If Planet of Lana represented the broad strokes of a portray, then its sequel is the place developer Wishfully has painstakingly added the little particulars. In a primary palms-on demo at Gamescom 2025, the primary impression is that it is a sequel within the truest sense.
That is nonetheless a totally trendy journey platformer; it nonetheless stars an intrepid human woman and her supernatural alien cat-factor, Mui as a controllable duo; and it nonetheless often wows with its shifting backdrops of otherworldly pure magnificence and the tough, off-world equipment plaguing it. However as I play by way of a number of disparate sections, it’s clear that there’s an actual eye for brand new sport design buzzing below the floor.
Every thing I bear in mind in regards to the first sport – notably how its more and more fiendish puzzles would ask me to make use of Lana and Mui each collectively and aside – is in place. I’m instantly acquainted with how the stalking alien robots can spot and hunt me down (and the fortunately beneficiant checkpointing after prompt deaths), and the way I can use the world round me to my benefit – utilizing Mui to chop ropes Lana can’t attain, or utilizing Lana to sneak behind enemies to open new paths for Mui.
However as I progress, I see increasingly more new mechanics emerge, enriching the unique sport’s make-up. Within the first sport, Lana and Mui have been struggling to know the machine invaders round them – however now they will use their data to their benefit. Mui can now lengthen their earlier powers of hypnosis as a sort of hack, brief-circuiting equipment round them, whereas Lana can reprogram and management sure components of the setting – one part has me navigating an enormous crate by means of magnets round a room to discover a means out.
Within the pure world, there are new methods to get round, too. Lana herself appears to have grown as an explorer, now capable of run sooner, and slide into tight areas. Puzzles really feel as if they happen throughout bigger areas, usually asking you to separate your two heroes up for longer in an effort to get previous obstacles – in a single part I must get Mui to hypnotize a bloated fly creature, which may accumulate water and deposit it on close by vegetation to develop bamboo like stalks. In an exquisite collision of design and physics, I journey to an out-of-the-means exit by swaying and bending every one in flip as Mui scampers behind.
Like the primary sport, Planet of Lana II has little or no in the way in which of a standard UI, and its characters communicate solely in an alien language, which means storytelling at all times comes from the world round you and the way you work together with it. Even on this brief glimpse of the sequel, it feels as if that story is aiming to go far deeper – the place the primary sport began as an escape, grew to become a rescue mission, and ended as a sci-fi thriller, the second feels extra in-depth.
We see ruined installations, get kidnapped by a hostile human faction (with a really satisfying jailbreak sequence), and start to understand that there’s way more to Mui than their cute exterior would counsel.
There’s a way that Wishfully are gleefully taking the possibility to do the issues they merely didn’t have the time to do the primary time round – extra puzzles, extra talents, extra mysteries – whereas clinging to the core of what made the primary sport so beloved. I’m able to see extra of this unusual, stunning world.
Planet of Lana II
Thunderful Publishing AB
The saga continues. Their residence saved, a deeper journey begins.
Embark on an unforgettable cinematic puzzle journey with Lana and her loyal companion Mui. Whether or not you are a returning hero or a brand new adventurer, step right into a world the place a brand new, historic thriller emerges from Novo’s hidden depths. However as they scour these depths, a brand new risk will put their unbreakable bond to the final word take a look at, guiding Lana to confront her future amidst encroaching shadows.
Planet of Lana II is a cinematic puzzle journey framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches throughout centuries and galaxies.
Key Options:
Distinctive, Advanced Companion Gameplay: Expertise Lana and Mui’s profound, evolving bond. Information Mui with enhanced precision for deep exploration and collaborative puzzle-fixing.
Remedy Various & Intelligent Puzzles: Deal with a wider array of physics-based mostly puzzles, together with hypnotizing spectacular creatures and controlling new hybrid robots for distinctive options.
Grasp Stealth & Wit: Rigorously navigate harmful conditions utilizing refined stealth mechanics and tactical wit to outsmart foes.
Survive Difficult Motion Sequences: Use your reflexes and grasp Lana’s new agility with wall jumps, run-slides, and sooner motion to outlive thrilling, dynamic motion sequences.
Uncover an Epic & Deeper Story: Immerse in an extended, extra profound sci-fi saga. Confront Lana’s personal demons and unveil the planet’s darkest secrets and techniques throughout gorgeous, numerous worlds, together with new underwater chapters.
Return of an Acclaimed Composer: Expertise Takeshi Furukawa’s critically acclaimed rating, from the unique Planet of Lana. His mesmerizing compositions seamlessly elevate each emotional beat and cinematic second.