Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Tape 2

Stronger emotional stakes and faster-paced drama promise an explosive climax that ultimately pulls its biggest punch.

There's much less game in Tape 2, but a strong narrative conclusion is worth seeing. It won't take long, either.

It's rough around the edges in parts, but the overall sentiment is clear. With the story complete, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is dazzling.

lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 completes a tale earnestly told, but falls back on some stale twists and turns in its final moments.

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.

A solid second part to a great experience

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.

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.

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 Don’t Nod indeed.

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. 📼