Don't Nod Returns to Roots with Lost Records

When the trailer for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage popped up during The Game Awards, it grabbed everyone's attention. Four teen girls in the summer of '95, having fun and stumbling upon a mysterious force - sounds like a blast from the past, right? That's because Don't Nod is going back to its Life is Strange roots. This new game checks all the boxes: teenagers in the lead, an engaging mystery, and a good dose of human drama. It's like a fresh installment of Life is Strange, but with a twist. The team behind this game includes members from the original Life is Strange crew, which is a big deal. They've tried different things, like Harmony and Jusant, but many fans still miss the classic Don't Nod style. Tell Me Why and Twin Mirror came close, but they didn't quite nail it. Deck Nine's Life is Strange games also had their ups and downs. True Colors hit the emotional jackpot, but Double Exposure missed the mark for some. Now, Lost Records is set to fill that void: it's about teen girls navigating teen drama, love, and identity in two different time periods. Plus, there's a supernatural element that's more abstract than spooky - think Yellowjackets, not Stranger Things. The camcorder the protagonist Swann uses isn't just a gadget; it's how she sees the world, giving players a deeper understanding of her. However, there's a cloud hanging over this exciting release. The games industry has been hit hard by layoffs, and Don't Nod is no exception. They've announced planned layoffs, leading to employee strikes. Let's hope the management listens to their workers' demands and stays true to the new direction they're taking with Lost Records.