Lost Records Bloom & Rage Walkthrough: Choices, Endings, Secrets

In 2025, narrative-driven gaming reached a new high with Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, a two-part adventure from DON’T NOD, the studio behind Life is Strange. Set against the backdrop of a 1995 summer, it follows four teenage girls in a punk band as their friendships are tested by a mysterious event they vow never to speak of again. This guide delivers a deep dive into the game’s choices, endings, and secrets, ensuring you can navigate every branching path with confidence.

Introduction

If you’ve played Life is Strange, you already know DON’T NOD’s knack for emotionally charged storytelling and impactful player decisions. Lost Records: Bloom & Rage pushes that philosophy further, offering a layered experience where every dialogue choice can ripple into future consequences. The narrative is framed by the nostalgic yet turbulent atmosphere of the mid-90s, blending themes of friendship, trust, rebellion, and mystery. From the moment you hit play, the game draws you into a vivid world of cassette tapes, garage rehearsals, and late-night conversations under streetlights.

What sets Lost Records apart is the meticulous design of its branching storylines. Players are already calling it one of the most replayable narrative games of 2025, thanks to its multiple romance options, hidden content, and dynamic relationship system. Every player’s journey feels personal, as subtle differences in tone or timing can lead to dramatically different outcomes. The game doesn’t just ask you to make choices—it challenges you to live with them.

In this walkthrough, we’ll break down each major choice, explore all possible endings, uncover secret scenes, and share expert tips to help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re aiming for a specific relationship outcome, hunting every collectible, or just trying to avoid spoilers while still playing smart, this guide is for you. We’ll also touch on strategies for maximizing replay value, so you can experience every facet of the game’s rich narrative without losing its emotional impact.

" Lost Records thrives on emotional nuance. No choice is trivial; even seemingly small comments ripple into later chapters. "

— Neoseeker Guide

We’ll also integrate insights from the gaming community, offer strategies for replay value, and link to related guides that enhance your understanding of narrative choice systems in modern games. As you read, think of this not just as a set of instructions, but as a companion to help you navigate the emotional highs and lows of Kat, Autumn, and the rest of the band.

Main Section 1: Understanding Core Gameplay Mechanics

At its heart, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a choice-based narrative adventure split into two tapes: Bloom and Rage. The first tape focuses heavily on establishing relationships among Kat, Autumn, and the other band members, while the second will expand on the consequences of those choices. The developers have deliberately crafted mechanics that intertwine player agency with emotional stakes, ensuring that your actions feel meaningful from start to finish.

Key mechanics include:

• Dialogue Trees: Multi-branch conversations that adapt based on prior decisions. For example, a casual remark in Chapter 3 might unlock or block a heartfelt confession in Chapter 18.
• Relationship Stats: A visible tracker at the end of Tape 1 showing your closeness to each character. These stats aren’t just numbers—they reflect trust, loyalty, and the emotional tone of your interactions.
• Collectibles: Items like recordings, photos, and mementos that unlock flashback sequences. Collectibles often reveal backstory elements that can reframe how you interpret certain events.
• Environmental Exploration: Moving through spaces like the band’s garage, the local diner, or forest trails often presents opportunities for hidden interactions.

These elements combine to create a gameplay loop that rewards careful listening, emotional intelligence, and exploration. DON’T NOD’s signature pacing ensures that you have time to absorb the consequences of your choices before moving forward.

Understanding these systems early will help you plan your playthrough strategically. For instance, knowing that missing a collectible can lock you out of a flashback means you might choose to explore every corner before triggering the next scene. Similarly, managing relationship stats with intent can lead to exclusive arcs in Tape 2, making each decision point a calculated risk.

Main Section 2: Navigating Choices in Tape 1 – Bloom

Tape 1 is all about laying the groundwork. Your decisions here will carry over to Tape 2, so every interaction matters. The tone of your relationships and the paths available later are largely determined by the foundation you build during Bloom. This is where the game tests your ability to read between the lines, understand character motivations, and anticipate emotional fallout.

Some pivotal moments:

• Chapter 5: Choosing whether to support Kat in a heated argument changes her trust level. Support boosts her confidence and keeps her open to confiding in you later, while opposing her can introduce tension that reshapes your dynamic.
• Chapter 12: Deciding to investigate a suspicious event unlocks a hidden dialogue path later. Ignoring it keeps certain secrets buried but might protect relationships from strain.
• Chapter 25: Taking blame vs. letting Kat take blame alters relationship dynamics significantly. Taking the fall can deepen bonds with some characters while alienating others who value honesty.

Strategies:

• Aim for balanced relationships to keep more narrative options open. Over-investing in one character too early can close off other routes.
• Remember that avoiding certain conversations can sometimes protect secrets. Silence can be as powerful as words in shaping trust.
• Keep notes on key interactions, especially those involving multiple characters in the same scene, as these often influence group dynamics.

Tape 1 also introduces early hints about the mysterious event. How you respond to these hints—whether with curiosity, skepticism, or avoidance—will color how Tape 2 unfolds. Think of Bloom as the prologue that sets the emotional stakes for the rest of the story.

Main Section 3: Unlocking Romance Options

Romance in Lost Records isn’t a straightforward path. Certain choices across multiple chapters must align to trigger these routes, and timing is critical. The game treats romance as a natural extension of trust and shared experiences, rather than a checklist of flirtatious options.

Example:

• Consistently showing empathy to Autumn while backing her in key decisions can unlock her romance arc. This might involve choosing dialogue that validates her feelings, supporting her creative ideas for the band, and standing by her during conflicts.
• Conversely, taking a confrontational approach closes off these options. Even one or two harsh responses can be enough to redirect her arc away from romance.

Other romance possibilities require balancing interactions with multiple characters. Pursuing one route often means sacrificing closeness with another, as emotional tensions rise within the group. For instance, deepening a bond with Kat might make Autumn more guarded, subtly shifting her responses.

" You can make so many choices. Why would you let someone else make them for you? This is a game to savor and replay. "

— Leaf & Core

To unlock romance options, pay attention to non-verbal cues—body language, tone changes, and pauses in dialogue often signal emotional openings. Also, remember that romance arcs can influence endings, sometimes leading to unique epilogues or scenes that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

Main Section 4: Secrets and Hidden Content

Secrets range from hidden dialogue to entirely new scenes unlocked by collectibles. These pieces of hidden content often provide crucial context for the game’s central mystery, and in some cases, they can completely alter how you perceive a character’s motivations.

Tips:

• Always explore every area thoroughly before advancing the story. Some secrets are only available during specific windows of time in a chapter.
• Pay attention to background objects; some trigger flashback sequences. A seemingly ordinary poster in the garage might lead to a memory sequence revealing a pivotal past event.
• Optional tasks, like fixing a broken guitar, can lead to bonus cutscenes revealing more about the summer’s dark event. Completing these tasks often requires finding multiple items or speaking to certain characters first.

Hidden content can also include alternate versions of scenes based on prior actions. For example, a conversation about the band’s future might change dramatically if you’ve uncovered a certain collectible earlier. The reward for thorough exploration is a richer, more layered narrative experience.

Main Section 5: Relationship Stats and Their Impact

The Relationship Stats screen at the end of Tape 1 is more than just a summary; it’s a roadmap for Tape 2. Each character’s stat reflects a blend of trust, loyalty, and emotional closeness, shaped by dozens of micro-decisions throughout Bloom.

High trust levels with certain characters open exclusive story branches. These branches can lead to confessions, alliances, or even protective actions in high-stakes moments. Conversely, low trust can lead to betrayal or missed opportunities, with some characters withholding key information when you need it most.

For example, a strong bond with Kat might allow you to access her private journal in Tape 2, revealing clues about the mystery. On the other hand, a fractured relationship could result in her actively working against you. Understanding how these stats function allows you to plan for specific narrative outcomes.

Main Section 6: Replay Strategies for Multiple Endings

With multiple endings, replay value is high. Players report needing at least three playthroughs to see all major outcomes, and completionists often aim for five or more to uncover every variant.

Strategies:

• First run: Play naturally, making choices based on instinct and emotional response.
• Second run: Make opposite choices to see how drastically the story changes. This often reveals hidden branches you might have missed.
• Third run: Target specific secret scenes by following collectible guides and focusing on relationship extremes.
• Subsequent runs: Experiment with mixed strategies, such as maxing out one relationship while neglecting another, to see nuanced variations in endings.

Replay planning is essential if you want to experience all the game’s content. Keeping a choice log can help track which decisions lead to which outcomes, making targeted replays more efficient.

Main Section 7: Community Insights and Trends

The community has embraced Lost Records, producing detailed choice maps, interactive flowcharts, and streaming high-quality walkthroughs. These resources make it easier for new players to navigate the game’s complexity without losing the emotional impact of discovery.

Popular trends:

• Speedrunning romance routes: Players attempt to unlock romance arcs in record time, often bypassing other story elements.
• Spoiler-free guided runs: Streamers walk audiences through early chapters without revealing major plot twists.
• Collectible completion challenges: Dedicated fans aim to find every hidden item in a single run, often sharing maps and screenshots.

Community discussions often highlight the emotional resonance of certain scenes, with players debating the morality of key decisions. These conversations add depth to the game’s replay culture, encouraging players to see the story from multiple perspectives.

Main Section 8: Related Guides to Expand Your Skills

If you enjoy mastering complex choice systems, you’ll find value in exploring guides for other narrative or strategy-heavy games. The skills you develop in Lost Records—such as tracking branching paths, managing relationships, and maximizing replay value—translate well to other titles.

• Check out our Commandos: Origins Walkthrough for stealth mastery tips, which can sharpen your observation skills and patience.
• Dive into the Marvel Rivals Wolverine Guide to understand meta gameplay in team-based titles, enhancing your ability to plan strategies under pressure.
• Explore narrative-rich games like Disco Elysium or The Quarry, where player choices similarly shape endings and character arcs.

By broadening your gaming repertoire, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the mechanics that make Lost Records so compelling.

Conclusion

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage delivers an emotionally rich, choice-driven experience that rewards attentive, thoughtful play. Every conversation, every collectible, and every moral decision shapes your journey. By understanding the core mechanics, planning your choices, and exploring hidden content, you can unlock the full potential of the game.

Key takeaways:

• Dialogue choices carry long-term consequences, influencing both immediate relationships and future events.
• Relationship management is crucial for unlocking endings, with trust levels serving as the gateway to exclusive arcs.
• Secrets and collectibles add narrative depth, often recontextualizing major plot points.

Approach your first playthrough with curiosity, then replay with strategy. Use each run to explore different emotional landscapes, from deep friendships to fractured alliances. And remember — sometimes the smallest decision can lead to the biggest change, making even seemingly inconsequential moments worth savoring.

As Tape 2 approaches, the groundwork you lay now will define your future in Lost Records. Make every moment count, and let each choice reflect not just what you want to see, but who you want to be in this world of music, mystery, and memory.