Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf Review – A World Worth Saving

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf Review

Certain games contain the right ingredients to create the perfect recipe for an adventure title. Planet of Lana had it all: Ghibli-style visuals, clever puzzle-platforming gameplay, and emotive storytelling. Together, they helped the game resonate with players, turning it into a sleeper hit of 2023. Now, the talented team at Wishfully returns with Children of the Leaf, expanding the world they so carefully crafted, but can it capture the same love and adoration as the original, or simply retrace its previous steps?

Set a few years after the events of its predecessor, the stunning world of Novo has developed. The machines that once invaded are now part of society, supporting and improving life for the very people they once sought to conquer. While the ethos of the tribe remains one of kindness and love, the Dijinghala differ in their beliefs, harnessing the power of technology for nefarious means. As they scour the land in search of resources, a mysterious rock crashes down near Lana’s niece. Curious, she touches the stone, releasing a gas that sends her into a coma. Fueled by love and a desire for revenge, Lana sets out to find the rare ingredients needed to create a cure and to stop the Dijinghala from causing further harm to the world.

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

Although the dialogue is fictitious, the narrative is powerful. Told through actions, it instantly grips you with its compelling story, focused on family, society and the environment. At the centre of this is the bond between Lana and Mui. As you control both of the characters, you become their protector, shielding them from the dangers that lurk ahead. This builds additional investment, making each encounter and chase a tense and thrilling affair.

An evolution of its predecessor, the gameplay builds on the many elements that made the original so memorable. Lana is more capable, with the ability to hack devices and use her bond with Mui to greater effect. Together, you guide them through the array of obstacles that surface. Mui can now venture further afield, leading to some truly inventive puzzle-platforming segments. The notion of cooperation sits at the core, as Mui’s actions support Lana and vice versa. Not only does this create exciting gameplay moments, but it continues to cement their connection, ensuring the narrative and mechanics remain intertwined throughout.

Adding variety, you can now hypnotise creatures and use their abilities to help you progress to the next area. From fish that can create blind spots to beings that leave inflammable trails, each interaction feels unique, adding additional layers to the puzzles you encounter. Stealth sections offer a different type of puzzle to proceedings as you must work out how to sneak past guards, hiding in the tall grass and creating distractions to progress. While not incredibly challenging, they require some thought and enhance the game’s pacing.

The Calm Before the Storm

Countering the puzzles are high-intensity, cinematic action sequences. These segments challenge you to leap over obstacles, climb over barriers, while the environment changes in line with the action. This leads to some truly incredible set pieces that highlight Wishfully’s excellence in design.

The developers successfully expand the world, allowing you to venture to new locations on the trek to save your niece. From the snowy mountains to the rich jungles, each environment adds to the deep and complex world, layering new cultures, dangers, and mysteries into Lana’s journey.

These aspects are enhanced through the remarkable presentation. Each region is stunning, with picturesque vistas on the horizon that contrast with the mechanical dangers that lurk in each area. The influence of Studio Ghibli is palpable throughout. From the cute creatures that skitter across the terrain to the youthful leading characters, Miyazaki’s signature charm and delicate sense of wonder are woven into every frame. Takeshi Furukawa returns as composer, crafting a memorable score that elevates the game’s most emotive moments and reinforces its sense of awe and adventure.

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a remarkable game that builds on and develops the foundations of the original. Similar to its predecessor, it tells an emotive, personal story that instantly immerses you. The scope expands as you journey farther afield. Gameplay improvements elevate the adventure, introducing greater puzzle variety and tense cinematic sequences that complement one another perfectly. Though relatively short, it’s a stunning journey that will resonate long after the credits roll.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher for review***