DON’T NOD’s latest narrative gem reaches its emotional crescendo as Tape 2 releases today, wrapping up a tale of friendship, mystery, and memory.
If you’ve been following along since Tape 1 dropped earlier this year, you’ll know that Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is one of the most heartfelt and subtly powerful narrative games of the year. Created by the story-driven minds at DON’T NOD Montréal, this two-part adventure invites players to explore the lives of four teenage girls whose lives are forever changed by a mysterious event in the summer of 1995—and whose memories come flooding back 27 years later.
With Tape 2, titled “Rage”, out today as a free update for all current owners, we finally get the second half of the story—and it’s a haunting, emotional ride well worth the wait.
👉 Read our full review of Tape 1 here: The Big Bois Review – 9/10
Two Tapes. One Story. All Heart.
Tape 1 introduced us to Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat—four girls bound together by a summer of music, rebellion, and secret late-night conversations in a seemingly sleepy town. But behind that coming-of-age surface was a creeping tension, both emotional and supernatural, that DON’T NOD slowly unraveled over the course of several poignant hours.
Tape 2 wastes no time picking up after the first tape’s jaw-dropping conclusion. Now set fully in 2022, the girls—now women—are forced to finally confront the memories they’ve spent decades suppressing. It’s darker. It’s heavier. And it leans further into the supernatural underpinnings teased in Tape 1. If Tape 1 was about discovery, Rage is about reckoning.
From Bloom to Rage – What Tape 2 Brings to the Table
With Rage, DON’T NOD escalates the emotional stakes and narrative tension in big ways:
- More Complex Themes: Where Bloom was all about growing up and forming bonds, Rage is about loss, truth, trauma, and the personal cost of burying the past. It’s an emotionally raw experience that pulls no punches.
- Supernatural Mystery Deepens: Without spoiling too much, the eerie undertones of Tape 1 erupt into full-blown paranormal strangeness here. Think Twin Peaks meets Life is Strange—but with DON’T NOD’s own unique tone.
- Expanded Mechanics: While the core remains rooted in narrative exploration, players will find new dialogue paths, interaction sequences, and memory-based puzzles to navigate. The dual timeline structure is used to great effect as the adult versions of the girls literally revisit scenes from their teenage years.
- Outstanding Voice Work and Music: The performances remain stellar, and Tape 2’s updated original soundtrack—now with eight new tracks—is just as evocative as ever. You can stream or purchase the full OST now on all major platforms, or pre-order the limited-edition vinyl here.
Free Update, Launch Discounts, and a Retail Edition
If you already own Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, you can download Tape 2 right now as a free update across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam/Epic Games Store). For new players, both Tapes are now bundled into one seamless experience.
To celebrate the full launch, DON’T NOD is offering 15% off the game on:
- Steam (Until April 23)
- Xbox Series X|S (Until April 21)
- PlayStation 5 (Until April 23, even for non-PS Plus members)
Additionally, the physical PlayStation 5 retail edition is now available for pre-order thanks to a partnership with Maximum Entertainment. You can check your favorite local retailers to secure a copy.
A Game That Resonates Long After the Credits Roll
In our review of Tape 1, we wrote:
“If you’ve ever felt changed by a game like Life is Strange, Gone Home, or Firewatch, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is going to resonate with you. It’s not trying to be flashy. It’s simply a beautiful, emotionally rich game about friendship, memory, and the quiet weight of growing up.“
That sentiment holds even stronger now with Tape 2’s release. DON’T 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: Bloom & Rage is not just a spiritual successor to Life is Strange—it’s proof that DON’T NOD’s narrative prowess is alive and well. With both tapes now available, this is the perfect time to dive into one of 2025’s most emotionally rich and narratively ambitious games.