Planet of Lana 2: A visually Stunning Review

Planet of Lana was once one of the most visually striking 2D side-scrolling titles you could play. This emotional adventure drew inspiration from Studio Ghibli on its sleeve, evident in the beautiful hand-drawn visuals, with a particular emphasis on nature.

Although it was certainly not an easy task to surpass that level of presentation quality, the sequel successfully rises to the challenge and raises the bar for audiovisual presentation to an even higher level, while also supporting it with flawless technical execution. At the same time, other elements such as the controls have also received improvements and expansions, and the gameplay has become somewhat more complex.

Keep in mind that this is still largely a relaxing adventure, just like its predecessor. However, the improved interactivity makes tense segments even more suspenseful and puzzles even more challenging, making the sequel more fun to play than the original. And since the somewhat monotonous gameplay was practically the only major flaw of the original, the sequel now ranks among the very best in the 2D adventure genre.

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Planet of Lana 2 Puzzle and Stealth Mechanics Explained

At the end of the first game, Lana—together with her companion Mui—managed to remove the threat of a robot invasion that had endangered her peaceful planet. However, many important questions remained unresolved: for example, where did the robots come from, and where did the humans come from? The sequel aims to offer a richer look into the history and mythology of Lana’s world. This is quite an ambitious decision, considering that Planet of Lana 2, just like the original, uses an invented language for storytelling that you cannot understand. Nevertheless, the decision largely pays off.

Just like in the original game, the backbone of the sequel’s gameplay is the interaction between Lana and Mui (a four-legged companion somewhat resembling a cat), namely their teamwork in overcoming the challenges they encounter. These challenges take the form of puzzles that you must solve in order to clear your path forward, as well as enemies that you must avoid or, in rarer situations, neutralize.

Keep in mind that Lana and Mui have very limited combat abilities, so during encounters with enemies, you will spend most of your time sneaking around rather than charging into the scene like a pair of desperados. There are many different kinds of enemies, ranging from robots and armed cameras to humans, animals, and wild creatures. Each of them requires you to find a unique weak point, which helps the action side of the gameplay stay fresh for longer.

Gameplay Improvements: Smarter Puzzles and Better Flow

The first game drew criticism for repetitive, unchallenging puzzles. While Planet of Lana focused on storytelling and exploration, the monotony of the puzzles hurt the experience. The sequel fixes this by making puzzles more dynamic and regularly introducing unique regions.

For example, in snowy areas you will need to watch out for gusts of wind that can blow Lana off cliffs, as well as find ways to clear passages blocked by ice. In tropical regions, on the other hand, Lana and Mui will have to take control of fish and use them to remove obstacles and distract enemies.

Another important improvement lies in the better sense of control when playing as Lana, who is more agile, as well as Mui, over whom you now have noticeably greater control than in the original. A large number of puzzles consist of multiple steps that require you to control one character and then the other in the correct sequence. Certain situations even require you to control both characters simultaneously. Despite still falling among the easier puzzles in the genre, their design is excellently suited to the game's tone and represents a significant leap forward in creativity compared to the original.

Planet of Lana 2 Storytelling Without Words Divides Players

I mentioned earlier that the decision to approach narration without understandable dialogue works very well in the context of exploring the planet’s past. However, I would still direct a partially subjective criticism toward the main story, whose emotional potential, in my opinion, is not fully realized. In order to connect with the characters on the screen despite the absence of words, you should still have a relatively clear idea most of the time about what is happening in front of you. Although the story in Planet of Lana II is not complex in essence, in a certain sense, it ends up being “too complex” for the chosen storytelling approach without a language you understand.

As a result, you spend a good portion of the game watching long conversations full of gestures without ever being completely sure who is saying what or who is responsible for what. It is somewhat like watching a film or television series without the sound. Although you can deduce how the characters feel from their body language and facial expressions, the specific plot details may never be entirely clear.

However, it should be noted that some players may appreciate this aspect because it leaves a relatively large space for interpretation, which was, after all, the developers' intention. Because of that, this criticism should be taken with a certain degree of skepticism.

Visual Design Brings the World to Life

As for the fantastic audiovisual presentation, the images speak for themselves. The already colorful exterior environments from the original have become even more beautiful thanks to improved shading, which lends the stylized world a sense of realism. The transitions from dark, shadowy areas look absolutely flawless, and the same can be said for tropical locations, where the interaction between sunlight and the ocean creates truly unique scenes.

More than once, it happened to me that a fish ate me because I was too focused on the beauty of the underwater world—and it should be noted that I am someone who normally finds nature rather boring. I would often be brought back to reality at the last moment by the music, which perfectly accompanies even the smallest shifts in mood. The whole experience is even more fantastic when we have our Cosmic Gaming Headset on, fully immersing us in the game.

In Conclusion

All in all, Planet of Lana 2 does not introduce revolutionary innovations to the already well-established genre of 2D narrative adventures, just as the previous game did not. However, in this case, that is not really a problem because all elements are executed at a remarkably high level, combined with beautiful presentation and flawless technical performance. When you draw the line, you will be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining side-scrolling title than this one—at least when it comes to shorter adventures.

Game Rating:8.7/10

The game earns its score by improving gameplay variety and presentation, and offering beautiful visuals. However, the unclear narrative limits the emotional impact.

Recommended Age:10+

I recommend this game for ages 10 and up. The puzzles and stealth require some problem-solving and patience, but the tone is calm, non-violent, and suitable for younger players.

Gemini-Style AI Summary

Planet of Lana 2 is a visually stunning 2D side-scrolling adventure that builds upon the strengths of the original with improved puzzles, richer environments, and more responsive controls. The game focuses on teamwork between Lana and her companion, Mui, as they solve environmental puzzles, avoid enemies, and explore diverse regions, including snowy cliffs and tropical oceans. While the presentation, music, and atmosphere are exceptional, the story’s reliance on invented language can make the narrative harder to fully understand. Overall, the sequel offers a polished, relaxing puzzle-adventure that ranks among the best short narrative side-scrolling experiences.