Xbox Game Pass New Free Game Is a Critically Acclaimed Ghibli-Inspired 2026 Hit

If you’re a subscriber to Xbox Game Pass’ ultimate tier, I’d urge you not to overlook today’s day one addition.

The Ghibli-inspired Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is out today, and it's available on the ultimate tier across Xbox Series X/S, PC, handheld, and cloud.

While Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a sequel to 2023’s Planet of Lana, you could approach it as a newcomer.

I would advise you play that brilliant original game, but Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf does open with an extensive recap before Lana and sidekick Mui then embark on a new adventure.

The game is a cinematic puzzle-platformer with players having to outsmart and avoid both human and technological threats.

Lana and Mui’s settlement now peacefully co-exists alongside technology, but there are other tribes using it to the planet Novo’s detriment, including the ruthless Dijinghala.

When Lana’s young niece is poisoned as an accidental result of their actions, Lana and Mui set out to unearth a cure.

Their eventual clashes with the Dijinghala, though, reveal some interesting revelations about Mui and the planet’s past.

Thunderful

I recently awarded this charming sequel a score of nine, writing, “Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a new all-time favourite of mine.”

I continued, “It’s a near-perfect package, offering a moving and captivating adventure infused with solid platforming and smart, varied puzzle design.

“Its cliffhanger ending may have us all holding our breaths for yet another instalment, but returning players won’t be disappointed by what’s on offer here.

“Reuniting with Lana and Mui is a treat, and I hope we all get the chance to do it again.”

It’s far from all that’s set to land on Xbox Game Pass in the coming weeks and days.

Cyberpunk 2077 Is One of March’s Game Pass Headliners

Both EA Sports F1 25 and the adorable adventure game To a T arrived yesterday - the former on premium with the latter on the ultimate and PC tiers.

Construction Simulator will join ultimate, premium, and PC on 10 March, with Cyberpunk 2077 joining ultimate and premium on the same day.

Hollow Knight: Silksong will make its way to premium on 12 March, followed by Gabby’s Dollhouse: Ready to Party arriving on ultimate, premium, and PC on 17 March.

Cyberpunk 2077 alone should keep you busy for much of the month of March.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, on the other hand, will only take you around five to six hours to complete - perfect if you’ve already got a hefty backlog.