Planet of Lana II Review – A Gorgeous Sequel Where Heart Meets Hazard
A moving cinematic puzzle-platformer that expands Lana and Mui’s world with richer puzzles, fluid movement and a bittersweet story. Gorgeous art and soundtrack carry you, even when pacing and occasional puzzles test your patience.
I dove into Planet of Lana II expecting more of the same magic—and for the most part, Wishfully delivered. The sequel expands the first game's hand-painted world with new biomes, tighter traversal and a deeper emotional undercurrent. It’s a cinematic puzzle-adventure that asks you to pay attention: to music, to the environment, and to the awkwardly adorable partnership between Lana and Mui. If you liked the first game’s tone, this one feels like a confident follow-up, sometimes darker, often more ambitious.
Running, Gliding and Solving with Two Hearts
The core gameplay keeps the simple, tactile charm of the original while giving Lana more mobility and the puzzles more teeth. You’ll sprint, wall-jump, swim and slide through hand-crafted scenes, but it’s the teamwork with Mui that gives the exploration weight: sending her to trigger switches, manipulate enemies or inhabit mechanical creatures expands both puzzle variety and player creativity. Movement feels fluid most of the time—momentum matters, and the game rewards careful platforming rather than twitch reflexes. Combat is minimal; this is about environmental problem solving, timing and using the world as a tool. Expect a steady rhythm of observation followed by satisfying, sometimes cinematic solutions. Occasionally the flow pauses for longer story beats, which can feel lovely or sluggish depending on your patience.
When Companionship Becomes a Puzzle Tool
What separates Lana II from a dozen pretty platformers is how it weaves Mui into nearly every puzzle. Mui’s abilities—possession of creatures and robots, interacting with tech, or acting as a mobile switch—change how you approach obstacles. Many puzzles are about cooperation: Lana positions, Mui activates, and environments react in believable, handcrafted ways. The sequel leans more into multi-stage puzzles than the first game, with sequences that require back-and-forth thinking and creative use of tools you’ve acquired. It’s delightful when it clicks: a chain reaction of small moments that make you grin. On the flip side, a handful of puzzles felt like design padding—scenes where I ran across pretty vistas more than I solved interesting conundrums.
A Soundtrack and Style That Carry the Weight
Visually it’s a love letter: hand-painted backdrops, varied biomes from icy peaks to drowned ruins and eyes-pleasing color palettes that frame each moment like a still from an animated film. The orchestral score is the emotional glue—subtle cues guide you through quiet sadness and triumphant beats when puzzles resolve. Performance on Windows is solid in my playthroughs, with smooth frame rates and few technical hiccups, though some swimmers and camera angles can feel slightly floaty. Accessibility is thoughtful: intuitive controls, clear visual language for interactive objects, and a pacing that welcomes casual players. If you prize atmosphere and art direction over twitchy difficulty, this game knows how to wrap you in its world.
Planet of Lana II is a tender, thoughtful sequel that leans into companionship and worldbuilding while tightening core movement and puzzle ideas. It isn’t perfect—pace and a few design choices frustrated me at times—but the overall experience is memorable thanks to its art, score and the chemistry between Lana and Mui. It’s ideal for players who enjoy narrative-driven platformers, atmospheric visuals and puzzles that value observation and cooperation over brute force. Buy it if you want a meditative, cinematic journey with heart; skip it if you demand breakneck action.
Pros
- Stunning hand-painted visuals and evocative orchestral score
- Improved movement and deeper, cooperation-focused puzzles
- Strong emotional beats and worldbuilding without words
- Accessible pacing for casual players and clear interactive cues
Cons
- Pacing can feel slow at times, especially in early sections
- A few puzzles feel like filler or overly scenic backtracking
- Swimming and occasional camera angles can feel floaty
Player Opinion
Players praise Planet of Lana II for preserving the first game's soul—its visuals, music and gentle storytelling—while expanding puzzle mechanics and world scope. Many reviews highlight Mui’s increased role and the more involved, multi-stage puzzles that reward experimentation. Criticisms are consistent: a handful of players find the pacing slow, especially early on, and some feel certain sections prioritize scenic traversal over puzzle depth. A minority thinks the sequel rehashes the first, but most fans say it’s a worthy follow-up that adds emotional weight and richer mechanics. If you loved the original’s atmosphere, the community consensus is this sequel will likely charm you too.