Years ago, during a casual conversation in the comments section of one of my gaming articles about video game adaptations of Stephen King novels, I casually mentioned my ideal game adaptation: a Don’t Nod version of “It.” Recently, my thoughts have drifted back to that idea after the announcement of “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage.” This game, both developed and published by Don’t Nod, is slated for release in early 2025. Interestingly, it echoes the essence of King’s famous 1986 story about a cosmic spider-clown and a group of kids bound by fate to combat it.
Now, I don’t want to sound overly self-congratulatory; there’s no way I believe anyone at Don’t Nod browsed gaming site comments for ideas. It just tickles me to know that I’m good at spotting promising concepts for narrative-driven adventure games, a genre I’m passionate about and familiar with. With the latest “It” adaptation wrapping up a few years back, it seems timely for spiritual successors inspired by that version to emerge.
In “Lost Records: Bloom & Rage,” we follow a group of four friends through two intertwined timelines: their 1990s teenage years as misfit friends and their reunion nearly three decades later as adults. That 27-year gap seems a bit too on-the-nose to be a mere coincidence without some nod to “It.”
The game storyline follows these friends, who drift apart after an unexpected discovery during their coming-of-age days disrupts their lives. While the trailers have kept much of the plot under wraps, this event involves a mysterious, glowing purple object found at the base of a crater in a nearby forest. You can start piecing together your own theories from there.
Right now, details on “Lost Records” remain scarce, thanks to a marketing strategy that’s heavy on intrigue yet light on concrete facts. Even though I might have foresaw the premise, I’m bracing myself for surprises when it hits stores in two installments come February and March.
While “Lost Records” seems custom-tailored to my gaming interests, it’s just one of several upcoming releases stirring my excitement for next year. Although gigantic AAA spectacles aren’t heavily populating the early 2025 schedule, we’re on the brink of a smorgasbord of slightly lesser-known but equally intriguing titles that straddle the line between indie and mainstream.
One standout for me is “Split Fiction,” a joint effort by Hazelight and EA Originals. This game thrusts two authors–one creating science fiction, the other fantasy–into a chaotic, AI-generated world based on their imaginations. Gamers who enjoy playing alongside their favorite co-op partner will likely share my enthusiasm for Hazelight’s new venture, which promises a fresh take on genre mash-ups.
And there’s more to look forward to. “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” arrives in February, rekindling the brutally realistic medieval RPG experience we loved. March brings us “Two Point Museum,” the third in the quirky civic management series. Round out the first half of the year with “The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy,” a turn-based tactics game crafted by the minds behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape, set for April release. This lineup showcases the sheer diversity and scale of what’s slated to come.
Some years see major blockbuster titles stealing the spotlight, while others see indie games pave the way. But if 2025 can be remembered as the year double-A titles shine, offering everyone a piece of their gaming nirvana across various interests, I think that’s something we can all look forward to without complaint.
