Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Events » PAX WEST 2022: ‘Planet of Lana’ is a Showstopper

PAX WEST 2022: ‘Planet of Lana’ is a Showstopper

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez09/08/20223 Mins ReadUpdated:05/27/2023
Planet of Lana - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Planet of Lana - But Why Tho

Marketed as a Studio Ghibli-made Limbo, Planet of Lana lives up to that hype in our hands-on demo. A beautiful cinematic side-scrolling platformer developed by Wishfully Studios and published by Thunderful, Planet of Lana takes place in a gorgeous alien world. My favorite game from PAX West 2022, Planet of Lana, tells the story of Lana and her loyal animal companion Mui as they embark on a rescue mission to save her sister. This touching tale is experienced through the lens of a cinematic side-scrolling gameplay format as players explore a colorful world full of stunning environments, strange creatures, and dangerous machines.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Per the developer, Planet of Lana is an adventure filled with daring platforming, engaging puzzles, tense stealth sequences, and a companion mechanic that connects Lana and Mui, allowing for unique gameplay and story moments using their abilities in tandem. The PAX West 2022 demo showcased the dynamic platforming and environmental interaction available in the game. In the demo, players got the chance to perform standard platforming traversal techniques like jumps, grabs, and the like while also getting to explore the world with Mui.

It’s the companionship between Lana and Mui that makes both the game’s story and its gameplay special. For the former, the two characters talk to each other in their own language. While it is indistinguishable for players to translate, the game’s music and animation are extremely emotive, telling you what you need to know through feeling first. For the latter, the platforming mechanics require that you work with Mui, directing them to stand on action areas to trigger new platforms to forms, go into small areas through things like holes that Lana can’t fit in, and cut ropes to change the environment and open up or connect areas.

Instead of just sending Mui off, only to be returned to you immediately, the player also has to look at the platforms as a puzzle that takes Mui’s path back into consideration as well. This adds an element of depth and difficulty that works extremely well, even just in the brief section of the game I played.

Finally, Planet of Lana’s beauty comes from the gorgeous and vibrant nature that served as the background of the demo I played. Additionally, the incorporation of alien life and even mechanical elements all work to elevate the already lush environment even more. A truly gorgeous sidescroller, Planet of Lana hands-on manages to be as fun and intriguing to play as it is to look at.

Planet of Lana is scheduled for release in the Spring of 2023 on Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S.

Planet of Lana – Official Trailer | The Game Awards 2021

Wishlist on Steam: https://steam.pm/app/1608230 Developed by Wishfully Studios and with a soundtrack by award-winning composer Takeshi Furukawa, Planet of Lana is a stunning cinematic puzzle adventure coming to PC and Xbox in 2022.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Pinocchio’ An Entertaining Light Adventure for Parents and Kids Alike
Next Article PAX WEST 2022: ‘Melatonin’ is Anything But Sleepy
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

08/31/2025
Love and Deepspace Characters

‘Love and Deepspace’ Is More Than Just Another Otome Game

08/30/2025
SXSW 2025

SXSW 2025 Event Round-Up

03/13/2025
Fantastic Games

Fantastic Games Puts The Spotlight On Indie Horror

10/05/2024
SXSW 2024 Events But Why Tho 5

SXSW 2024 Event Round-Up

03/18/2024
Fantastic Fest 2023 - But Why Tho

FANTASTIC FEST: Fantastic Fest Goes Old School

09/23/2023

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here