Planet of Lana 2: Has Wishfully Studios Brewed Up a Truly Magical Sequel?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Looks like *Planet of Lana 2* is brewing up a truly magical sequel, promising deeper narrative, more complex puzzles, and ingenious new creature-controlling mechanics that go beyond just a pretty face, as detailed in a hands-on preview from Polygon.
Right, so you know how sometimes sequels are just... *more*? Like when you try to cast a 'bigger, better, faster' spell and it just makes everything slightly glowier without actually doing anything genuinely new or interesting? Well, apparently, Wishfully Studios might just be shaking things up with *Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf*, and my wand is certainly twitching with curiosity.
I've been poring over the details from a hands-on preview, and bloody hell, it sounds like they’ve managed to sprinkle a fair bit of genuine innovation on what was already a charming little puzzle-platformer. This whole magical deep dive comes courtesy of Marloes Valentina Stella's hands-on preview over at Polygon – definitely worth a read for the full lowdown.
The original *Planet of Lana* was a rather beautiful, if somewhat linear, tale of a girl and her adorable cat-like companion, Mui, trying to escape a robotic invasion. Think *Limbo* meets a Miyazaki film, with a sprinkle of 'oh my god, protect Mui at all costs.' Now, the sequel is promising to be 'bigger, prettier, and deeper in every way,' which is a bold claim, mate, but the preview suggests it might actually deliver.
**A Deeper Dive into the Lore (and Mui's Powers?)**
First up, the narrative. The first game was pretty straightforward – save your village, avoid the robots. *Planet of Lana 2* throws Lana and Mui into an 'ancient mystery.' I'm always intrigued when a game promises to peel back the layers of its world, especially when it's done well. Creative Director Adam Stjärnljus hinted at exploring 'much more of the lore and the history of the planets,' explaining 'why everything is the way it is.'
Now, I'm generally a bit skeptical of games suddenly dumping reams of lore on you. Sometimes, the mystery is more enchanting than the explanation, right? But if it's woven into the fabric of the game – discovering ancient relics, deciphering murals, perhaps even meeting new NPCs and visiting 'new villages' as Stjärnljus mentioned – then count me in. The idea of other characters joining the journey adds a whole new dimension, moving beyond just Lana and Mui’s duo. It could make the world feel a lot more alive, which is always a win in my book.
And then there's the potential supervillain. A 'cloaked scientist-type figure' who had the sheer audacity to put poor Mui in a cage during the demo? My mind immediately went to 'evil wizard trying to siphon power from cute creature,' doesn't it? What exactly are Mui's powers, beyond being devastatingly adorable and occasionally hypnotizing smaller critters? This new antagonist, if that's what they are, could provide a more personal, intriguing conflict than just 'escape the generic robots.'
One thing that caught my eye: Stjärnljus assured that while the games are tied, *Planet of Lana 2* has a 'separate narrative' and doesn't require you to play the original. That's a clever trick, opening the door for new players without alienating the veterans. It's like finding a new path into a familiar magical forest – same enchanting vibe, different journey.
**Gameplay That's More Than Just a Pretty Picture**
Where *Planet of Lana 2* really seems to be leveling up is in its gameplay. The original was stunning, no doubt, but the puzzles, while solid, weren't always mind-bendingly complex. The sequel, however, sounds like it's going full-on wizard school, throwing new spells and mechanics at you from every angle.
The demo showcased four distinct environmental segments – snowy mountains, underwater realms, industrial buildings, and lush forests. And here's the kicker: they 'really play differently,' not just look different. That's the sort of design philosophy I absolutely love. It’s not just a reskin; it’s a re-think of how you interact with the world.
Take the underwater realm, for instance. Lana can swim, but Mui, bless his little non-amphibious heart, cannot. The solution? A 'black bubble-like creature (or thing?) to carry Mui like a little submarine on a leash.' Fair dinkum, that's brilliant! And it gets better: Mui can now 'hypnotize and take control of a tiny black-and-white fish' to drop ink and create diversions. That's not just problem-solving; that's tactical animal manipulation! I'm genuinely excited to see what other creatures Mui can command. Imagine the possibilities!
The industrial building segment sounded like a proper escape room – pushing buttons in a correct order, Mui navigating air vents (his 'range' clearly improved, meaning more complex multi-zone puzzles). And 'moving magnetic cubes from wall to wall' sounds like a classic brain-teaser in the making. It’s the kind of environmental puzzle design that can really make you feel like a clever sod when you finally crack it.
Stjärnljus confirmed that 'The puzzles are more complex' and the 'collaboration between Lana and Mui has been expanded upon, which should make it more fun and varied, with new jamming and hacking abilities, and the fact that you can take over creatures.' My inner digital wizard is practically vibrating with anticipation. Getting hold of a 'cute blob creature that could float around while carrying water' to grow bamboo shoots for climbing? That's pure, unadulterated magical mischief, and I'm all for it.
**Double the Magic, Double the Fun?**
All these new mechanics and narrative promises lead to one big question: how long is this adventure? The original was a tight five hours. *Planet of Lana 2* is apparently 'around double the length.' That's either twice the magic or twice the padding, right? Given the genuinely innovative new puzzle mechanics and creature-controlling antics, I'm leaning heavily towards the former. More engaging puzzles, more lore, more varied gameplay – that sounds like a proper journey, not just an extended stroll.
The forest segment, in particular, was described as 'positively magical,' which is exactly what I want from a *Planet of Lana* game. While the snow segment perhaps didn't show off as many unique mechanics, seeing all four environments together and the promise of a truly expanded experience has me cautiously optimistic. It feels like Wishfully Studios isn't just trying to make *more* *Planet of Lana*; they're trying to make a *better*, *deeper*, and significantly *more inventive* *Planet of Lana*.
Coming to PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Switch in 2026, *Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf* has certainly cast a spell on my expectations. Let’s hope it sticks the landing like a perfectly executed teleportation spell, rather than a misfired fireball that singes your eyebrows.
Tags: Puzzle-Platformer, Indie Game, Adventure, Gamescom, Sequel
Original article: Polygon