Review: Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf (Nintendo Switch)

Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a cinematic puzzle/platformer that focuses more on atmosphere and storytelling than action. I haven’t played the first game, but this still works fine as a standalone experience. It pulls you in pretty quickly, and even without much dialogue, it’s easy to understand what’s going on.

The story is mostly told through visuals, character animations, and what’s happening around you. You’re moving through a mix of natural landscapes and areas that feel more dark and mechanical, and that contrast plays into the overall tone of the game. I liked that it doesn’t overexplain things, but that also means some moments can feel a little vague. Still, it stays consistent, and the focus on the connection between the main characters helps carry it forward as you progress.

Gameplay sticks to puzzle/platforming, but there’s more variety here than you might expect at first. A lot of the puzzles involve working alongside your companion, whether that’s distracting enemies, triggering mechanisms, or timing movements so you can move forward safely. There are also stealth sections where you have to avoid detection, and a few sequences that feel more cinematic, like escaping threats or navigating collapsing environments. None of it is especially challenging, however there were a few moments where I found myself staring at the screen for a while trying to figure out the best way to complete some of the more difficult puzzles. It’s paced well and introduces new ideas often enough to keep things from feeling repetitive.

The visuals are easily one of my favorite parts of the game. The environments have a hand-painted look, with areas ranging from open, colorful landscapes to darker sections with a heavier mechanical presence. There’s a noticeable shift in tone depending on where you are in the game, which helps keep the journey from feeling flat. It runs well on the Nintendo Switch, both handheld and docked, and I didn’t run into any performance issues. The soundtrack is pretty good too, especially during quieter moments or when the game leans into more tense sequences.

The biggest downside is still the length. It’s a short experience overall, and it ends just as it feels like it’s starting to build momentum. The puzzles also stay on the easier side, so if you’re looking for something more challenging, this probably won’t push you very much. That said, it does keep things moving, and there isn’t much downtime or filler.

Overall, Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf is a solid, well-paced experience that does a lot right, even if it doesn’t go very far with its ideas. If you’re a fan of puzzle-platformers or slower-paced, story-driven games, this is one you’ll likely enjoy. Just don’t expect a long or particularly demanding experience.