Planet of Lana II: Kids of the Leaf is a cinematic puzzle/platformer that focuses extra on ambiance and storytelling than motion. I haven’t performed the primary recreation, however this nonetheless works tremendous as a standalone expertise. It pulls you in fairly rapidly, and even with out a lot dialogue, it’s simple to know what’s happening.
The story is usually advised by means of visuals, character animations, and what’s taking place round you. You’re shifting by means of a mixture of pure landscapes and areas that really feel extra darkish and mechanical, and that distinction performs into the general tone of the sport. I favored that it doesn’t overexplain issues, however that additionally means some moments can really feel a bit of obscure. Nonetheless, it stays constant, and the deal with the connection between the primary characters helps carry it ahead as you progress.
Gameplay sticks to puzzle/platforming, however there’s extra selection right here than you would possibly count on at first. Lots of the puzzles contain working alongside your companion, whether or not that’s distracting enemies, triggering mechanisms, or timing actions so you possibly can transfer ahead safely. There are additionally stealth sections the place you need to keep away from detection, and some sequences that really feel extra cinematic, like escaping threats or navigating collapsing environments. None of it’s particularly difficult, nonetheless there have been a number of moments the place I discovered myself staring on the display for some time attempting to determine one of the best ways to finish a number of the tougher puzzles. It’s paced properly and introduces new concepts typically sufficient to maintain issues from feeling repetitive.
The visuals are simply one among my favourite elements of the sport. The environments have a hand-painted look, with areas starting from open, colourful landscapes to darker sections with a heavier mechanical presence. There’s a noticeable shift in tone relying on the place you’re within the recreation, which helps preserve the journey from feeling flat. It runs properly on the Nintendo Swap, each handheld and docked, and I didn’t run into any efficiency points. The soundtrack is fairly good too, particularly throughout quieter moments or when the sport leans into extra tense sequences.
The most important draw back remains to be the size. It’s a brief expertise general, and it ends simply because it feels prefer it’s beginning to construct momentum. The puzzles additionally keep on the simpler facet, so when you’re searching for one thing tougher, this most likely gained’t push you very a lot. That stated, it does preserve issues shifting, and there isn’t a lot downtime or filler.
Total, Planet of Lana II: Kids of the Leaf is a stable, well-paced expertise that does lots proper, even when it doesn’t go very far with its concepts. In the event you’re a fan of puzzle-platformers or slower-paced, story-driven video games, that is one you’ll possible get pleasure from. Simply don’t count on an extended or significantly demanding expertise.
