New story, new characters and new universe—what does Dontnod offer us

[exeuntomnes]

Are there any people here who are fascinated by the return of the team that made Life is Strange 1 and 2? A new narrative journey after so many years! I’ve been thinking about this story a lot and would love to connect with people who are fans of the Life is Strange series from Dontnod, just like me <3 I can't wait for the game, only 50 days left! Take care!

SEE YOU IN HEL

[Marshall of the Templars]

I'm genuinely curious more than excited.

I'm very concerned that the game might fall into the trap of wannabe franchise starters by focusing too much on setting up future sequels or installments instead of being a great story with great characters.

I really wish the team behind Lost Records all the best, and I hope it at least ends up being better than the last two Dontnod games I've played - Tell Me Why and Twin Mirror.

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

the return of the team that made Life is Strange 1 and 2

Christian Divine (LiS 1 & 2's lead writer) and Jean-Luc Cano (the guy who made the Original Story for LiS 1 & 2) seemingly aren't credited for Lost Records, though. Which is rather concerning.

[exeuntomnes]

This is the return of the team that made Life is Strange 1 and 2 after 4-5 years, so we can expect a well-polished story. All the interviews talk about staying true to the DNA of Life is Strange, so I think there's no point in comparing or measuring Lost Records against big universes like Star Wars, with complex plots and conflicts. Life is Strange has always been about the lives and drama of ordinary people who suddenly have to face something mysterious, mystical. So I wouldn’t worry that Lost Records will be underdeveloped in terms of plot and characters (Double Exposure from Deck Nine had exactly those problems – that game didn’t feel like a full-fledged game but more like an incomprehensible introduction to something bigger, which people weren’t really waiting for or interested in)

The early demo that came out in August (people played around 1-2 hours of the first episode) mentioned that most aspects like music, characters, graphics, mechanics, and the story are intriguing, and they feel like it's shaping up to be a spiritual successor to Life is Strange. So for me, at worst, I'm only concerned that the story will just be slightly above mid-tier. Dontnod is a team that knows how to learn from its mistakes, and I’m sure they will address the issues from their previous games.

The price seems concerning? I know Dontnod games have gone through financial struggles and the prices were never too high, but considering the years of work, the graphics, and the promotion, the price seems too low. Does that mean the game will be very short, like 5-8 hours?

We'll see, and we can discuss it later. For now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed and am happy with everything I’ve seen from all the trailers :) I hope you’ll have a great time with it too!

[DanB]

I'm really hopeful for this game, but I doubt more than a handful of devs responsible for LiS1 are actually still at Don't Nod.

[exeuntomnes]

I know what kind of challenges Dontnod is facing, and I think it’s hard to keep the exact same team together after 10 years. I trust that the key people behind the game (Luc and Michel) know what they’re talking about when they mention a spiritual successor to Life is Strange. They’re making sure the game stays special, and that’s what matters. Getting to know new storytellers only makes me excited for more interesting aspects. The game is in good hands.

[Lexi Belle]

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

Are there any people here who are fascinated by the return of the team that made Life is Strange 1 and 2?

Hell no ain't nobody buying this game lmaooo, nobody even knows it exists other than the people laughing at the fat girl. This game is already dead af bro nobody cares who is making it there is no hype or excitement at all.

[Lexi Belle]

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

:sad_seagull: :sad_seagull: - That’s exactly how you look while typing this lmaoo
You are laughable for sure, but we ain’t even talking about you here, kid. Stay quiet, and don’t bother writing if you’re not into it.

Relax brother I dunno why you're coming at me LOL, I only answered the question didn't insult anybody. The game's dead af, it is what it is who cares.

[exeuntomnes]

Originally posted by Lexi Belle:

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

- That’s exactly how you look while typing this lmaoo
You are laughable for sure, but we ain’t even talking about you here, kid. Stay quiet, and don’t bother writing if you’re not into it.

Relax brother I dunno why you're coming at me LOL, I only answered the question didn't insult anybody. The game's dead af, it is what it is who cares.

Ok
Then don't make me repeat myself

[exeuntomnes]

Originally posted by Marshall of the Templars:

I'm genuinely curious more than excited.

I'm very concerned that the game might fall into the trap of wannabe franchise starters by focusing too much on setting up future sequels or installments instead of being a great story with great characters.

I really wish the team behind Lost Records all the best, and I hope it at least ends up being better than the last two Dontnod games I've played - Tell Me Why and Twin Mirror.

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

the return of the team that made Life is Strange 1 and 2

Christian Divine (LiS 1 & 2's lead writer) and Jean-Luc Cano (the guy who made the Original Story for LiS 1 & 2) seemingly aren't credited for Lost Records, though. Which is rather concerning.

I think this might answer your question

"Rowan: So will this be a stand-alone game or will we have an open-ending and perhaps have a second installation?

Michel: This will be a stand-alone game in the sense that there will be a full story with an ending… But we will have some leads of where we could go next. As you have seen, the game is called Lost Records: Bloom & Rage so this is the first entry in what we are trying to create as a bigger Lost Records universe. Since we are published by DON’T NOD we are committed to making sure we can think ahead of time, of what we would like to do again with the characters if we have the opportunity to do so. We are showcasing those characters and this is one of their stories but we already know where we can go when we go back to the universe. Either by using the locations or characters, or a blend of both, and continue to tell other stories."

source: https://twinfinite.net/features/lost-records-rage-bloom-interview/

[Marshall of the Templars]

Originally posted by exeuntomnes:

source: https://twinfinite.net/features/lost-records-rage-bloom-interview/

I've already read that interview sometime last year, though. But I appreciate it being brought up here to give some details for those who are not in the know.

Though with the recent problems at the company, Dontnod's upper management needs to get their act together or else their grand ambitions for another "gaming universe" will end up like Universal Studios' Dark Universe experiment.

[MorningLightMountain]

I'm very curious but feel it will be overlooked by many due to it not featuring Max & Chloe.

[exeuntomnes]

Originally posted by MorningLightMountain:

I'm very curious but feel it will be overlooked by many due to it not featuring Max & Chloe.

I think it's the same with every more well-known series, a strong attachment issue. If only people allowed themselves more relaxation and saw that Dontnod is doing everything to create new IPs, but with the same spirit as Life is Strange – why not embrace a new experience and try to fall in love with something new, instead of limiting yourself to just one? I think the Chloe thing is a very childish approach. I understand it in the context of the whole Double Exposure story, but not Lost Records

[knarflook]

I'm interested but also skeptical. The game is centered around teenage life and the (sub)culture of a specific decade and that's very difficult to pull off. There's just this can't-put-my-finger-on-it that makes some executions work really well whereas others just seem forced and (as much as I hate this word) cringe.

LiS was always dancing on that edge: on the one hand it so beautifully captures the turbulent life of a young adult, on the other hand the dialogue and the actions of the characters sometimes look like what a 50 year-old executive thinks "kids these days" say and do. Moreover, the franchise has already had its ups and down and none of the other games reached the heights of the fantastic original Life is Strange experience.

Hence, it's a "wait and see" for me.

[exeuntomnes]

Originally posted by knarflook:

I'm interested but also skeptical. The game is centered around teenage life and the (sub)culture of a specific decade and that's very difficult to pull off. There's just this can't-put-my-finger-on-it that makes some executions work really well whereas others just seem forced and (as much as I hate this word) cringe.

LiS was always dancing on that edge: on the one hand it so beautifully captures the turbulent life of a young adult, on the other hand the dialogue and the actions of the characters sometimes look like what a 50 year-old executive thinks "kids these days" say and do. Moreover, the franchise has already had its ups and down and none of the other games reached the heights of the fantastic original Life is Strange experience.

Hence, it's a "wait and see" for me.

I totally get where you're coming from. Capturing the essence of a specific era or teenage culture is always a delicate balance, and it can be tough to get it right.

Life is Strange definitely had moments that felt very authentic, but as you said, there were times when it came off as a bit forced. (Many people confuse this 'cringe' with grotesque elements and other types of pathos. Has anyone even seen Twin Peaks and understood why it's such a big inspiration for Life is Strange?)

The franchise set a high bar with the original, and it makes sense to be cautious with anything following that. I'm curious to see how Lost Records: Bloom and Rage handles that same balance—if it can evoke the same genuine connection to its characters and themes without falling into cliché territory.

For me, it’s definitely a 'just play and see' situation because I am in love with the structure of Life is Strange 1 and 2. In LiS2, they managed to show they could step away from the aspects you find 'cringe,' but then the game paid for it by being too serious, slow, boring, and 'political'—which is insane. You can't please everyone, and someone will always complain.

Here, I feel there's a good balance between playing as a 16-year-old and later as a 43-year-old, so we'll see what Dontnod shows us :)