Review of Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana: A Stunning Journey Through a Beautifully Realized World

Planet of Lana is a side-scrolling adventure game that combines puzzle platforming with a gorgeously-realized world. Developed by Swedish studio Wishfully Studios and published by Thunderful Games, this indie game is a true testament to the power of stunning artwork and captivating storytelling.

A Captivating Story and Beautiful Artwork

In Planet of Lana, players embark on a journey as a young girl who must rescue her kidnapped sister in the aftermath of an extra-terrestrial invasion. Along the way, she must navigate through stunning environments, evade robots, outsmart monsters, and even play giant wind instruments. The hand-drawn backgrounds in this game are simply breathtaking, with each location offering a unique and lively atmosphere.

The game’s soundtrack and ambient audio further enhance the immersive experience, perfectly complementing the visuals and creating a truly captivating world. The combination of stunning artwork, moving soundtrack, and ambient audio make Planet of Lana a feast for the senses.

Challenging Puzzles and Platforming

While the puzzles in Planet of Lana aren’t particularly difficult, they provide a satisfying challenge that keeps players engaged without becoming frustrating. The puzzles revolve around safely navigating the main character, Lana, and her companion past various obstacles. Lana can command her companion to stop, move to a specific location, and come to her when called. This back-and-forth support between the two characters not only aids in solving puzzles but also helps build the story of their friendship.

The platforming mechanics in Planet of Lana are simple yet effective, with players utilizing sneaking, jumping, and object interaction to progress through the game. The gameplay mechanics are easy to grasp, allowing players to focus more on the captivating story and stunning visuals.

A Cohesive and Delightful Experience

One of the standout features of Planet of Lana is its cohesiveness. The game seamlessly combines its captivating story, beautiful artwork, and engaging gameplay mechanics to create a truly delightful experience. The pacing of the game is well-balanced, with each element playing off of the others to create a sense of swiftness and momentum.

The game’s tone is decidedly cheerful, despite the invasion and kidnapping backdrop. This tonal choice, along with the lush art, sets Planet of Lana apart from other games in the genre that tend to focus on fear and anxiety. The game seeks to express the beauty of its setting and the purity of its characters, even in the face of terrifying circumstances.

A Short but Memorable Journey

Planet of Lana may be a short game, but it leaves a lasting impression. The story of a kidnapped sister and the journey to rescue her remains the central focus throughout the game, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the emotional journey. The game’s simplicity allows it to focus on its more important aspects, such as the growing bond between Lana and her companion, as well as the intriguing history and world that slowly reveal themselves as players progress.

Final Thoughts

Planet of Lana is a rare gem in the gaming world. Its stunning artwork, captivating story, and cohesive gameplay mechanics combine to create a truly memorable experience. While the puzzles and platforming may not be the most challenging, the game’s other aspects more than make up for it. If you’re a fan of puzzle-platformers or simply appreciate beautiful art, Planet of Lana is a must-play. And with its availability on Game Pass, there’s no reason not to embark on this breathtaking journey

Planet of Lana is available now on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.