When Planet of Lana dropped in 2023, it captured the hearts of indie game fans with its breathtaking art style and the emotional core of its story. We were introduced to the beautiful but dangerous planet of Novo. Our task was to guide a very young, vulnerable 11-year-old Lana and her loyal cat-like companion, Mui. Their mission was one of desperate survival. We had to navigate perilous paths, solve tricky puzzles, and avoid dangerous enemies to save Lana’s older sister, Elo, from a terrifying alien robot invasion. It was a beautiful journey of discovery, and we learned a lot about how humanity ended up on this planet. But the sequel proves there is so much more to this story.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf picks up several years after the events of that beloved first game. Now, Lana has grown up significantly. She has stepped into the protective older sister role once held by Elo, looking out for a young and deeply curious girl named Anua. The game opens beautifully with Lana, Anua, and Mui exploring the rusted ruins of a wrecked spacecraft. This opening sequence serves as a gentle reintroduction but also instantly sets the tone for a world that has fundamentally shifted.
Following the defeat of the machines, Lana’s tribe did not just destroy the leftover robotic technology. Instead, they integrated it into their daily lives, using it for transportation and farming. It is a peaceful existence, but human greed always finds a way to ruin things, even on an alien planet. Another faction of people has decided to exploit Novo’s resources. They are using this same technology to aggressively mine the land, and they are carelessly dumping their toxic waste dangerously close to Lana’s peaceful village.
The Catalyst: High Stakes and Human Greed
This sets the stage for the inciting incident, and it hits incredibly hard. Anua wanders too close to the dangerous mining runoff. Because of this, she contracts a severe alien illness that leaves her completely bedridden in a coma. The village elder tasks Lana with finding the rare ingredients necessary for a cure, and Lana and Mui set off on a brand new journey.
It is a brilliant narrative hook. The overarching threat in this universe went from invading alien robots to the devastating environmental impact of human greed and exploitation. It makes the entire conflict feel far more personal, grounded, and tragic.
Evolved Movement and Satisfying Puzzles
Because time has passed since their first adventure, Lana is no longer the vulnerable child we remember. She is significantly faster, more agile, and highly capable. The platforming feels incredibly responsive. This is highlighted by a fantastic new slide mechanic that lets you duck into cover seamlessly right out of a full sprint. You can climb faster, jump with much more confidence, and navigate the world with a really satisfying fluidity.
The puzzle-solving and stealth mechanics have also seen a massive upgrade. Mui returns with an expanded toolkit, and you are now able to jam machinery for short bursts or telepathically control Novo’s local wildlife. A standout moment for me was using Mui to take over a creature called an inkfish. This lets you navigate and utilize its unique abilities underwater. Lana gets in on the action too, gaining the ability to hack and control enemy drones to clear paths. Despite the added complexity, the puzzles hit that perfect sweet spot. They are engaging, clever, and fun without ever crossing into nerve-wracking frustration.
Sci-Fi Meets Studio Ghibli
Visually and audibly, Children of the Leaf is an absolute masterpiece. The minimalist, painterly art style from the first game returns, but the scope has widened dramatically. You will travel far beyond the familiar lush jungles, braving icy mountain ranges where you must physically hide in deep snowdrifts to avoid both patrolling enemies and lethal, howling winds.
You will also explore deep, tropical underwater biomes. Fans of the first game will definitely remember Mui’s paralyzing fear of water. Thankfully, the developers introduced a clever new mechanic to solve this. A lily pad-like plant acts as a protective, breathable submarine for Mui, allowing you to take your companion below the waves safely.
Tying these gorgeous visuals together is a soundtrack that genuinely induces goosebumps. The musical score perfectly complements the breathtaking environments. It gives the entire experience the epic, sweeping feel of a grand sci-fi adventure crossed with the soulful, artistic charm of a Studio Ghibli film.
Real Talk
Planet of Lana II is a textbook sequel. It takes the solid foundation of the original, tightens the gameplay, and deepens the lore in really meaningful ways. It answers lingering questions about Novo’s mysterious past while asking tough questions about its future. With tighter controls, brilliant new mechanics, and jaw-dropping art direction, it is a stunning, emotional, and thoroughly entertaining experience from start to finish. I absolutely recommend it.
FINAL SCORE: 90/100
