A few years back, I casually dropped a comment on an article I penned about video game adaptations of Stephen King stories, musing about how a Don’t Nod version of “It” would be a dream come true. Lately, that thought has popped up again, especially after the announcement of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. This upcoming self-published title from Don’t Nod is set to release in early 2025, and I can’t help but notice its nods to King’s classic tale from 1986, where a bizarre spider-clown from space terrorizes a quirky group of kids turned heroes.
Now, let me clarify before anyone accuses me of tooting my own horn. I don’t really believe someone at Don’t Nod has been browsing gaming site comments for creative direction. It’s just amusing to see solid evidence that I might have a knack for spotting compelling ideas for narrative-driven games—a genre I’m deeply passionate about. Plus, with some time now passed since the It remake captivated audiences from 2017 to 2019, it seems just about right for some spiritual successors inspired by that iteration to start emerging.
In Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, players are taken on a journey with four friends through two distinct timelines: their teenage years in the 90s as social misfits, contrasted with their reunion in their early middle age after being apart for 27 years. This exact timeframe is either a direct homage to It or an interestingly precise coincidence.
Further drawing parallels, these friends went their separate ways after their somewhat typical Xennial growing-up saga was interrupted by a peculiar find in the local woods. What exactly is lurking there has been artfully hidden in all the teasers and demos, but it’s described as lying at the bottom of a crater, emitting an eerie purple glow. Feel free to connect the dots yourself on that one!
Right now, it’s a challenge to dive deeper into what Lost Records may eventually reveal, and I suspect this lingering mystery is entirely intentional. With its enigmatic marketing approach, the game, split into two parts releasing over February and March, keeps us guessing beyond what we think we might foresee.
Lost Records seems almost eerily designed to captivate someone with my exact tastes, yet it isn’t the sole game cranking up my anticipation for early next year. The 2025 calendar is shaping up nicely with a slew of smaller, yet notable releases rather than the colossal triple-A spectacles. For instance, I’m eagerly watching for Split Fiction, an intriguing collaboration between Hazelight and EA Originals. This game spins a tale of two writers—one of science fiction, the other of fantasy—trapped within an AI-generated mashup of their invented realms. It’s a title that promises to remind us couch co-op still has a pulse, and its bold genre crossover dips into uncharted creative waters.
Plus, we can look forward to more treasures like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 hitting in February, heralding the return of the RPG that awkwardly but authentically reminded us just how gritty medieval knighthood was. Then there’s Two Point Museum in March, which promises more zany civic management antics, and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, a tactical venture from the brains behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape, ready to roll out in April. These picks just skim the surface of what’s to come next year, showcasing both the variety and scope on offer.
Some years are dominated by big-budget blockbusters while others champion indie gems. If 2025 unfolds as the year where everyone gets their fill of quirky AA games that cater to our unique nerdy interests, it feels like we’ll have plenty of reasons to celebrate.
