[PREVIEW] Planet of Lana II – Brought Me Back to a World I Never Wanted to Leave

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Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf was a delightful surprise for me during this Steam Next Fest, especially since I adored the first game. The original was such a unique gem, its art style was stunning, the music was cinematic and emotionally rich, and the game just exuded charm and personality. While the puzzles in the first game were simple, they kept evolving over time, keeping that sense of wonder. It wasn’t a perfect 10, but it was truly special.

Now, with the sequel on the horizon, I’m diving back into the familiar platforming formula that made the first game so memorable. And this time, it’s clear they’re aiming much bigger. The developers have promised a larger world, deeper storytelling, and more mechanically intricate puzzles. What’s really exciting is how they’re expanding the companion dynamic, giving you a much more fleshed-out partner for this journey.

Demo is Very Solid and Leads You Through Different Chapters

I can definitely say that Planet of Lana 2 has hooked me instantly. Once again, the story follows Lana and Mui, but this time the stakes are so much bigger. The conflict isn’t just about machines invading, it’s now about the planet Novo fracturing from within. Different tribes are manipulated, ecosystems are destabilizing, so now the threat is both ecological and political, not just technological. The tone is noticeably darker – less a fairytale, more a myth. We even see Lana now with her own kids, which I’m eager to see woven into the narrative.

In the demo, we’re treated to different chapters, almost like a journey, starting from a simple tutorial and progressing up to chapter fiive. And what’s amazing is how the puzzles evolve. There’s a whole new suite of multi-step environmental puzzles. Mui’s interactions have expanded, now he can distract creatures, activate organic mechanisms, and even control other animals. There’s one section in the demo where we use a fish to distract a bigger fish, like an octopus spraying ink, letting us slip past and open a new path. Mui also has this special ability to control objects, turning them on or off, so there’s this whole new layer of creativity.

And yes, stealth is back, but now it’s far more dynamic and timed, more fluid as well. You hide from cameras, dodge enemies and you have to time your moves carefully. It keeps that classic side-scrolling feel, but now every step feels a bit more purpose-driven. The puzzles might be simple platforming at heart, but now they demand more creativity, whether you’re growing plants to cross gaps or timing jumps.

If You Loved The First Game, The Sequel is a Must-Play

All of the flaws I had with the first game seem to be addressed in this sequel. Mui, for instance, now has so much more presence, he interacts with the environment more independently. While you still guide him, he really has a core role now, taking center stage in so many sequences. I was especially surprised by the chain puzzles since they’re so cleverly designed. In one of the later chapters, Lana, thanks to Mui’s help, actually controls a massive block. Mui activates a platform, the block drops, and then Lana uses her ability to shift this huge block, letting her jump on it and progress.

If you loved the first game, you’re going to fall for this one, too. The sequel bursts with color, the graphics are phenomenal, and the environmental storytelling is just as powerful as before. The same wordless vocalizations return, creating this intimate, crafted atmosphere. It feels like a natural evolution – familiar, but so much more expansive. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds, this is firmly at the top of my list, and I’m counting down the days to the full release.