Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 is a very tough game to put down, since I have already reviewed it. In February I shared why I loved the first episode of Do not Nod's new game. After finishing Tape 2: Rage and I still feel the same.
A Long Bloom, A Short Rage A Review of Lost Records Latest Tape
I was glad to see that Rage did many of the same things well as Bloom. The second chapter starts right after the first, with the group shocked by a discovery about a girl from 1995, while in 2022 they try to understand a strange package sent to them. This is the best looking game Don’t Nod has made. The writing is still personal and emotional, and Sven remains a great very real-feeling character, especially as the story ends. Switching between third-person and first-person along with the camcorder feature, still feels fresh and unique.
There's nothing particularly to like here compared to Tape 1. Before Lost Records was released, I was curious about how it would work with just two episodes. Most episodic games usually have three to five parts with each part covering a different stage of the story. With only two, Lost Records would likely be completely anticlimactic, with no filler. But it was also prone to mistakes by continuing on an unproven structure.
And that's Tape 2's biggest problem. It is shorter than the first episode which was about seven or eight hours long, so it feels a bit disappointing. While Bloom's stopping point was quite thematically meaningful, Rage would have benefited from a more even distribution. It might not be a big deal for players who play Lost Records: Bloom and Rage all at once. But when you look at this episode by itself it feels short. It only covers the third part of the story, while Tape 1 covered both the first and second parts.
Tape 2 Maintains High Quality A Strong Continuation in Lost Records
The quality is still great, and there are some new things to look forward to this time. It ends with a sequel that I found very interesting. Its conclusion is satisfying. But it also made me feel like there are still more stories to tell in this world. And most importantly, it kept me on the verge of tears for the final 30 minutes. The first episode really drew me in to these characters, and Tape 2 successfully fulfilled that investment.
There are some problems that weren’t in the first Tape. Lost Records did not really need a secret section, but the section presented here is too short. The story ends with a hint that Corey Kat's sister's boyfriend who works for their family might not be as bad as he first seemed. But in Rage. he still feels like a cartoon villain. Some of the answers in the game aren't very satisfying especially if you are hoping for a big mystery. If that's what you are after you might end up disappointed.
But that’s not why I came to this game. Knowing Don’t Nod’s past games. I do not think most players expect a big mystery like something from J.J. Abrams. They are here for the characters just like I was. Ultimately I'd like to give credit to Tape 2 and Lost Records for providing an emotional experience that captures what it felt like to be a teenager even if you were not born in the '90s. Lost Records: Bloom and Rage's second and final episode is a good ending. However and I wish it had more time to explore beyond just tying up loose ends.
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