Planet of Lana Review
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
A 2.5D cinematic puzzle-platformer sequel developed by Wishfully, featuring companion-based mechanics and non-verbal storytelling.
How This Score Is Calculated
- Sources analysed: 50 reviews
- Raw weighted average: 7.8
- Most reviewed featureVisual Art Style (48/50)
- Most praisedHand-painted art & Soundtrack
- Most criticisedClunky controls / Short length
- Reviewer consensus levelHigh
Planet of Lana II serves as a direct, iterative evolution of its predecessor, firmly rooting itself in the cinematic platformer tradition popularized by titles like Inside and Limbo. It exists to refine the established formula of non-verbal, companion-driven puzzle solving rather than to reinvent the genre’s mechanical foundations.
Within the current indie landscape, the game is positioned as a premium, high-fidelity experience that prioritizes aesthetic cohesion and emotional resonance. It arrives as a polished, albeit brief, continuation for players seeking a familiar, Ghibli-inspired adventure that emphasizes atmosphere and environmental storytelling over complex system-heavy gameplay.
🔧 Key Specifications
- Genre: Cinematic Puzzle-Platformer
- Perspective: 2.5D Side-scrolling
- Audio: Orchestral score by Takeshi Furukawa
- Art Style: Hand-painted, non-outline
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
💲 Price Range
Approximately ₹1,650 – ₹1,800
📊 What Reviewers Say — Feature by Feature
👍 Key Strengths
- Stunning hand-painted art style
- Evocative orchestral score
- Engaging companion-based puzzles
- Emotional non-verbal storytelling
👎 Key Weaknesses
- Floaty platforming controls
- Abrupt cliffhanger ending
- Short total playtime
- Occasional trial-and-error pacing
💰 Value for Money Analysis
Reviewers generally view the game as a high-quality, albeit short, experience that justifies its price point through its artisanal presentation. While some note the lack of replayability, the polished nature of the production is widely considered worth the cost for genre fans.
⚡ Where Reviewers Disagreed
- Puzzle Difficulty: 15 sources praised the well-balanced/clever puzzles, while 12 sources criticized them as being too simple or repetitive. The disagreement stems from whether players value the atmospheric "flow" of the game or require mechanical challenge to stay engaged. No consistent explanation for the split was evident across sources.
🎯 Who This Product Is For
🔀 Alternatives Mentioned by Reviewers
- Inside — Frequently cited as the genre benchmark; reviewers suggest this if you want a darker, more mechanically tight experience.
- Limbo — A core inspiration for the genre; recommended for players who enjoy the trial-and-error, atmospheric puzzle style.
- Little Nightmares Series — Recommended for those who prefer more intense cinematic set pieces and horror-tinged atmosphere.
- Gris — Compared for its stunning, artistic, and emotionally driven journey; ideal for those who value art style above all else.
- Another World — Cited as a classic inspiration for the game's cinematic platforming roots.
🛒 Buyer's Guide
✅ Buy This If…
- You loved the original Planet of Lana and want more of the same atmosphere.
- You appreciate hand-painted visual art and orchestral scoring as primary features.
- You enjoy narrative-focused "walking and solving" experiences over high-octane action.
❌ Skip This If…
- You require precise, snappy character movement to enjoy a platformer.
- You are looking for a long, replayable game with deep mechanical systems.
- You dislike cliffhanger endings and prefer self-contained stories.
Planet of Lana II is a beautiful, emotionally resonant success that stays true to its predecessor's identity. While it struggles with occasional control sluggishness and an abrupt ending, its stunning art and world-building make it a must-play for fans of atmospheric puzzle-platformers. It is an iterative, high-quality experience that prioritizes feeling over complex mechanics.
