My 2025 was definitely the year of Bloom & Rage. (With a side of Clair Obscur.)

Thirty years ago today...

Arrived just in time to close out Pride Month. Hell yeah.

Anyone else ever get a goofy idea and lose half a day working on it for no reason other than your own amusement?
Asking for a friend...
#LostRecords

If I may be allowed to mix media for a moment: When my time comes, San Junipero me into Velvet Cove.

If Heaven is a place on Earth, I'll see you in Hell.

#BlackMirror #LostRecords

The Blue Spruce is such a gorgeous setting. Side characters coming and going, signs and photos adorning the walls, graffiti here and there... It feels old and familiar. Inviting. A comforting character all its own.

I'm more than my current hyperfixation (Lost Records: Bloom & Rage), so here are a few other games I particularly enjoy, in no particular order:

📹Life is Strange (+BtS)
📹Chrono Trigger
📹Final Fantasy VI
📹Grandia
📹GRIS
📹Final Fantasy XIV
📹ICO
📹Outer Wilds
📹Sayonara Wild Hearts
📹The Legend of Dragoon

Despite one semi-major but ultimately inconsequential bug, I can safely say that Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is my favorite Don't Nod game and current frontrunner for Game of the Year.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go rehydrate before starting again.

Before I go dark to avoid spoilers: To everyone that worked on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage... The love and care you've all put into every single detail has made this story nothing short of magical. From the mysterious abyss to the pop sticker on the back of the tv, I appreciate you all. Thank you. <3

Maybe it's just me, but I do kind of wish there was a character playlist for Dylan. The music selections of the main four add a level of insight into their personalities beyond what's seen in game, and I think that Dylan, out of all the side characters, might have the most left to tell.

"The voices are old and young. They are watching. They remember everything and nothing. They are shadows of what used to be. They want to come back, but they're afraid." -Swann Holloway, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Tape 1.

I absolutely love the additional playlists created for the girls of Lost Records. While Nora’s playlist had the most “I HAVE to add this to my likes!” tracks, most of Swann’s was already IN my likes, sooo… yeah. I guess musically I’m a Swann. I’m okay with this.

So Lost Records isn't set in the same universe as Life is Strange, but there is no doubt in my mind that if the actual Life is Strange game exists in their world, then both Autumn and Swann have absolutely played it.

Truth... or dare?

I don’t want to become insufferable, but Lost Records gave me a photo mode that I damn sure made use of. Perhaps in time.

I already have enough empty notebooks irl; there’s no reason to have a digital one, too. Just rip the band-aid off and say something.
Remember: Not everything has to be perfect or witty.