Where it fell short:
- Less interactivity and more passive storytelling in Tape 2
- Some supernatural plot threads feel unresolved or underexplored
- The pacing slows significantly in the final hour, leaning more into emotional exposition than gameplay
Despite these critiques, most agree that the story leaves a strong emotional impact and feels like a natural evolution of Don’t Nod’s narrative design ethos.
Availability and Formats
If you already own Tape 1, Tape 2 is available as a free update. New players can purchase the full experience as a bundled release. It’s also currently included in the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium libraries, making it accessible to a broader console audience.
Final Thoughts
For fans of emotionally charged, choice-driven stories, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage stands as one of the more mature and introspective titles of 2025. While it may not have the same supernatural flair or interactivity as Life Is Strange, it compensates with a quieter, more contemplative tone that tackles grief, forgiveness, and the enduring scars of adolescence.
If you’re looking for a short but resonant narrative game with emotional weight, Don’t Nod’s latest might just hit the right notes—especially if you still have a few home-recorded VHS tapes gathering dust in the attic.
Key Takeaways
- Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 released April 15, 2025 as a free update for existing game owners.
- The narrative adventure spans two chapters with Tape 1 “Bloom” already available and Tape 2 “Rage” completing the story.
- Created by the original Life is Strange developers, the game follows four teenage friends during a transformative summer in 1995.
Game Overview
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a narrative adventure game that follows four high school girls across two timelines, exploring themes of friendship, music, and coming-of-age experiences. The game blends storytelling with light RPG elements to create an immersive experience.
Theme and Setting
Lost Records takes place in two distinct time periods: 1995 and 2022 in Michigan. The 1995 timeline follows the characters during their formative high school years when they form their punk band and develop deep friendships. This setting captures the essence of 90s nostalgia with appropriate music, fashion, and cultural references.
The 2022 timeline shows the characters reuniting after decades apart, dealing with how their lives have changed. This dual-timeline approach allows players to see how decisions made in youth affect adult life.
The game creates a realistic portrayal of small-town Michigan, with detailed environments that change between the two eras. Players experience the contrasts between the analog world of cassette tapes and the digital present.
Plot and Characters
The story centers on four high school girls who form lasting bonds through their friendship and punk band in 1995. Players witness their journey as they navigate teenage struggles, creative expression, and defining life moments during one pivotal summer.
The narrative contains elements of coming-of-age drama with hints of mystery. When the characters reunite as adults in 2022, they must confront unresolved issues from their past.
While the game includes moments of conflict and emotional tension, it balances these with scenes of joy and camaraderie. The characters are designed with complex personalities and realistic motivations.
The gameplay splits between the two parts: Tape 1 (released February 18, 2025) and Tape 2 (coming April 15, 2025). Together, they complete the story of these characters’ intertwined lives across decades.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage offers players an engaging narrative experience supported by unique gameplay elements that blend adventure and character development. The game’s mechanics focus on relationship building and exploration rather than combat-heavy sequences.
Core Gameplay
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage features exploration-based gameplay where players navigate environments to uncover story elements and character details. Players control four teenage friends investigating mysterious events in their town. Unlike traditional RPGs with complex stat systems, the game emphasizes narrative choices that affect relationships between characters.
The gameplay revolves around interactive dialogue options that shape the storyline. Players can examine objects, solve environmental puzzles, and collect cassette tapes that unlock additional story content.
Time-switching mechanics allow players to experience events in both 1995 and 2025, with choices in the past affecting the future timeline. This creates a branching narrative structure where decisions have lasting consequences.
Combat System
Unlike action-focused titles such as Contra or Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage features minimal traditional combat. Instead, the game implements a “confrontation system” where players navigate tense social situations through dialogue choices and quick-time events.
These confrontations test players’ ability to read social cues and respond appropriately to escalating situations. The system uses a stress meter that rises during intense moments, requiring players to make quick decisions under pressure.
Some sequences feature light defensive mechanics where players must time button presses to avoid physical harm during the more dangerous encounters. These segments are integrated into the narrative rather than existing as separate combat modes.
Development and Production
The development of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage has been a significant undertaking for Don’t Nod, the studio known for narrative-driven games. The project faced several production challenges, including the decision to split the game into two parts and the subsequent delay of Tape 2.
Conceptualization
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage began as an ambitious project to create a coming-of-age narrative featuring four teenage friends in the 1990s who reunite after 27 years. The developers wanted to explore themes of friendship, memory, and the passage of time through an engaging storyline.
Don’t Nod’s experience with narrative games like Life is Strange influenced their approach to Lost Records. The team decided early on to split the game into two distinct “tapes” – Bloom and Rage – to properly develop the character arcs and storyline complexity.
The game’s setting of Velvet Cove, a fictional small town, was created to provide an atmospheric backdrop that would evolve between the two time periods portrayed in the game.
Design
The visual aesthetic of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage combines 90s nostalgia with contemporary gaming technology. The development team invested significant resources in creating authentic period details while ensuring the game remained accessible to modern audiences.
Character designs went through multiple iterations to capture the essence of both teenage and adult versions of the protagonists. This dual-timeline approach presented unique challenges for the art team.
The postponement of Tape 2 from March 18 to April 15, 2025, was necessary to polish gameplay elements and ensure narrative consistency between both parts. This additional development time allowed the team to refine key aspects of the game’s design.
Sound and Music
The audio experience of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage was crafted to authentically capture the 90s music scene while creating an emotional backdrop for the story. The soundtrack features a mix of licensed tracks from the era and original compositions.
The development team collaborated with several musicians who understood the 90s alternative rock scene. This partnership helped create a sonic landscape reminiscent of bands like Blue Prince and Clair Obscur that were influential during that period.
Voice acting sessions for Tape 2 required additional time to ensure performance quality matched the emotional depth of the story’s conclusion. The delay to April 15 allowed the audio team to perfect the sound design, particularly for crucial narrative moments.
Release and Availability
Fans of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will soon have access to the second part of this narrative adventure. Tape 2: “Rage” completes the story that began with Tape 1: “Bloom” released earlier this year.
Launch Date
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 will release on April 15, 2025. This date represents a slight delay from the originally planned March 18 launch. The development team at Don’t Nod made this decision to ensure the highest quality experience for players.
Players who already purchased the game will receive Tape 2 as a free downloadable update. No additional purchase is necessary for those who own Tape 1.
The four-week postponement allows the developers to polish the final product. This careful approach demonstrates their commitment to delivering a complete and refined narrative experience.
Platform Compatibility
Tape 2: “Rage” will be available on multiple platforms simultaneously. The game will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC.
PC players can access the game through various digital storefronts. The game requires modern hardware to run properly, though specific system requirements match those of Tape 1.
Console players on both PlayStation and Xbox ecosystems will enjoy identical content. There are no platform-exclusive features or timed exclusivity deals in place.
PlayStation Plus subscribers may receive special offers related to the game, though no specific promotions have been confirmed yet.
Digital and Retail Versions
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage will primarily be distributed as a digital release across all platforms. Players who purchased the digital version of Tape 1 will automatically receive Tape 2 when it launches.
The game appears in digital storefronts as a complete package. New buyers who purchase after April 15 will get immediate access to both Tape 1 and Tape 2.
Physical retail editions may be available in select regions. These versions will include both parts of the story on a single disc, eliminating the need for large downloads.
Pre-orders remain open for those who haven’t purchased the game yet. Some retailers may offer special bonuses for pre-order customers.
Graphics and Art Style
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage features a distinctive visual approach that blends nostalgia with modern rendering techniques. The game’s art style perfectly captures the essence of high school life in Michigan during the 1990s.
Visual Aesthetics
The game employs a stylized realism that emphasizes emotional storytelling through its visuals. Environmental details like the Michigan forests and small-town settings are rendered with careful attention to period accuracy. The lighting system creates a nostalgic atmosphere with warm golden hues for day scenes and cool blue tones for night sequences.
The developers at Don’t Nod have implemented a visual filter that subtly mimics the look of 90s film photography. This artistic choice helps immerse players in the time period without feeling forced or gimmicky.
Weather effects play an important role in the game’s visual identity. Rainy scenes feature realistic water droplets and reflections, while sunny moments capture the feeling of carefree summer days.
Character Design
The four main high school girls—Beth, Nora, Autumn, and Kat—feature distinctive designs that reflect their personalities. Character models show impressive attention to detail in facial expressions and body language, allowing for nuanced emotional performances.
Clothing styles accurately represent 90s teen fashion with flannel shirts, baggy jeans, and band t-shirts. Each character has a unique silhouette and style that makes them immediately recognizable even from a distance.
Hair and movement animations are particularly impressive, with natural-looking physics that respond to character actions and environmental factors like wind. These details help bring the teenagers to life during both quiet moments and intense scenes.
Facial capture technology delivers subtle emotional cues through eyebrow movements, lip quivers, and eye expressions that convey the complex feelings of the teenage protagonists.
Reception and Critiques
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 has generated significant discussion in gaming communities for its storytelling approach and character development, with critics and players sharing varied perspectives on its gameplay innovations and narrative choices.
Critical Acclaim
Gaming publications have praised Tape 2’s emotional depth and narrative payoff. IGN awarded the conclusion an 8.5/10, highlighting how it “masterfully resolves the mysteries established in Tape 1 while introducing unexpected twists.” Critics particularly noted the improved pacing compared to the first installment.
Several reviewers commended the voice acting performances, with GameSpot calling them “authentically raw” and “crucial to selling the game’s most intense moments.” The visual style received recognition for its distinctive aesthetic that blends nostalgic elements with modern technical capabilities.
The game’s handling of difficult themes earned both praise and scrutiny. While some critics appreciated the mature approach to violence and trauma, others questioned certain narrative choices in the final acts.
Player Feedback
Players have expressed mixed reactions to Tape 2 across social media and gaming forums. Many fans appreciate how the conclusion builds upon the foundation of the first part, with one Reddit thread accumulating over 3,000 comments discussing the emotional impact of specific character arcs.
The game’s pacing has been a point of contention. Some players feel the second tape moves too quickly compared to the deliberate setup of Tape 1. Others praise this contrast as intentional and effective for the storytelling.
Technical performance issues on Xbox Series X/S have been reported by some players, with occasional frame rate drops during intensive sequences. PC players have generally reported smoother experiences with fewer technical issues.
Comparison to other RPGs
While Lost Records maintains narrative adventure elements rather than traditional RPG mechanics, many critics have compared its character development systems to recent RPGs like Fatal Fury: City of Wolves. Both titles emphasize character growth through dialogue choices rather than conventional leveling systems.
The game’s approach to violence differs significantly from combat-focused RPGs. Instead of gamifying conflict, Lost Records portrays violence as consequential and traumatic, which reviewers note creates a more grounded emotional experience.
Players familiar with choice-based narrative games like Detroit: Become Human have noted that Lost Records offers fewer divergent paths but deeper character development. This design choice has sparked discussions about the value of focused storytelling versus player agency in modern narrative games.
Marketing and Promotions
Don’t Nod Entertainment has implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 ahead of its April 15, 2025 release. Their campaign spans multiple channels to build anticipation among gaming enthusiasts.
Trailers and Previews
The marketing team launched a cinematic story trailer for Tape 2: “Rage” in February 2025, showcasing the continuation of the narrative from Tape 1. The trailer revealed new gameplay mechanics and emotional story beats without major spoilers.
Several gaming publications received early access to preview portions of Tape 2, with sites like IGN and GameSpot featuring exclusive gameplay footage. These previews highlighted the enhanced character development compared to Tape 1.
Don’t Nod also produced a developer diary series on YouTube detailing the creative process behind the game’s narrative choices and musical influences. These videos garnered significant attention, with the main Tape 2 developer interview reaching over 500,000 views.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Microsoft featured Lost Records: Bloom & Rage prominently in their spring Xbox showcase, demonstrating enhanced performance on Xbox Series X/S. This partnership included a limited-time promotional bundle with other narrative games.
PlayStation secured a marketing deal offering PS5 players exclusive cosmetic items and a dynamic theme featuring the game’s soundtrack. This aligned with Sony’s strategy of highlighting story-driven experiences like Topspin 2K25.
Don’t Nod collaborated with indie music labels to create a promotional vinyl soundtrack release, available through select retailers. The studio also partnered with Discord to host community events where fans could interact with the development team and discuss theories before Tape 2’s release.
Future of the Series
After the release of Tape 2 “Rage” on April 15, 2025, fans are already speculating about what might come next for the Lost Records franchise. Don’t Nod’s new narrative adventure has created significant buzz in the gaming community.
Sequels and Expansions
Industry insiders suggest Don’t Nod may be considering a follow-up title depending on the commercial success of Bloom & Rage. The developer has a history of creating narrative universes that expand over multiple games, as seen with their Life is Strange series.
No official announcements have been made regarding DLC content beyond the two-part structure of Bloom & Rage. However, the game’s nostalgic 90s setting and coming-of-age story offer rich ground for additional content.
Some gaming analysts compare the potential franchise development to how Rockstar Games has managed their properties. Unlike the long development cycles seen with titles like GTA 6, Don’t Nod typically moves more quickly between releases.
Extended Universe
The Lost Records universe could expand beyond games into other media formats. Don’t Nod’s narrative-focused approach makes the property suitable for adaptation into books, comics, or even television.
The developer has already built a strong foundation with distinctive characters and a compelling setting that could support transmedia storytelling. The 90s aesthetic and musical elements of the game could translate well to other formats.
Fan communities have already begun creating artwork, fiction, and music inspired by the game’s world. This grassroots enthusiasm resembles early fan responses to classic franchises like Contra, which eventually expanded beyond their original scope.
Trademark filings by Don’t Nod hint at possible merchandise and expanded universe content, though the company remains focused on the successful launch of Tape 2 before announcing future plans.
Community and Support
The Lost Records community continues to grow as players eagerly await the release of Tape 2: Rage. Developer Don’t Nod has established multiple channels to engage with fans and provide post-release support.
Fan Engagement
Don’t Nod maintains active social media accounts where they share updates about Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. Players can follow these channels for the latest news about the upcoming Tape 2 release. The official Discord server has become a hub for fans to discuss theories, share artwork, and connect with other players.
Community events are planned around the April 15 launch date. These include developer livestreams where team members will answer questions about the story and gameplay. Fan art contests have already begun, with winners receiving exclusive merchandise.
The Steam community forums are particularly active, with dedicated threads for troubleshooting and gameplay discussions. Console players can find similar communities on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
Post-Release Support
Don’t Nod has committed to providing comprehensive support following Tape 2’s release. A day-one patch will address any outstanding issues from early player feedback. The development team has established a dedicated support portal where players can report bugs and technical problems.
Regular updates are planned for the months following April 15. These will focus on performance improvements and quality-of-life features requested by the community. The game’s roadmap indicates potential content expansions might be considered based on player reception.
For technical assistance, players can access knowledge base articles on the official website. The support team typically responds to inquiries within 24-48 hours. Console-specific issues will be addressed through platform certification updates on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players are eager to learn more about Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 as its release approaches. Here are answers to common questions about the game’s platforms, availability, and purchasing options.
What is the exact release date of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage for PC and console platforms?
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is releasing in two parts. Tape 1 launched on February 18, 2025, across all platforms.
Tape 2 was originally scheduled for March 18, 2025, but has been postponed. The new release date for Tape 2 is April 15, 2025.
Tape 2 will be available as a free download for those who purchased Tape 1.
On which platforms will Lost Records: Bloom & Rage be available?
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
The game will not be released on previous generation consoles such as PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
Don’t Nod, the developer, has focused exclusively on current-generation hardware to deliver the best possible experience.
Will Lost Records: Bloom & Rage be accessible through Xbox Game Pass at launch?
Currently, there has been no official announcement regarding Lost Records: Bloom & Rage being available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
Players interested in accessing the game through subscription services should watch for updates from Don’t Nod or Microsoft.
The game is primarily being marketed as a direct purchase title across all platforms.
How can I pre-order Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and are there any special editions available?
Pre-orders for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage are available through digital storefronts including PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam.
Retailers like GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon may offer physical pre-orders where available.
Information about special or collector’s editions has not been widely shared, but interested players should check the official Don’t Nod website for the most current details.
What is the price range for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage across different platforms?
The standard pricing for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is consistent across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms.
The purchase price includes both Tape 1 and Tape 2, with no additional cost for accessing the second part when it releases on April 15.
Regional pricing may vary slightly based on local currencies and taxes.
Is there an option to purchase a physical copy of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, and if so, where?
Physical editions of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage are being produced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
These physical copies can be purchased from major gaming retailers including GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon.
PC players will need to purchase the game digitally through Steam, as no physical PC version has been announced.
