If you thought saving the vibrant planet of Novo was a one-and-done deal, it is time to grab your controller and rethink your weekend plans.

Since its highly anticipated launch on March 5, 2026, Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf has been quietly dominating the gaming conversation. In a year already packed with massive AAA releases and next-gen console launches, Wishfully Studios has somehow managed to capture everyone’s attention with a 2D indie puzzle-platformer.

We are now in mid-April, and the critical consensus is undeniable. Between its glowing Metacritic scores and its sweep of early-year critical praise, Planet of Lana II is officially the indie darling of 2026. Here is a factual, spoiler-free look at exactly why this sequel is succeeding, how the gameplay has evolved, and why you absolutely need to play it.

The Glow-Up: Older, Wiser, and Way More Agile

The first Planet of Lana (released back in 2023) was gorgeous, but let us be honest: Lana’s movement speed sometimes felt like she was wading through molasses. The sequel completely throws that limitation out the window.

Set two years after the events of the original game, Lana has grown up. She is noticeably more mature, incredibly confident, and most importantly for us gamers, highly agile. The development team clearly listened to player feedback, completely overhauling the traversal mechanics.

What is new in Lana’s moveset?

• Wall Jumping & Dashing: You can now chain together rapid movements to clear massive gaps and outsmart hostile machinery.
• Sliding: A highly satisfying momentum mechanic that makes dodging enemy sightlines much more dynamic.
• Underwater Exploration: We are no longer confined to dry land. Lana can now dive into deep ocean biomes to solve submerged environmental puzzles.

But Lana is only half of the equation. Her cat-like companion, Mui, has also received a massive power upgrade. Mui can now actively hack into enemy machines and use newly awakened telepathic abilities to briefly mind-control other alien creatures in the world. The puzzles no longer just ask you to “stand on this switch.” They require actual synchronized teamwork.

A Darker, Deeper Sci-Fi Narrative

If the first game was about surviving an invasion, the sequel is about dealing with the messy aftermath.

Wishfully Studios made a bold choice by pivoting to a noticeably darker narrative. The primary antagonists this time around are the Dijinghala, a ruthless faction that has aggressively weaponized technology to strip the planet of its resources.

“It’s a story told through environment, music, and the undeniable bond between our protagonist and their loyal companion… Planet of Lana 2 dodges the big mistake most sequels make.”  –  Polygon

Just like its predecessor, Planet of Lana II features absolutely zero spoken dialogue. Every ounce of the story is conveyed through the spectacular body language animated by Olle Engstrom’s expanded team, the hand-painted environments, and the soaring orchestral score by returning composer Takeshi Furukawa.

Also, expect to settle in for a longer ride. The developers have doubled the playtime, bringing the sequel to a highly satisfying 6 to 8-hour adventure spanning icy mountains, deep oceans, and forgotten ruins.

The Critical Consensus: By the Numbers

You do not have to take my word for it. The review aggregator data from the past month paints a very clear picture of why this game is dominating early award discussions.

Publication	Score	The Verdict
Nintendo Life	9 / 10	“A visually intoxicating journey.”
Destructoid	8.5 / 10	Praised the meaningful narrative answers and deeper puzzles.
IGN	Favorable	“Like a Star Wars Story Made by Studio Ghibli.”
GameSpot	8 / 10	Highlighted the refined animations and quiet, effective narrative.
Steam Users	91% Positive	Currently sitting at a “Very Positive” user rating.

Is It Worth Playing if You Skipped the First Game?

The short answer is yes. Thunderful Publishing has marketed Children of the Leaf as a standalone experience. The game does an excellent job of teaching you the ropes and establishing the emotional stakes without requiring a textbook of prior lore.

However, if you want the maximum emotional payoff – especially regarding the mysteries surrounding Mui’s origins – playing the 2023 original first is highly recommended.

Planet of Lana II is currently available across practically every piece of hardware on the market, including PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and both the Nintendo Switch and the brand-new Nintendo Switch 2.

If you are suffering from open-world fatigue and just want a masterfully paced, six-hour cinematic adventure that will genuinely make you feel something, this is the game to beat in 2026. Just be prepared to get very attached to a fictional cat-creature all over again.