Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1: Review (PS5)

Spoiler

Honestly, this game sucks.

 

I went into Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (affiliate link) totally blind. I didn't know what this game is about, and what kind of game it is. I only knew that it's from the same company that brought us Life is Strange, and that should have been my first warning.

 

 

What was my first problem with this game?

Bullies.

What this obsession with bullies? Why there always has to be bullies in Don't nod's games? But no, mean and evil bullies are there to ruin everyone's day, and life. And game. And mental health. I can't stand bullies. I have been traumatized by bullies in real life, so I need to avoid games with this theme.

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Synopsis 

This game is about a woman named Swann, who returns to her hometown after a long absence. Then the story goes back to the summer of 1995, when loner Swann meets new friends, while fighting against a common enemy.

Then something happened to Swann and her friends. But what? It takes forever to get to that point in the story. In fact, you never get anywhere in Tape 1. 

Recording footage with Swann's video camera is a big part of the game. So if you don't enjoy that kind of game mechanic (like I don't), don't play Lost Records.

 

 

 

What's in the box?

The reason for the girls' reunion 27 years later is a mystery box, adressed to their punk rock band Bloom & Rage.

You won't find out what's in the box in Tape 1. So don't bother to play Lost Records until Tape 2 is released. Tape 1 is just big set up, without any reward. You don't get any answers to your questions.

 

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Romance 

What I hate about this game that it tries to force lesbian romance everywhere, and literally with everyone. Well, if all the males in the story are assholes, then that's understandable. But if you are looking for heterosexual romance, you certainly won't find it here.

I wholeheartedly recommend this game to those players who enjoy girl on girl romance, walking simulators, long and endlessly boring summer days, and so called character development without anything ever actually happening. 

This game was clearly made for female audiences.

 

Cats in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Right from the start of the game cats are prominent in this game. Even the first trophy is about naming your cat. And I think that by naming the cat you also decide that cat's fur color. I named mine Snowy, and the cat is white. Just like my late cat Olivia...

 

 

You can pet the cat multiple times, and many ways. Why would Swann even ever want to leave her room, when she has her best friend there? I'd much rather spend time with Snowy, than those girls...

 

 

For story progress reasons, you have to feed the cat. You can even call the vet, but luckily there's nothing wrong with Snowy. He does look a little weird, or should I say old.

 

 

In present day, Swann has another cat, called Casper.

 

 

Besides an actual cat there are also other cat references in the game, and I loved it.

 

 

Summary

 

Cons

-extremely boring game

-bullies

-unpleasant all around

-forced lesbianism

 

Pros

-cat(s)

 

Stars

1/5, and that one star is only because of the cat. 

I thought I'd never write these words but don't bother with Blood & Rage, go play Life is Strange (affiliate link) instead. At least there you can meet with the charming Mr. Jefferson.

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is free to play on Playstation Plus Extra.

 

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Game Guide (affiliate link)

 

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 Gameplay

 

 

Warning

At least on Playstation there's a game breaking bug, which can delete your savefile. It's recommended NOT to play this game until a patch to fix this bug has been released. 

And because of story reasons, I wouldn't recommend playing Tape 1 until Tape 2 has been released.

 

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 Release Date

April 15, 2025. Also the second part will be for free on Playstation Plus Extra. 

 

I had absolutely no interest to pay and play the second part of the story, Tape 2. But since it's free I'm gonna have to suffer through it. If I'm still alive then.

 

So see you in hell (affiliate link)! (Besides the cat there's one other thing I did enjoy about this game: the song which is a curse against bullies!)

 

Concrete Genie: Game review (PS5)

A few years ago I fell in love with Playstation Plus' game Concrete Genie (affiliate link). This little gem about a boy being bullied by his schoolmates should't have had that effect on me. 

 

 

Concrete Genie bullies

In general this topic traumatizes me. Bullying is the reason why I didn't like Life Is Strange. That is the reason why I couldn't play as the killer in my all time favorite game, Friday the 13th: The Game.

So why Concrete Genie managed to steer clear of that trauma?

The reason must be the adorable spirits, the Genies. I can't get enough of them. I'm totally in love with them. I could spend hours just watching them.

 

 

 

Concrete Genie video game

In Concrete Genie you play as a boy called Ash, who is living near a dark town of Denska. Some time ago something terrible happened to Denska, and darkness consumed it. But now Ash finds a magic paintbrush, and he is then able to bring the town back to light. With his new friends, the genies. 

Say no to Move

By default on Playstation the game's setting has the painting minigame on Move motion function. If you hate Move as much as I do, be sure to change that setting. Then the painting is done with the right stick, and it's much easier that way. 

Ugh, I had so much trouble with Heavy Rain because of this stupid Move.

 

Is Concrete Genie worth it?

I can't recommend this game enough. I love it, or should I say the genies, too much. 

But there are some cons too.

I don't like the fighting against monsters towards the end, especially the big boss.

Hint: You can change the game's difficulty to easy. That's what I did.

Also way too often I'm having trouble seeing which designs the genies are requesting. That's so frustrating, for both the genies and the player. 

 

 

How long is Concrete Genie?

Concrete Genie is a relatively short game. My second playthrough took about 5 hours.

 

Cats in Concrete Genie

Yes, there are cats in this game. Or to be honest, I don't know if it's always the same cat. It probably is.

 

You can pet the cat, and the genies can pet the cat. So freaking adorable, both genies and the cat.

 

 

Is Concrete Genie free to play?

Concrete Genie is available for free on Playstation Plus Extra.

 

Concrete Genie gameplay (PS5)

Here's some of my Concrete Genie gameplay on Youtube: