Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 Reviews
Don't Nod returns to its roots with a story split between past and present that shines in character development and atmosphere, but suffers from dilated pacing and a rushed resolution to the central mystery.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 answers some questions and fails to deliver on other plot points. Although it provides a lot of optional endings and you learn more about Kat's life, the abundant glitches make it an only somewhat satisfying ending to the summer of '95. đŒ
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is not a story-driven adventure game, but rather a visual novel that guides the player through several essential and complex themes very well. Its greatest strength remains its four main characters, with whom you will form a relationship through dialogue choices and, sometimes unknowingly, easily influence the plot. The title, however, not only fails to elevate the title's gameplay, which is even less present in the second chapter than in the first, but also fails to create any satisfying conclusion to the plot, which is, moreover, quite unnecessarily riddled with supernatural elements. While you won't regret playing it, you probably won't celebrate it.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage just might be one of the worst games Iâve ever finished in a long time, but that might be due to the kind of person that I am. I love most of the Life is Strange games and a majority of games in the same vain that Donât Nod is responsible for, but this was not one of them. I personally think women or just people who might relate more to Swannâs character will have a greater appreciation for what this game represents, but considering my struggles with how to shape the character, I feel like a lot of other people will have the same issues.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a beautiful experience. Noticeably struggling from a technical point of view, it still manages to impress with its gameplay, sincerity, messages and some of the most emotional scenes I have seen in a videogame in recent years. These features were vastly misunderstood by the public, but the truth is that, similarly to the protagonists, Iâm not going to forget the Events of â95 that easily.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Lost Records: Bloom and Rage - Tape 2 is a solid continuation of Tape 1, offering emotional depth and an atmosphere that pulls you in. However, pacing issues and the underwhelming supernatural elements hold it back from being truly great.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage crafts an introspective journey through memory, friendship, and remorse. Though its art and music shine, the predictable narrative falls short of the studio's signature depth, delivering a weaker emotional impact. Still, narrative game enthusiasts will find value in this experience.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Thanks to a brisker pace and slightly shorter runtime, I found myself enjoying Tape 2 a bit more than Tape 1. It feels more exciting and engaging, and even the modern day parts pay off finally as we get to the bottom of the mystery that was frustratingly teased throughout the last episode. As a whole, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is one of the better choose your own adventure style games in recent years, and a welcome return for Donât Nod indeed.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 doesnât close the book on the tale of the four girls from Velvet Cove in the best of ways, but the issues with this finale donât cancel out the narrativeâs extremely high quality and certainly donât diminish the splendor of Tape 1. Even though itâs a little dire sometimes, the sum of both parts is still one of the best adventure games of the year.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
That sentiment holds even stronger now with Tape 2âs release. DONâT NOD has managed to wrap up a deeply personal story with care, thoughtfulness, and creative storytelling. And while it may not be for players looking for fast-paced gameplay, those seeking something meaningful, reflective, and moving will find something special here.
Lost Records: Rage is the conclusion to what Bloom had set up in the previous release. While the game isn't perfect, it settles into the themes of consequences and emotion that surpass both Life is Strange and Bloom.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a visually gorgeous slog of a game that lacks a plot until over halfway through and characters that no amount of cute hangouts could make me like.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 is exactly what I needed it to be. From tying all the stories together and making me feel super connected to the characters, to bringing the big mystery to a close, I was quite happy with it. Where this franchise goes from here is anyoneâs guess, but after this I do hope Donât Nod continues it. Lost Records has proven that Donât Nod is one of the premier studios when it comes to narrative and character building in video games.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2 manages to take the concepts from the first tape and turn them completely inside out emotionally. The mood is completely different and many of the previously mundane activities now promote a new melancholic view of them. The gameplay takes a back seat and even stagnates, but the story now bears bittersweet fruit.
Review in German | Read full review
Lost Records is certainly enjoyable depending on whether you get the true ending or not. Its resolution is brief but wonderful, and despite a poorly executed second chapter that led to it, itâs a package of two episodes that waver greatly in their quality. Bloom did a great job at building the bonds between the girls, but Rage fumbles so much of its potential to get to its ending.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Don't Nod's latest episodic game, delivers a moving two-part story in the spirit of Life is Strange. It follows four women reuniting in their hometown, weaving 1990s nostalgia with present-day reckoning and hints of magical realism. The first episode is warm and reflective, while the second takes a darker turn, confronting past trauma. Strong writing and an inventive dialogue system shine, though technical issues, especially on PC, slightly dampen the experience. Still, itâs a compelling narrative that sets a strong foundation for future entries.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
The second chapter of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage had a mix of high moments that made it worthwhile to play and low moments that made me wish Donât Nod had returned to the drawing board. The first chapter, despite its major flaws, introduces the player to an interesting story and a unique mechanic that allows you to record your adventures and relive the 90s era. Unfortunately, the second chapter does little to improve upon what the narrative team set up in the first chapter and leads the player off a narrative cliff into an abyssal void.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (Tape 2) delivers a moving and carefully crafted continuation of its story, building on the emotional groundwork of Tape 1 while refining its mechanics. Though the unanswered mysteries may leave some players wanting more, the character growth, visual callbacks, and emotional weight offer a satisfying, immersive journey. Itâs a must-play for anyone who loves character-driven storytelling, rich atmosphere, and narrative games that arenât afraid to challenge your expectations.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2: Rage delivers a ton of power in its exploration of fear, death, and friendship. It doesnât always bring its elements together smoothly, but when it does, it delivers a summer that you will never forget.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage captures its dual eras perfectly while delivering an emotional story with new elements, even if bugs and poor writing decisions drag it down in the second half.