Planet of Lana 2 Is a Must-Play Ghibli-Inspired Antidote To Our Fractured World

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf dances within a whisker of perfection, offering up yet another gorgeous Ghibli-esque adventure that’ll stay with you long after the credits roll.

Developer Wishfully has somehow managed to craft a sequel that outshines its already brilliant predecessor. Planet of Lana II’s puzzle-solving has been infused with a much-needed sense of variety, while the title’s visuals hum with renewed vibrancy. There are adjustments to platforming too, all wrapped within a compelling story that delves deeper into the history of Lana and Mui’s curious world. It will not disappoint returning fans by any means.

Planet of Lana II is a cinematic puzzle-platformer that picks up where the original game ends. Handily, there’s a recap of that first outing if your memory is a tad hazy or you're going straight into the sequel.

In this new journey, Lana and Mui’s settlement is peacefully co-existing alongside technology, but there are other tribes - namely, the ruthless Dijinghala - using it to the planet Novo’s detriment. Lana’s young niece is poisoned as an accidental result, prompting Lana and Mui to set out to unearth a cure. Their eventual clashes with the Dijinghala, though, reveal some interesting revelations about Mui and the planet’s past.

Planet of Lana II’s Storytelling Excels, But Comes With a Sting In Its Tail

It’s the story that I want to begin with, as it’s one of the only ways in which I can fault the game. Yes - that’s totally at odds with the fact that I’m also going to tell you this is a captivating tale and one that I totally lost myself in. For those new to this delightful franchise, Planet of Lana and Planet of Lana II feature a fictional language, with the exception being the sequel’s opening recap. It’s up to you to interpret events.

It’s a creative decision that continues to pay off. Planet of Lana II’s story concerns elements of othering, conflict, and betrayal, all wrapped up within Lana’s ongoing fight for a better future. It’s incredibly fitting to me, then, that this is a story told in a universal language. Our own world is so fractured; so concerned with harmful ideas of us vs. them. Yet, Planet of Lana II once again proves that we don’t need to speak the same language in order to find unity. I felt every emotional beat of this game regardless of not understanding a single world. There’s something very powerful in that.

Thunderful

My criticism, and it’s a very small one, concerns the fact that Planet of Lana II ends on a pretty abrupt cliffhanger. Wishfully’s original game offered a satisfying conclusion, perhaps as developers didn’t know whether another instalment would be feasible based on reception and sales. Planet of Lana II is, in my opinion, entirely dependent on a third installment. It’s the classic cliffhanger. I was yelling at the screen before it eventually cut to black, holding back an answer I so desperately sought.

I’m not totally against the use of cliffhangers, but it’s a tad risky in gaming. ‘Planet of Lana III’ hasn’t yet been confirmed and even if it is, we could be waiting several years for it to arrive. I’m desperately hoping such a game does get the green light. Not only do I need to see the fallout of the game’s ending, but it also sets up an interesting new set of circumstances for these characters. I’m just wary that players, like myself, could be waiting sometime for a payoff when it comes to ending the game this way.

Puzzles Are Full of Variety This Time Around With New Creatures Mui Can Control

I do find it difficult to criticise the game in any other way, especially as great care has been taken to introduce plenty of new puzzle variations. In that original title, Lana and Mui would evade machines whilst making use of a limited number of ‘powers’. Those powers return. Working together, the duo can override technology, but there’s plenty of new additions within this sequel that keep things feeling fresh.

Mui can assume control of fish, for example, leading to some fun underwater puzzle-solving sections. Players will need to guide the fish through various obstacles, releasing ink clouds which can shield Lana from underwater threats. In certain areas, Mui can also take control of Rollers which don’t look all that dissimilar to My Neighbour Totoro’s Soot Sprites. They can leave behind a trail which you’ll need to link back to a fire to set off a chain reaction that may be the key to solving a puzzle. Elsewhere, there are squid-like creatures who can shoot water, oftentimes prompting vines to grow that Lana could use for climbing.

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Every puzzle just felt far more complex, but I’m not saying the game necessarily upped the difficulty, because I think that could be offputting. I always found the right solution but that process didn’t feel as repetitive in Planet of Lana II as it did in Planet of Lana. I felt I had to experiment with the full breadth of my surroundings, analysing which creatures were nearby alongside which items Lana and Mui could hack or interact with. Every puzzle felt unique.

With Huge Set Pieces and Improved Platforming, Planet of Lana II Is a Clear Step Up

You will still have to evade machines in several stealth sections, although human enemies are added into the mix here too. Often there’s a fun twist where evading the enemy may rely on luring it into a trap. Plus, I should mention that stealth is made all the more smoother by an overhauled traversal system. Lana can now slide, for example, whilst wall jumping is also possible. It allows for much greater set pieces. There’s one particular chase sequence that offers such high-octane action that I was blown away by how Planet of Lana II had stepped things up.

Thunderful

This sequel boasts a similar runtime to its predecessor; I completed it in around six hours. If I’m being very picky, I could sit here and say I’d have liked more, but that’s perhaps me being greedy. As much as I adored the original Planet of Lana, I was ready for its conclusion. It didn’t have enough variation in its puzzles to command a longer runtime. Planet of Lana II does. I could easily have enjoyed more chapters, using this wide array of mechanics in additional ways, but I did entirely feel satisfied with the game’s length, that cliffhanger aside.

Planet of Lana II’s Visuals Will Be Hard To Beat in 2026

It would be criminal not to touch upon the game’s visuals. The original Planet of Lana’s art style returns, but it all just felt enhanced this time around. The world was even more vibrant and full of immense depth. That’s perhaps helped by the fact that Lana visits some, let’s say, more densely packed locations this time. You’ll find it difficult to get through this game without your mouth constantly agape at just how beautiful it looks.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a new all-time favourite of mine. 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.

Pros: Engaging story, improved traversal, varied puzzle design, gorgeous visuals

Cons: Cliffhanger ending without a third game yet confirmed

For fans of: Studio Ghibli, The Legend of Zelda, Little Nightmares, Ori and the Blind Forest

9/10: Exceptional

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf launches on 5 March on PlayStation 5 (version tested), PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam. A review code was provided by the publisher. Read a guide to our review scores here.