Play Planet of Lana Before It Leaves Xbox Game Pass This May
Xbox Game Pass is getting a fresh May lineup, with day-one indie releases like Mixtape and Subnautica 2 joining the service. But as usual, new games masuk means some games are also heading out — and this time, one of the better under-the-radar indies is on the chopping block.
If you have Game Pass and somehow skipped it, Planet of Lana should be on your weekend list before it leaves the service on May 15.
This is not the kind of game that screams for attention with massive boss fights or 100-hour open-world bloat. Instead, Planet of Lana is a short, beautifully made sci-fi puzzle-platformer about a girl named Lana and a strange cat-like creature called Mui. Their bond is the emotional core of the whole thing, and the game builds both its story and puzzles around the way they rely on each other.
The setup is simple but strong: Lana’s village is attacked, and the people around her are taken by alien machines. From there, Lana and Mui set off across a dangerous world to try and save everyone. Along the way, Lana slowly becomes braver and more capable, while Mui’s true nature becomes more important to the journey.
What makes it hit harder is how little traditional dialogue the game uses. Planet of Lana speaks in a fictional language, so you are not following the story through clear English subtitles or long cutscenes. You read the emotion through voice acting, animation, body movement, and the way Lana and Mui react to each other. It is very much a “feel it first, understand it second” kind of game, and honestly, it works.
Gameplay-wise, expect puzzle-platforming with plenty of stealth. Lana is not some overpowered hero; she has to sneak past threats, solve environmental puzzles, and work with Mui to survive. Sometimes Mui distracts creatures so Lana can move through safely. Sometimes the solution is about timing, positioning, or reading the environment properly. The puzzles are fair, but they still ask you to pay attention — especially when one mistake can get Lana caught by a creature or robot.
For Malaysian and SEA players, the biggest selling point is time. We all know the backlog problem is real, especially if you are juggling Game Pass, Steam sales, gacha dailies, esports streams, and maybe a full-time job or classes. Planet of Lana reportedly takes around five hours to finish, which makes it very doable before May 15. This is exactly the kind of game you can clear over one or two nights instead of letting it rot in the library forever.
Visually, this one still looks fantastic. Its soft, painterly style proves that strong art direction can beat pure graphical muscle. You do not need ultra-realistic textures when the colour, framing, and atmosphere already slap. The soundtrack also does a lot of heavy lifting, matching the quiet, tense, and emotional moments of Lana and Mui’s journey.
There is another reason to catch up now: Planet of Lana 2 is also on Game Pass, and Polygon notes that the sequel brings back what worked while expanding the world, story stakes, and gameplay ideas. So if the first game clicks with you, there is already more waiting.
Bottom line: if you enjoy cinematic indie games, clever puzzles, companion stories, or just want something meaningful that does not eat your whole month, Planet of Lana is an easy recommendation. Don’t wait until the last night and panic-download, bro.
Source: Polygon
