Planet of Lana is a beautiful cinematic adventure full of mystery, suspense, and charm. With stunning hand-painted backdrops, an enchanting musical score, and characters you care for, the companion-based mechanics and bond between Lana and Mui make this one very special adventure. The changing environments and variety of puzzle scenarios throughout work together to keep me invested.
While it is reminiscent of the puzzle-platforming found in Playdead’s Inside and Limbo, Planet of Lana firmly stands out thanks to its companion-focused mechanics, which make for more unique challenges. Protagonist Lana teams up with an adorable cat-like creature called Mui, and since they both have different strengths and weaknesses, the pair make for a functional duo who balance each other out well.
What strikes me most about Planet of Lana is just how effectively it makes you care about its characters, and what’s happening to them from moment to moment. Even though they only communicate through select verbal cues in a fictional language, so much feeling is conveyed through their tone and the music. The bond that’s formed between Lana and Mui is one you can believe in, and the attachment I feel to the both of them is what turns this experience into something truly special.
It didn’t take long for me to get invested in Lana’s journey, with Wishfully working to quickly draw me into the adventure and establish my motivation. Planet of Lana opens during a gentle moment between the protagonist and her sister on the outskirts of a peaceful village they call home. But the presence of mysterious machines shooting down from the sky suddenly cuts through the quiet, and Lana’s sister is soon captured.
Spending time in the intriguing world setting full of mysterious creatures and machines is a surprising joy thanks in no small part to its beautiful hand-painted art style, and the accompanying emotive musical score from The Last Guardian composer, Takeshi Furukawa.
Overall, Planet of Lana is a moving, gripping adventure with characters you care about and great puzzle variety. Directing Mui can be finicky at times but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience. If you’re looking for an adventure that will tug at your heartstrings while also providing engaging gameplay, Planet of Lana is definitely worth checking out.
In conclusion, Planet of Lana is a must-play for fans of cinematic adventures with engaging gameplay and emotional storytelling. The bond between Lana and Mui is truly special and will stay with you long after you’ve finished playing. Don’t miss out on this beautiful journey.
