Bloom & Rage Sets the Stage for a Promising 2025 Double-A Lineup at Lost Records

I often reminisce about a moment from a few years back when I casually mentioned in the comments of an article about video game adaptations of Stephen King stories that a Don’t Nod adaptation of “It” would be my dream project. This thought has been lingering in my mind, especially now with the announcement of “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.” Developed and self-published by Don’t Nod, this game, set to release in early 2025, seems undeniably inspired by King’s 1986 masterpiece about a cosmic spider-clown and the group of determined misfits who confront it.

Now, I don’t want to get too ahead of myself here. I certainly don’t believe anyone at Don’t Nod has been scouring gaming site comments for ideas. But it’s satisfying to see that my knack for envisioning marketable concepts for story-driven adventure games—something I’m both familiar with and passionate about—has some validation. With a few years having passed since the 2017-19 “It” film duo hit theaters, it feels like we’re in the perfect era for spiritual successors of that epic tale to emerge.

In “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage,” we follow a group of four friends across dual timelines: their close-knit teenage years in the ’90s and a present-day reunion in their early forties after 27 years apart. That timeframe, 27 years, might just be a nod to “It” or perhaps a curiously precise coincidence.

The similarities continue as the friends had gone their separate ways following a typical Xennial coming-of-age story, which got interrupted by their discovery of something bizarre in their local woods. While trailers and demos have purposefully kept details under wraps, it’s evident that they find something at the base of a crater that emits an eerie purple glow. You might already be piecing the story together yourself.

At this point, sharing further insights into “Lost Records” is challenging, not least because the marketing has been intentionally enigmatic, focusing on mystery rather than clarity. Even though my earlier predictions about the plot were on point, I’m ready for anything—except the expected—when the game debuts in two episodes over February and March.

“Lost Records” seems crafted precisely for someone with my specific interests, yet it’s not the only game catching my attention as we approach next year. While 2025 might not be filled with major triple-A blockbusters, it’s shaping up to be a goldmine of slightly smaller, yet notable releases that don’t quite fit the indie label.

One standout is “Split Fiction,” a new project from Hazelight and EA Originals. The game features two authors—one in sci-fi, the other in fantasy—trapped within an AI-created version of their invented worlds, courtesy of a seedy publisher. It’s a dream come true for gamers who enjoy couch co-op with their gaming buddies, offering a fresh take on genre-blending that’s bound to surprise us in delightful ways.

In addition to that, we have a few more personal picks coming up: February brings “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2,” the eagerly awaited sequel reminding us just how grueling life as a medieval knight could be. March sees the release of the whimsical city-building sim, “Two Point Museum,” and in April, we anticipate “The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy,” a turn-based tactics game born from a collaboration between the minds behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape. These titles hint at both the diversity and excitement of what’s ahead.

Some years are dominated by massive triple-A releases, while others shine a spotlight on indie games. If 2025 happens to carve out a new path—becoming the year where our nerdy niches get to relish an influx of intriguing double-A titles—then we certainly won’t have any complaints.