By Fletcher Wilkinson 
Sometimes the smallest adventures leave the biggest impressions, and Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf proves that once again. The original game won players over with atmosphere, emotion, and thoughtful puzzle design rather than spectacle, and this sequel builds confidently on that foundation. Bigger in scope but still intimate at heart, it delivers a story-driven platforming experience that values feeling over flash.
Developer Wishfully doesn’t reinvent the formula entirely, but instead refines nearly every aspect of it. The result is a sequel that feels more confident, more emotional, and mechanically deeper without losing the quiet identity that made the first game memorable. If you’re looking for a cinematic indie adventure built around storytelling, exploration, and companionship, this is one worth paying attention to.
You don’t need to have played the original Planet of Lana to follow the story here. The game opens with a concise recap that provides just enough context before moving forward with Lana’s next chapter.
Several years have passed since the machine invasion that threatened Novo. Technology, once feared, has now been integrated peacefully into Lana’s tribe, used carefully to improve daily life. However, another faction known as the De Jing Hala sees technology differently, exploiting it to mine resources and reshape the planet for their own gain.
When Lana’s young niece is critically injured in a mining accident and falls into a coma, Lana and her loyal companion Mui set out in search of answers and a possible cure. What begins as a personal mission slowly expands into something far larger, uncovering secrets about Novo, the machines, and humanity’s role within the world.
The narrative leans heavily on visual storytelling and a pseudo-language dialogue system, allowing emotion and animation to carry the weight of conversations. It works remarkably well, creating moments that feel universal and deeply human without relying on traditional exposition. By the final act, the story delivers several genuinely emotional moments that linger long after the credits roll.
At its core, Children of the Leaf remains a puzzle-platformer built around traversal, stealth, and environmental problem-solving, but nearly every mechanic feels expanded.
Lana’s movement is noticeably smoother and more responsive, with new traversal abilities such as sliding into cover, improved climbing mechanics, and expanded environmental interaction making exploration feel far more fluid. She still feels vulnerable rather than powerful, which keeps tension intact throughout encounters.
One of the biggest additions is underwater exploration. Entire sequences now take place beneath the surface, featuring submerged ruins, aquatic wildlife, and mechanical structures hidden below Novo’s oceans. These sections add variety and introduce new puzzle ideas, though exiting water areas can occasionally feel slightly clunky.
Mui sees the largest evolution. No longer just a companion used for simple interactions, Mui becomes a fully integrated gameplay partner. Players can command Mui across larger distances to activate mechanisms, stun enemies, manipulate machinery, and even control certain creatures and robotic systems. Some sequences shift entirely to Mui-focused gameplay, adding welcome variety and reinforcing the bond between the two characters.
Puzzle design is more ambitious overall, occasionally demanding careful coordination between Lana and Mui. While puzzles never feel unfair, players who weren’t fond of the slower, puzzle-heavy pacing of the first game may feel similarly here. For returning fans, however, the added depth makes progression consistently satisfying.
Much like its predecessor, Planet of Lana 2 is visually stunning. Novo feels alive, filled with sweeping landscapes, vibrant ecosystems, and haunting remnants of ancient machines. The game frequently encourages you to slow down and simply absorb the scenery, and many moments feel deliberately framed like interactive paintings.
Performance on Xbox platforms is excellent, prioritising smooth presentation and artistic consistency rather than technical excess. Throughout my playthrough, the experience remained stable and polished.
The soundtrack once again plays a vital role in shaping the experience. Quiet exploration feels meditative, emotional scenes land with greater weight, and moments of danger gain intensity through carefully layered musical composition. The audio design complements the visuals perfectly, creating a cohesive atmosphere that defines the game’s identity.
Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf is a confident and emotionally resonant sequel that understands exactly what made the original special. Rather than chasing scale for its own sake, it expands mechanics, deepens storytelling, and strengthens the bond between Lana and Mui in meaningful ways.
Occasional movement quirks and puzzle frustrations appear from time to time, but they never overshadow the experience as a whole. This is a beautifully crafted adventure built on atmosphere, emotion, and thoughtful design the kind of game that stays with you long after you finish it.
If you’re searching for a heartfelt platforming adventure or another standout indie title on Xbox Game Pass, this is an easy recommendation.
Score — 9.5 / 10
- Emotionally powerful storytelling
- Expanded and refined gameplay mechanics
- Stunning art direction and world design
- Strong companion-based puzzle systems
- Some puzzles may feel slow for action-focused players
- Minor movement clunkiness in certain sections
gh0st93
Jordan Campbell