Epic Monster Hunts and Teen Dramas Aplenty

Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC

Objective: Enhance my skills as an emerging filmmaker

Wow, the character faces in this game are so strikingly lifelike. Their humanity shines through—every emotion, every nuance is on display, making them as compelling as real people. I’m only a few hours into “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage,” the latest creation from the brilliant minds at Don’t Nod, famous for “Life Is Strange,” and I’m hooked. The game carries the same heartfelt essence of exploring teenage life with all its awkwardness and vivid emotions but adds a unique twist. You experience these characters not just in their teenage years but also in their 40s, reflecting on a crucial summer from the ’90s. As someone who was a teen in the ’90s and is now in my 40s, I’m genuinely excited to see how this dual timeline perspective unfolds.

In the game, you step into the shoes of Swann, a young filmmaker. What I absolutely adore is how you get to use her camcorder to shoot footage and then craft these into montages. There’s a raw, genuine quality to it that resonates—it’s like watching Swann explore her creativity without being bogged down by self-doubt or the need for perfection. That’s precisely the kind of freedom teens should embrace to evolve into true artists. The ambiance of the game is spot on, too. It’s one of those experiences where you just want to live in its world. I’m still piecing together where the story will lead, but I’m set to dive deeper into Lost Records this weekend to unravel the mysteries of that long-ago summer. — Carolyn Petit