When the original Planet of Lana debuted, it caught many of us off‑guard. Its modest premise hid a surprisingly moving story, and the hand‑drawn world turned out to be even more breathtaking in motion than the polished screenshots suggested. So when the sequel was announced I felt a mixture of excitement and hesitation. I loved the first game as a self‑contained adventure and wondered whether a follow‑up would deepen the magic or simply re‑hash it. After spending roughly eight hours traversing the new landscapes of Planet of Lana 2, I can say that it is indeed a solid sequel. It expands the experience, but it never quite reaches the emotional peaks of its predecessor.
Not the same emotional punch
The narrative thrust of Planet of Lana 2 feels familiar at first glance: Lana and her loyal companion Mui set out once more, this time to find medicine for a sick sibling. However, the quest stretches from icy mountaintops to warm, sun‑kissed waters, offering a wider geographic palette that naturally broadens the world’s lore.
The game excels at sprinkling small, lore‑rich details throughout each area. Every new zone feels like a chapter in a living encyclopedia, and the most rewarding moments are the quiet revelations about Mui’s past and the strange, almost mythic culture that inhabits the world. The fictional language—spoken entirely in invented sounds—adds a layer of authenticity that would have been lost in a straightforward English script.
That said, the story’s emotional punch isn’t as potent as the first game’s. The original’s surprise‑reveal moments and heart‑wrenching farewells still resonate more strongly. Here, the plot progresses smoothly but without the same intensity, making the overall arc feel a touch flatter. Still, for fans eager to learn more about the world and its inhabitants, the sequel delivers a satisfying expansion of the world and its characters.
Familiarity over innovation.
Planet of Lana 2 sticks to the core formula that made the original enjoyable: a 2‑D platformer with light puzzle elements woven into the traversal. The puzzles are deliberately accessible, which keeps the pacing gentle and the focus on exploration and story. Unfortunately, this very accessibility can also feel like a missed opportunity for deeper challenges.
A more noticeable concern lies in the controls. Lana’s movement is intentionally deliberate, matching the game’s serene tempo, but the occasional sluggishness becomes frustrating in timed sections. When a quick jump is required, the slight delay can feel out of sync with the on‑screen cue, turning what should be a sleek moment into an exasperating stumble. A few refinements—either by tightening the input response or by trimming or redesigning those timed sequences—would have smoothed the experience considerably.
Overall, the gameplay remains an enjoyable vehicle for the story and visuals, even if it leans heavily on familiarity rather than innovation.
Scenes that deserve to be framed
Visually, Planet of Lana 2 is a triumph. The hand‑drawn art style has been pushed to new heights, delivering scenes that deserve to be framed. From the stark, snow‑capped peaks that sparkle under a pale sun to the lush, turquoise lagoons teeming with life, each environment feels distinct and lovingly crafted. The transition between zones is seamless, making the world feel cohesive despite its varied aesthetics.
The soundtrack complements the art beautifully. Orchestral swells elevate the narrative’s more dramatic beats, while subtle ambient tracks underscore moments of quiet exploration. The music never overwhelms; it guides the player’s emotions.
A standout feature is the made‑up language spoken by the characters. Without relying on subtitles for every line, the game conveys tone, urgency, and tenderness through vocal performance alone. This choice reinforces the alien yet intimate feel of the world, allowing emotions to transcend linguistic barriers in a way that plain English dialogue could not achieve.
Conclusion
Planet of Lana 2 is a gorgeous, lovingly made adventure that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor. Its visuals are sharper, its soundscape richer, and its world deeper. Yet, the sequel falls slightly short in two key areas: the story, while expanding the lore, does not match the raw emotional resonance of the original, and the occasional clunky, sluggish controls in timed sections disrupt the otherwise fluid experience.
If you cherished the first game’s atmosphere and are eager to see more of Lana, Mui, and their enigmatic world, this sequel is an essential play. It may not eclipse the original, but it stands as a worthy continuation—one that invites players to lose themselves once again in a hand‑drawn realm where every frame feels like a painting and every note of the invented language whispers a story waiting to be heard.
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