Planet of Lana II – Review Xbox
- XPN Network
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
Planet of Lana II arrives with the quiet confidence of a sequel that understands exactly what made its predecessor special, yet refuses to simply repeat it. Set after the world has begun to recover from the machine invasion, the game opens in a landscape that feels both familiar but yet changed. It's a place where nature has reclaimed its rhythm, but where the scars of conflict still hum beneath the soil. Lana and Mui return not as wide‑eyed survivors but as characters shaped by what they’ve endured, and the game reflects that maturity in every frame. Their bond is deeper, more expressive, and more emotionally resonant, conveyed through animation, music, and the subtle choreography of two beings who trust each other completely.
Without a single line of spoken dialogue, the game communicates themes of legacy, responsibility, and the fragile balance between organic life and ancient technology. The story expands the world’s mythology in meaningful ways, exploring the remnants of a long‑lost civilization and the true origins of the machines, all while maintaining the intimate, human scale that defined the first game.
Where the original Planet of Lana offered gentle puzzle‑platforming wrapped in a cinematic shell, the sequel builds on that foundation with a newfound ambition. The puzzles are more layered and organic, often emerging from the behaviours of creatures, the logic of machines, or the natural flow of the environment. Nothing feels artificially placed; instead, each challenge feels like a natural extension of the world’s ecosystem.
Mui’s expanded abilities transform them from a charming companion into a fully realized gameplay system. They can hypnotize wildlife, interact with dormant technology, dive underwater, and perform complex cooperative actions with Lana. These additions open up puzzle design in ways the first game only hinted at.
Underwater exploration introduces a new dimension to traversal, offering submerged ruins, aquatic wildlife, and stealth sequences that add tension and atmosphere, even if the movement is intentionally slower. The platforming itself is smoother and more responsive, with improved animation transitions and a stronger sense of physicality.
Visually, Planet of Lana II is nothing short of breathtaking. The painterly art style returns with richer detail, deeper layering, and more dynamic lighting that gives each environment a sense of depth. Snow‑dusted caverns, wind‑swept forests, submerged temples, and eerie machine ruins all feel alive, as though the world is breathing around you. The sound design elevates this further: ambient wildlife, distant mechanical hums, and a sweeping orchestral score that knows exactly when to swell and when to fall silent. The music guides the emotional beats and enhancing the bond between Lana and Mui.
What truly sets Planet of Lana II apart is its sense of identity. The first game was a beautiful debut, a quiet surprise that introduced a world worth exploring. The sequel feels like a statement that has deeper, more confident exploration of that world’s history, its mysteries, and its emotional core. It’s a game that trusts the player to observe, interpret, and feel rather than be told.
The only real drawback is the abruptness of its ending, which clearly positions the story for a third chapter. It’s not unsatisfying, but it does leave you wanting more and not because the game is incomplete, but because the world is so beautifully realized that stepping away from it feels like leaving a dream mid‑sentence. Some underwater sections can feel slower and less precise, and players seeking a more challenging or lengthy experience may find the pacing too soft. But these are small blemishes on an otherwise stunning canvas.
Planet of Lana II is a rare kind of sequel. It's one that deepens, enriches, and elevates its world without losing the quiet magic that made the original so special.
Pros
Gorgeous, painterly visuals with richer detail and more cinematic presentation
Deeper, more mature story that expands the world’s mythology
Mui’s expanded abilities create more varied, satisfying, and emotional puzzles
Smooth, responsive platforming with improved animation and pacing
Atmospheric sound design and a sweeping, emotionally resonant score
New machine types, environments, and set pieces add meaningful variety
Cons
Abrupt ending clearly saving major revelations for a future sequel
Underwater sections can feel slower and less precise
Some players may want more difficulty or a longer runtime
Planet of Lana II is a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich sequel that expands its universe with confidence and care. It’s visually stunning, narratively deeper, and mechanically more ambitious, offering a world that feels ancient, alive, and worth protecting. While its abrupt ending and slower underwater segments keep it just shy of perfection, it remains a remarkable experience and improves on the original in so many ways!
XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)
Planet of Lana II is available now!
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