Progress always comes at a cost. In Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, we once again enter the world of Novo. This time, new technology threatens the harmony. Wishfully’s sequel continues in much the same way as the first game, but refines, deepens and tweaks just enough to surpass the original. The Swedish studio partnered with Thunderful Publishing to expand on the cinematic puzzle-platform foundation laid back in 2023. The result is a familiar feeling sequel with more to it than noticed on first glance.
Back on Novo
Planet of Lana II takes place some time after the events of the first game, returning players to the same world and mythos of Novo. Those who experienced Lana’s first adventure will immediately recognise the tone and visual identity, though prior knowledge is by no means required to appreciate this new adventure. This time, a rising tribe known as the Dijinghale has begun exploiting Novo’s natural resources with massive industrial machines. Their expansion disrupts the planet’s fragile balance, and when Lana’s niece falls victim to the consequences of this exploitation, Lana and Mui are forced into action. A personal mission gradually evolves into something much bigger, even setting up for a potential future instalment.
Unlike the first game, Lana and Mui begin their adventure together from the beginning. Their established bond immediately opens up the cooperative puzzle design. Wishfully tweaked some things this time around. Mui can now be directed further across the screen, significantly expanding puzzle possibilities, while Lana gains increased agility and the ability to dive underwater. This newfound mobility allows players to explore environments with far greater verticality and depth. Mui’s upgraded hypnotic ability is another welcome evolution, introducing clever moments where players briefly control quirky creatures encountered along the way. These additions help Planet of Lana II address the occasional repetitiveness some players experienced in its predecessor.
Slow burning
The gameplay of Planet of Lana II was something of a slow burn for me. Having played more platformers than I can count over the years, it takes quite a bit to genuinely surprise me within the genre. With jumping, sliding, and environmental traversal forming the backbone of movement, there is only so much traditional platforming can offer. The true standout here is when Lana and Mui have to work together. Honestly, early on, I found the constant coordination between the two slightly disruptive to the flow I initially expected. That irritation, however, stemmed more from unfamiliarity than flawed design. As the adventure progressed, the puzzle-solving gradually became the main course rather than an obstacle to the platforming I had anticipated.
The underwater segments in particular stood out. Diving adds both tension and visual variety, and more than once, I had brief flashbacks to Sonic the Hedgehog while scrambling for a pocket of much-needed air. Planet of Lana II makes you think without tipping into frustration. Its puzzles are clever yet logical; the studio clearly wants players to enjoy the journey first and foremost, offering resistance without disrupting the game’s cinematic pacing. For me, that balance resulted in an eight-hour adventure that felt substantial and satisfying throughout.
Gibberish and Ghibli
Planet of Lana II continues the distinctive art direction established in the first game, once again evoking comparisons to the work of Studio Ghibli. For a puzzle-platformer, the environmental variety is particularly impressive. Urban settlements, snowy peaks, dark forests, and deep caverns transition seamlessly into one another, creating the sense of a living world rather than a sequence of isolated levels.
The use of a fictional language keeps the storytelling slightly ambiguous. Rather than spelling everything out, the game trusts players to interpret emotion and meaning through animation, music, and visual framing. That ambiguity won’t appeal to everyone, but in some way it does enhance the connection to the story. The score is equally vital. Composer Takeshi Furukawa returns after his work on the original, once again delivering an enhanced soundtrack to the adventure.
Conclusion
Planet of Lana II stays true to its original vision while carefully expanding upon it. Instead of starting over, Wishfully tweaks it all while addressing critiques of the first game and delivering a more varied, more in-depth experience without sacrificing its familiarity and fitting charm. The added mobility, more layered puzzles, and greater variety in environments help the sequel feel more dynamic overall. Anyone who enjoys thoughtful platforming puzzles wrapped in a cinematic, emotionally driven story will find much to appreciate in Planet of Lana II.
