There are games that grab your attention through spectacle, and then there are those that quietly work their way into your affections. Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf belongs firmly in the latter category. Its appeal lies not only in the beauty of its alien world but in the relationship at the centre of the adventure. Lana and her little companion, Mui, are more than two characters travelling in the same direction. Their bond is the emotional foundation of the experience, giving its puzzles, dangers and discoveries a sense of purpose that goes beyond simply reaching the next destination.
The Kindred Spirits Edition brings this acclaimed sequel to PlayStation 5 in a special physical package designed to appeal to collectors and fans of the series. Alongside the game itself, the edition includes an exclusive box, a 48-page artbook, a sticker sheet, three art cards and the Supporters Pack DLC. It is a thoughtful collection of extras that recognises the importance of the game’s visual identity and the affection players have developed for its world. For anyone who enjoys having something tangible to accompany a memorable digital adventure, there is genuine appeal here.
However, a special edition can only be as good as the game it celebrates. Fortunately, Planet of Lana II has considerably more going for it than an attractive box and some collectable artwork. Wishfully Studios has taken the foundations of the original adventure and expanded them, delivering a cinematic puzzle-platformer that combines exploration, stealth, environmental problem-solving and an unexpectedly affecting story about loyalty, friendship and the future of a world under threat.
A World Divided
The story finds Lana and Mui facing a home planet increasingly threatened by greed and the pursuit of power. As the tribes divide and forces reshape the world around them, the pair find themselves caught up in a struggle that is about much more than personal survival. There is a sense that something precious is at risk of being lost, and the journey becomes a fight for the very soul of their home.
It is an effective premise because the conflict feels connected to the world rather than existing simply as an excuse to send the characters on another adventure. The different communities, landscapes and creatures help create the impression of a living place with its own history and relationships. There is a welcome sense of scale to the journey, too, as Lana and Mui travel through snowy mountains, dangerous waters and unfamiliar environments, encountering majestic creatures and friendly forest communities along the way.
What makes the story particularly appealing is the emphasis on Lana and Mui’s evolving relationship. Their connection provides an emotional thread that carries the adventure through its quieter passages and more dangerous encounters. It is easy to become invested in their journey because the game understands that companionship is not merely a gameplay mechanic. It is the reason the adventure has a heart.
Two Travellers, One Adventure
The companion mechanics are central to the experience, and the sequel builds meaningfully on the dual-character approach established by its predecessor. Progress depends on cooperation, with Lana and Mui working together to overcome obstacles neither could tackle alone. Directing Mui through narrow openings, activating distant switches and interacting with environmental elements give the puzzles a satisfying sense of teamwork.
There is something particularly enjoyable about how these interactions encourage players to consider both characters as part of the same solution. Rather than simply treating Mui as an accessory who follows Lana around, the game makes the little creature an active participant in the adventure. The relationship between the pair becomes something players experience through their actions, not merely something communicated through the narrative.
The environmental puzzles also benefit from this approach. Manipulating ancient machinery, interacting with local flora and working through electrical challenges introduce variety without abandoning the game’s central emphasis on observation and experimentation. The best moments come when a solution requires you to understand how the environment works and then coordinate the two characters to put that knowledge into practice.
These puzzles are designed around physical interaction with the world, which helps them feel connected to the places Lana and Mui explore. They are not simply abstract problems dropped into an otherwise decorative landscape. Instead, the surroundings become part of the challenge, encouraging players to pay attention to objects, pathways and mechanisms that might initially seem insignificant.
Stealth, Danger and the Need to Think Ahead
Of course, not every encounter can be resolved through careful puzzle-solving. Lana and Mui must also contend with patrolling robotic units and aggressive indigenous creatures, and the absence of conventional weapons gives these encounters a different character from a typical action platformer. Survival depends on stealth, timing and knowing when to move, rather than charging into danger and relying on brute force.
Cover becomes important, while distractions can provide opportunities to slip past threats. This gives the more dangerous sections a welcome change of pace, particularly when the game shifts from peaceful exploration into a tense encounter. There is a satisfying contrast between the freedom of wandering through a beautiful landscape and the concentration required when something hostile is nearby.
The platforming itself is designed to keep the journey moving. Responsive ledge grabs, fluid movement and momentum-based traversal help Lana navigate the environments without making every jump feel like an unnecessary obstacle. The movement complements the cinematic presentation, allowing the game to move naturally between exploration, puzzle-solving and more demanding sequences.
There are occasions when stealth and chase sections can be a little less forgiving. Some encounters require players to learn enemy patterns and remember the timing of particular movements, which can lead to a degree of trial and error. A sudden mistake may mean repeating a section, and those moments can interrupt the otherwise graceful flow of the adventure. They are not enough to undermine the experience, but they do remind you that the journey is not always as serene as its presentation might suggest.
A Stunning Alien World
Visually, Planet of Lana II is an absolute delight. Its hand-painted aesthetic gives the world a distinctive identity, with vibrant ecosystems, towering structures and striking landscapes that create a sense of wonder at almost every turn. The environments have a painterly quality that makes them feel carefully composed, while the camera framing helps convey the world’s scale and the smallness of the two travellers moving through it.
The variety of locations is particularly important. Snow-covered mountains, dangerous underwater environments and lush areas filled with unfamiliar life help prevent the adventure from feeling visually repetitive. Each new setting offers another reason to pause and appreciate the scenery, even when there is a puzzle to solve or a threat waiting just around the corner.
The cinematic camera work is also a significant part of the presentation. Sweeping views provide a sense of scale, while more intimate framing keeps the focus on Lana and Mui when the story calls for it. This balance between spectacle and character is one of the game’s greatest strengths. The world is beautiful, but it never feels as though the characters have been pushed aside simply to show it off.
The musical score deserves equal praise. Its sweeping orchestral arrangements adapt to the changing mood, supporting quiet moments of exploration before building towards more dramatic encounters and cinematic revelations. The music gives the journey an emotional dimension, often reinforcing the feeling that Lana and Mui are travelling through a world that is both magnificent and fragile. Combined with the environmental sound design, it creates an atmosphere that is difficult to forget.
The Kindred Spirits Edition
The special physical edition offers an appealing way to experience the game, particularly for those who appreciate the artwork and world-building behind it. The exclusive box gives the package its own identity, while the 48-page artbook offers a welcome opportunity to spend more time with the visual ideas that make the adventure so distinctive. The sticker sheet and three art cards add further collectible touches, and the inclusion of the Supporters Pack DLC makes the package more substantial than a standard physical release.
It is worth remembering that the Kindred Spirits Edition is a celebration of the game rather than a fundamentally different version of the adventure. The additional items are there to complement the experience, not transform it. That is perfectly reasonable, especially when the underlying game is strong enough to justify a special release in its own right.
The edition is available on PlayStation 5, with the Nintendo Switch 2 version scheduled for release in European markets on 12 November. The Switch 2 package takes a slightly different approach, including a redeemable game code alongside the physical collectibles. For collectors, that distinction is worth bearing in mind when deciding which version to pick up.
A Sequel That Understands What Made the Original Special
One of the most pleasing things about Planet of Lana II is that its expansion of the original formula does not come at the expense of its identity. It introduces deeper exploration, more collaborative puzzles, additional creatures, new factions and more varied action sequences, yet the emotional relationship between Lana and Mui remains at the centre of everything. That consistency is important because it gives the sequel a clear sense of direction. Bigger is not automatically better, but here the additional ideas generally feel like natural extensions of what made the first adventure appealing.
There are limitations. The relatively linear structure means players should not expect a sprawling world filled with countless optional discoveries, and the occasional trial-and-error encounter can be frustrating. Those looking for extensive combat systems, open-ended exploration or a constant stream of complex challenges may find the experience more restrained than they would prefer. Yet that restraint is also part of its charm. The game knows the kind of adventure it wants to deliver and rarely loses sight of it.
Ultimately, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf succeeds because it understands the value of atmosphere, companionship and carefully paced storytelling. Its puzzles encourage cooperation, its stealth sequences provide moments of tension, and its beautiful environments make the journey feel like something worth undertaking. Most importantly, Lana and Mui remain a wonderfully engaging pair, and their relationship gives the adventure an emotional centre that many larger productions struggle to achieve.
The Kindred Spirits Edition is a lovely physical celebration of that achievement. Its artbook and collectable extras are a fitting tribute to a game whose visual identity is such a major part of its appeal. Whether you are returning to Lana and Mui or discovering their world for the first time, this is a sequel that deserves to be experienced. It is a beautiful, thoughtful adventure with enough new ideas to make the journey feel fresh, while retaining the warmth and wonder that made the original so memorable.
