Lannah
18 June 2023
Planet of Lana
Planet of Lana takes players on a captivating journey through a visually stunning world, accompanied by an enchanting soundtrack. As Lana, the young protagonist, you navigate through a peaceful village, honing your skills in jumping, crouching, and swimming. However, the tranquillity is shattered when robots descend from the sky, capturing Lana’s sister and the entire town. Driven by determination, Lana embarks on a quest to rescue her loved ones joined by her companion, Mui. Planet of Lana is an indie platformer puzzle game available on Xbox and PC. Developed by Wishfully and published by Thunderful Publishing, Planet of Lana was released on May 23, 2023.
The visual presentation of Planet of Lana is exceptional. The hand-drawn backgrounds are works of art, immersing players in breathtaking landscapes ranging from forests to deserts and highlands. The attention to detail and the art style blend seamlessly, creating a vibrant and alive world. Complementing the visuals, the game's soundtrack adds depth and emotion, enhancing both intense and heartfelt moments.
While the puzzles in Planet of Lana offer enjoyable challenges, some may find them a bit too easy and repetitive.
Many puzzles involve hiding in the grass or timing jumps with Mui’s assistance. Although the companion puzzles bring a cool dynamic to the gameplay, most of them are straightforward and lack significant difficulty. One notable addition is further in the story Mui gets an upgrade that allows him to hypnotize enemies, adding a unique twist to puzzle-solving. Lana also discovers a remarkable band, which grants her the incredible alien technology to manipulate drones and utilize their assistance in solving puzzles.
When it comes to the PC version of the game, I opted to play with a keyboard and mouse, although it is recommended to use a controller. However, I found the keyboard controls to be simple, intuitive, and straightforward. Navigating Lana through her adventures was a breeze with no major hiccups or complications. One standout aspect of the PC was the solid performance. Throughout my playthrough I experienced no noticeable lag or frame drops, resulting in a consistently smooth gameplay experience. The game runs at a steady 60fps, which definitely contributes to the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.
For those who enjoy exploration, Planet of Lana offers an additional layer of discovery with 10 hidden shrines scattered throughout the game. Some shrines are cleverly hidden in hard-to-reach places, adding a satisfying challenge for those who like to hunt achievements.
Overall, Planet of Lana is an exceptional gaming experience that seamlessly blends stunning visuals, graphics, captivating gameplay, and a touching story. The hand-drawn graphics, enchanting music, and adorable companion create an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're a fan of puzzles, side-scrolling games, and/or simply yearn for a heartwarming journey, Planet of Lana is a must-play title that will leave you captivated and tug at your heartstrings.
7
10
The Bad
- Great story
- Amazing graphics
- Smooth mechanics, easy to play
- AI was too easy to predict during puzzles
- Puzzles are somewhat too wasy and repetitive