Planet of Lana II Children of the Leaf: Why This Game Pass Launch Deserves Your Attention
Wishfully's gorgeous puzzle adventure sequel launches today on Game Pass. Here's why Planet of Lana II deserves your attention.
March 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Ex-competitive player turned writer. If a game has a ranked mode, I've probably grinded it. I write about what's worth your sweat.
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf launches today, and if you have Game Pass, you already have access to one of the most visually stunning games of the year. The sequel to Wishfully's 2023 cinematic puzzle adventure expands on everything that made the original memorable while doubling the runtime and giving protagonist Lana meaningful new abilities.
Early reviews are glowing. This is the kind of indie gem that deserves more attention than it will probably get on a crowded launch day.
What Is Planet of Lana II?
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf
Wishfully · Thunderful
Mar 5, 2026
Embark on an unforgettable cinematic puzzle journey with Lana and her loyal companion Mui. Whether you're a returning hero or a new adventurer, ste…
Children of the Leaf continues the story of Lana and her companion Mui. While the first game dealt with a machine invasion, the sequel shifts focus toward uncovering the buried lore of Lana's clan. Ancient mysteries emerge from Novo's hidden depths, and a new threat tests the bond between girl and creature.
The core gameplay remains puzzle platforming with companion mechanics. You guide both characters through environments, using their unique abilities to solve environmental challenges. But the sequel expands the formula significantly.
What's New
Lana has grown more capable since the first adventure. The biggest addition is device hacking, letting her interact with machinery in new ways. Her bond with Mui also deepens mechanically, with expanded cooperative puzzle solutions that leverage the relationship between them.
Verticality plays a larger role. Where the original moved mostly horizontally through its hand-painted world, Children of the Leaf climbs and descends through layered environments. The puzzle design reflects this, requiring players to think in three dimensions rather than two.
The campaign runs 6 to 8 hours, roughly double the length of the first game. For a cinematic puzzle adventure, that feels like the right scope. Long enough to tell a meaningful story without overstaying its welcome.
Critical Reception
Reviews describe Children of the Leaf as a near perfect package. Critics praise the moving narrative, the charming characters, and puzzle design that stays varied throughout the runtime. The art direction and music continue to impress, building on the Studio Ghibli influenced aesthetic that defined the original.
The consensus positions this as a good but not fully transformative sequel. It expands the best parts of Planet of Lana without reinventing them. For fans of the original, that should be exactly what they want. For newcomers, the sequel works as a standalone entry while offering more reasons to go back and play the first.
Platforms and Availability
Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf launches March 5, 2026 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The game arrives on Xbox Game Pass day one, making it an instant play for subscribers.
A demo was available on Xbox starting February 11 for anyone who wanted to test the waters before committing.
Should You Play It?
If you appreciated the original Planet of Lana or enjoy cinematic puzzle platformers in the vein of Limbo, Inside, or Little Nightmares, this belongs on your list. The barrier to entry is essentially zero for Game Pass subscribers.
On a launch day that includes Slay the Spire 2 and Marathon, Planet of Lana II risks getting lost in the noise. That would be a shame. Few games this year will match its visual artistry or the emotional resonance of its companion relationship. Give it a chance.