Lost Records Tape 2 Delves into Dark Supernatural Themes on April 15 – PlayStation.Blog

The first episode of Don’t Nod’s narrative adventure, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, left players hanging on the edge of their seats — it ended with an intense discovery of something potentially sinister and a shocking revelation about one of the main characters. As anticipation builds for the second episode, or "tape," fans are eager to see how these mysteries will unfold when Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 2 debuts on April 15 as part of the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.

To get a better understanding of the game’s ambitions and to peek into what lies ahead for Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat, I had a chat with Michel Koch, the Creative Director at Don’t Nod’s Montreal studio.

You Oughta Know

Koch was excited to explain how this new experience will differ from the first. “The first Tape, ‘Bloom’, represents the sunny beginnings of summer, where you connect with friends,” he shared. “But Tape 2, titled ‘Rage’, delves into the aftermath of the dramatic cliffhanger at Tape 1’s end. Initially, we wanted players to enjoy forming bonds with the group while teasing a bit of the strange occurrences, like finding the clearing or encountering the abyss. It’s a story about four girls having an adventurous summer before Swann moves away.”

Koch went on, “Tape 2 leans more into the stranger aspects. We know the summer’s events but not why these friends promised to never meet again. We’re aware of the mysterious box and Kat’s part, yet the full fallout of this revelation is unknown. The challenge lies in maintaining a normal summer with friends amid bizarre discoveries in the woods."

Koch’s passion for blending the supernatural with character-driven storytelling came through. “I enjoy weaving the supernatural and surreal into the narrative. This approach sets a darker, more intriguing tone while keeping the focus on the characters. It will play a significant role in resolving the story.”

Continuing the conversation, Koch mentioned that this episode will pick up the pace. “Tape 2 is definitely faster. We’ve seen what happened with Kat and the concert’s aftermath; now, Swann must grapple with the tension, even with no personal fault, of endangering friends. The story zips through August towards its climax, adding urgency and raising stakes.”

Koch also highlighted how players’ prior choices will start to ripple through the plot. “Your interactions, the friendships you nurtured, even the choices during the ritual or at the abyss — they’ll all have consequences. Whether you chose confrontation or caution in dealings with characters like Corey and Dylan will shape Tape 2’s narrative.”

Girls on Film

One standout feature in Tape 1 was Swann’s ever-present camcorder, allowing players to capture moments in Velvet Cove, Michigan. This tool not only collected in-game items but also enabled players to create mini-movies. In Tape 2, the camcorder’s significance grows.

Koch explained, “We’ve expanded its role. The camcorder becomes Swann’s ‘weapon’ and ‘protective barrier.’ It adds an exciting layer to gameplay reminiscent of filming in the 90s. In Tape 2, it’ll be crucial for solving puzzles and unlocking clues. There’s an intriguing twist involving the camcorder and your videos that I don’t want to spoil. It will weave your filming choices into the storyline, hopefully resonating with players.”

As for puzzles, Koch confirmed Tape 2 offers more than its predecessor. “There are puzzles I love in Tape 2, particularly narrative puzzles that combine interactions, exploration, and dialogue. These puzzles not only rely on object discovery but also on understanding characters and deftly using dialogue and the camcorder.”

Tonight, Tonight

What about the story thread where the friends reunite in a bar decades later? Koch assured this portion remains central. “This segment still unfolds mostly in the bar. There’s the need to unlock the past’s secrets and unfold what’s in the box. We’ve crafted four main ending variations based on past choices, which wrap up with revealing more about the town 27 years later.”

Koch elaborated that this setting was foundational to the game’s concept. “The initial idea centered on reuniting with old friends, igniting discussions steeped in nostalgia, and seeing if connections remain. The bar serves as the perfect locale to force these intimate conversations, where memory and reality intertwine.”

As our chat wound down, I asked Koch if he had any final thoughts for the fans. “To those who played Tape 1, thank you. I hope Tape 2 fulfills your expectations, surprises you, and that you’re satisfied with how relationship and moral choices evolve. Newcomers, I hope you’ll find the characters engaging and enjoy diving into this story and the vibrant summer it paints.”

Tape 2 is set to continue Lost Records’ engaging journey, melding personal choice with captivating narrative at every twist and turn.