In case you’re in search of a fast and beautiful recreation, one you may polish off in a few relaxed afternoons, Planet of Lana matches the invoice. Beforehand an Xbox console unique, it is come to PlayStation now, and can converse to anybody who loved the likes of Limbo or Inside.
It is in the identical vein, with a small and powerless protagonist whom it’s essential to information by means of a robotic invasion of her serene residence world. Teaming up with a cute native critter, you may sneak previous robots and different nasties within the hopes of saving your family and friends.
With an exquisite painterly artwork model, the principle strengths of Planet of Lana are within the visible and soundtrack departments, which each excel. Its vistas are gorgeous at factors, though its sometimes ponderous insta-kill stealth mechanics can’t fairly match that stage. The sport additionally depends surprisingly closely on its barely pedestrian platforming, with a motion set that favours animation constancy over fluidity to often have you ever lacking jumps that you just actually assume you bought proper.
There are frequent puzzles to offer the actual meat of the gameplay, although, as you direct your little companion to distract foes and offer you openings to maneuver earlier than determining new paths — the basic overlap between stealth and puzzle-solving is clear right here. So, whereas its puzzles are prosaic sufficient and its stealth fairly simplistic, given it solely lasts for a number of hours, neither spoils the occasion.
It is the landscapes, outsized encounters, and a few beautiful background melodies that may stick with you, although. Planet of Lana takes you thru breezy mountain meadows to arid deserts, with dank caves and metallic constructions, too, every with its personal color palette and soundscape. These assist it to really feel like a very substantial journey, for all that its runtime is modest (though there are some decently-buried secrets and techniques to search out for the keener followers).
It won’t find yourself matching the affect of Limbo or the perfectly-judged arc of Inside, however Planet of Lana is a welcome addition to the side-scroller style on PlayStation regardless. It seems wonderful, sounds nice, and tells a pleasant succinct story.