Planet of Lana II Doubles Down on Puzzle Adventure—Here’s Why That Matters

Planet of Lana flew under the radar for a lot of gamers, but those who played it know just how much heart and artistry Wishfully poured into their debut. So when Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf was announced, promising a bigger, deeper return to planet Novo, it immediately grabbed my attention-not just as a fan of atmospheric puzzle adventures, but as someone who’s watched the “cinematic indie” space evolve over the years. If you loved the first game’s blend of brain-teasing puzzles, gentle storytelling, and offbeat companionship, this sequel looks ready to raise the stakes in all the right ways.

Planet of Lana II: What’s Actually New and Why It’s a Big Deal

• Expanded Collaborative Gameplay: New abilities like wall jumping and gliding mean Lana and Mui’s teamwork will matter more than ever-expect more elaborate, satisfying puzzles.
• Longer, Deeper Story: The sequel promises a much longer adventure and a narrative more focused on friendship and mystery, addressing one of the few criticisms leveled at the original.
• Broader Platform Reach: Unlike the first game’s timed exclusivity, Planet of Lana II hits all major consoles from day one-even the Nintendo Switch.
• Composer Returns: Takeshi Furukawa (The Last Guardian) is back, which is huge for fans of emotional, atmospheric soundtracks.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Wishfully
Release Date	2026
Genres	Puzzle Adventure, Platformer, Narrative
Platforms	Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch

The first Planet of Lana was a short, beautiful ride—think Limbo meets Studio Ghibli, with a sidekick you actually care about. It nailed the emotional beats but left some of us wanting more depth (and, frankly, more game). Based on what Wishfully is showing for the sequel, they heard that feedback loud and clear.

This time, the gameplay’s getting a real overhaul. Lana’s new abilities—wall jumping, gliding, sliding—suggest puzzles will demand more coordination and creativity. The promise of “enhanced collaborative gameplay” isn’t just PR fluff; in the last game, Mui was your adorable Swiss Army knife. Now, with both characters growing, there’s a chance for genuinely fresh mechanics, not just more of the same.

The studio is also teasing underwater environments and stealth sections. As someone who’s tired of “stealth” just meaning trial-and-error, I’m hoping Wishfully uses these segments to reinforce the relationship between Lana and Mui, not just pad out the runtime. That’s the kind of focus that made the first game’s best moments stick with me long after the credits rolled.

Let’s talk about the story. Five hours was enough for a heartfelt opening act, but Wishfully says Planet of Lana II will be “much longer” and dig deeper into its themes of friendship and mystery. If they can avoid the sequel trap of just inflating playtime with filler (something plenty of indie sequels have stumbled into), this could be a rare case of ‘more is more’—especially with Furukawa’s soundtrack providing the emotional backbone. His work on The Last Guardian and the first Planet of Lana practically guarantees the sequel will be dripping with mood.

On the business side, it’s refreshing to see a game like this going wide from day one. The original’s staggered release (looking at you, Xbox Game Pass) meant a lot of PlayStation and Switch players missed out, or only joined the conversation once the initial buzz had faded. That’s not just good for sales; it’s good for community, too. If there’s one thing narrative puzzle-platformers thrive on, it’s players sharing their “aha!” moments without dodging spoilers because of platform timing.

There’s still plenty we don’t know. For example, the Switch 2 is nowhere to be seen in the announcement, which is odd given the timing. Also, Wishfully’s Adam Stjärnljus says, “We always knew Lana and Mui’s story wasn’t over,” and that’s true—but it also sets the bar for meaningful narrative payoff, not just another round of pretty, melancholic platforming. If they can deepen the bond between characters while delivering puzzles that reward genuine teamwork (not just “press X to Mui”), Planet of Lana II could be the indie sequel that actually justifies its existence.

Why This Matters for Gamers in 2026

This isn’t just about another pretty indie platformer getting a sequel; it’s about a studio listening to feedback and aiming to truly evolve. The promise of enhanced mechanics, a longer and richer story, and a day-one launch on every major platform means more players get to experience what made the original special—hopefully with fewer rough edges. Planet of Lana II looks set to be one of 2026’s most meaningful narrative adventures for anyone who values story, atmosphere, and clever design.

TL;DR: Planet of Lana II Doubles Down on What Worked—And Might Fix What Didn’t

If Wishfully can deliver expanded puzzles, a meaningful story, and genuine mechanical growth, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf could be the rare sequel that deserves its place. Keep your eyes on this one—it’s shaping up to be more than just a rerun, and adventure fans should definitely put it on their radar.