A few years back, I casually mentioned in the comments of an article I wrote about video game adaptations of Stephen King stories that my dream game would be a Don’t Nod adaptation of “It”. This thought has lingered with me, especially after hearing the news about Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, a game being developed and self-published by Don’t Nod, set to release in early 2025. It appears to draw heavily from King’s classic tale about an otherworldly spider-clown and the group of friends determined to vanquish it.
Now, let me just clarify—I don’t actually think that anyone at Don’t Nod is scouring gaming site comments for inspiration. It’s just amusing to have a bit of evidence that I can spot marketable ideas for story-driven adventure games, a genre that’s close to my heart. Considering it’s been a few years since the “It” movies were in theaters, the timing feels just right for the emergence of spiritual successors inspired by that beloved story.
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage cleverly navigates two timelines, following a group of four friends during their tightly-knit teenage years in the 90s, and then again in the present day as they reunite in middle age after nearly three decades apart. Coincidentally—or perhaps not—the time gap spans exactly 27 years, a nod to the story of “It” or quite possibly just an intriguing particularity.
Continuing the parallels, the friends initially go their separate ways after their typical Xennial-era coming-of-age drama is derailed by the discovery of something bizarre in the woods near their hometown. While trailers and demos have played it close to the vest, we know this discovery lies at the bottom of a crater and radiates an unearthly purple glow. You can start piecing the puzzle together from here.
At the moment, there’s not much else to reveal about Lost Records, possibly by design. The drip-feed marketing strategy has focused on building intrigue without giving away the game’s secrets. Despite initially predicting the game’s setup, all I can anticipate now is the unexpected as it launches in two parts over February and March.
Lost Records might seem to align perfectly with my own gaming interests, but it’s not the only title capturing my attention as we look towards the start of next year. While there might not be a host of high-profile triple-A games lined up, early 2025 promises a delightful assembly of slightly smaller releases that are nonetheless too significant to be filed under indie.
I’m also keeping an eye on Split Fiction, the latest project from Hazelight in collaboration with EA Originals, which features two authors—one writing science fiction, the other fantasy—ensnared in an AI-generated version of their own worlds by a dubious publisher. For dedicated gamers with their preferred co-op partner by their side, Hazelight’s new release is a much-anticipated reminder of the joys of couch co-op, offering a refreshingly novel blend of genres.
And let’s not forget some of my other favorites, like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 coming in February, a sequel that promises to continue the gritty and real look at medieval life. Following that, we have Two Point Museum in March, offering a wacky take on civic infrastructure management. Lastly, The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy—a tactical collaboration by the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape—set to arrive in April, showcases the diverse range of upcoming games.
Each year tends to be dominated either by tentpole triple-A giants or indie darlings. However, if 2025 chooses a different route, giving us a plethora of engaging double-A titles customized for specific niches, I’m confident that there’ll be an abundance of excitement for all of us gaming aficionados.
