Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf review

Some people just can’t seem to catch a break. Young Lana, the star of Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, has already had a lot to deal with. After all, the events of the first game had her rescuing those close to her after they were swept up by robots. Now she’s found herself in yet another escapade, and it’s safe to say the stakes are higher than ever before.

It all begins with Lana simply enjoying life with her sister. Those who have played the first game will be pleased to hear that the adorable Mui is still with her, too. But then the trio encounter something worrying: an unusual craft manned with some strangers, who happen to dump something ahead of them. It’s only when Lana’s sister approaches this object that things really go awry, though, with her suddenly becoming gravely ill.

Your main objective in Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, then, is to collect the ingredients required to make the medicine that will save your sister. It’s a task that will take you to locations far and wide, and along the way you’ll learn more about the world you inhabit as well as your invaluable pet Mui. And without spoiling anything, this isn’t a walk in the park; you’ll of course also face off against a new threat to everything that you hold dear.

When it comes to the gameplay of Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf, it’s essentially more of the same. This is a linear adventure where you typically just move from left to right, frequently encountering obstacles to your progress that require you to put your thinking cap on for a while. There is a little more variety when it comes to these puzzles this time around, though.

Once again you’ll be in direct control of Lana, while also being being able to issue commands to Mui. Sometimes, then, you might need to command Mui to reach a ledge high above that you simply can’t reach, where there happens to be a rope that your cute pet can knock down for you. More often than not, though, things are a little more complex, requiring you momentarily shut down robots as Mui before moving in with Lana to reprogram them. Then you can use them to move blocks and suchlike.

It’s not only robots that Mui can manipulate, either. There are numerous creatures here that you can also use to your advantage, such as fish that can release clouds of ink, handy for passing by underwater threats or cameras, and fluffy beasts that can lay down sticky thread as they roll, useful for trailing fire for whatever reason you might have. And this is all in addition to the typical situations where stealth needs to be employed, or where your only option is to simply run.

With a running time of around six to eight hours, making it somewhat longer than its predecessor, it speaks volumes that Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf never feels like it’s drawn out. The added variety and gameplay mechanics here really do make a difference. And again, it manages to convey a story that tugs on the heartstrings while having no English dialogue or subtitles. This is a bigger, bolder sequel, then, making it an absolute must-play for fans of the original.