Planet of Lana
" Beautiful action-adventure indie with immersive art and soundtrack but short, simple puzzles "
Planet of Lana Review
Planet of Lana is a visually stunning 2D puzzle platformer that combines beautiful hand-painted art with a calming and emotional soundtrack. Players control Lana and her adorable companion Mui through a linear, gently paced alien world filled with environmental storytelling. The gameplay features easy to moderate puzzles and stealth elements, with a focus on atmosphere and narrative rather than challenge. Many players appreciated the heartfelt story, charming characters, and immersive experience.
However, the game is relatively short, averaging around 4-5 hours to complete, and some found the puzzles too simple or repetitive. Controls occasionally felt clunky, especially during certain sequences, and the lack of key remapping frustrated some users. Despite these minor issues, the game is widely regarded as a relaxing and beautiful journey worth experiencing, particularly for fans of similar titles like Limbo and Inside. Anticipation for the sequel is high among the community.
Highlights
The most praised aspects include the gorgeous art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and Moebius, which creates a captivating and immersive world. The emotional soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals and enhances the atmosphere. The storyline, though simple, is touching and well conveyed through environmental storytelling and character interactions. Gameplay mechanics involving puzzle-solving and controlling two characters (Lana and Mui) are enjoyable and accessible. The game’s pacing and cozy vibe make it a relaxing experience for many players.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the simplicity and repetitiveness of puzzles, which some players found uninspired or too easy. The game’s short duration left a few wishing for more content. Control issues, especially during certain sequences like riding a robot, and the lack of key remapping options were noted as frustrating. Some players felt the story was overhyped or minimalistic and that the pacing could be slow due to excessive walking sections. A few found achievement hunting tedious due to unskippable cutscenes.
Pros
- • Beautiful hand-painted art style creates an immersive alien world.
- • Emotional and well-crafted soundtrack enhances the atmosphere.
- • Charming and lovable companion character, Mui, adds depth.
- • Accessible and enjoyable puzzle mechanics with gradual complexity.
- • Strong environmental storytelling with minimal but effective narrative.
- • Relaxing and cozy pacing suitable for casual play sessions.
- • Multiple checkpoints reduce frustration during stealth and puzzle sections.
Cons
- • Puzzles are often too simple and can feel repetitive.
- • Game length is short, around 4-5 hours of gameplay.
- • Controls can be clunky, especially during certain sequences.
- • Lack of key remapping options frustrates keyboard players.
- • Some pacing issues with excessive walking between puzzles.
- • Cutscenes cannot be skipped, making replay or achievement runs tedious.
- • Story may feel minimalistic or overhyped to some players.
Rating Criteria
A young girl and her loyal friend embark on a rescue mission through a colorful world full of cold machines and unfamiliar creatures. Planet of Lana is a cinematic puzzle adventure framed by an epic sci-fi saga that stretches across centuries and galaxies.
