REVIEW: Planet of Lana (2025 Mobile Video Game) - on Android

Review by Jon Donnis

Planet of Lana arrives on mobile as a thoughtful, quietly confident puzzle platformer that wears its influences openly. Developed by Wishfully Studios, this 2025 release brings its cinematic ambitions to Android devices, placing players in control of Lana, a teenage girl navigating a beautifully imagined world under siege by hostile alien machines. It is a gentle game at heart, but one that understands how to layer tension, mystery and emotion without ever raising its voice.

From the outset, the presentation does a huge amount of the heavy lifting. The hand painted visual style is striking, clearly inspired by the softness and warmth of Studio Ghibli films, even when depicting a planet scarred by mechanical invasion. Lush landscapes, subtle animation and careful use of colour create a world that feels alive and worth saving. There is a constant undercurrent of unease, balanced by moments of calm beauty, which keeps the pacing taut without ever feeling rushed.

The story is simple but effective. Lana is searching for her abducted sister, and that clear motivation anchors the adventure nicely. There is no excess exposition, and the narrative unfolds naturally as you move through the world. It works because the game trusts its imagery and atmosphere to do the talking, which suits the genre well.

Gameplay follows a side scrolling puzzle platform structure, heavily influenced by cinematic titles such as Inside. Lana is not a fighter, and neither is her cat like companion Mui. Instead, progress comes through observation, timing and cooperation. Lana can swim and issue commands, while Mui's smaller size and agility allow it to reach places she cannot. Puzzles are built around this partnership, asking you to think carefully about positioning, timing and environmental interaction. Mui's ability to hypnotise certain creatures and, later on, the power to temporarily tame creatures and hack machines, add welcome layers without overcomplicating things.

The puzzles themselves are well executed and nicely paced, even if they rarely feel truly original. They are satisfying to solve, logically structured, and varied enough to avoid monotony. The real hook is how seamlessly they are integrated into the world, rather than feeling like obvious obstacles placed in your path.

Stealth plays a key role, as Lana and Mui cannot directly attack enemies. Avoiding detection and using the environment to bypass threats keeps encounters tense, especially when timing is tight. It reinforces the vulnerability of the characters and fits the tone of the story well.

Where the mobile version stumbles slightly is in its controls. Directing Mui can be fiddly at times, and touch screen input does not always feel as precise as the game demands. This is clearly a title designed with a gamepad in mind. Using a controller dramatically improves the experience, making movement and commands feel far more natural. While it is possible to connect the game to a larger screen and use a Bluetooth controller, that does somewhat undermine the appeal of having the game on a phone in the first place.

Despite these issues, Planet of Lana remains a strong example of the puzzle platformer genre. It may not reinvent the formula, but it executes its ideas with confidence, charm and a clear artistic vision. The sense of mystery carries you forward, and the bond between Lana and Mui gives the journey real emotional weight.

Planet of Lana is a beautiful, absorbing adventure that occasionally shows the limitations of its mobile format. With the right controller, it becomes a genuinely rewarding experience. Even with its lack of originality in places, it stands out thanks to its atmosphere, pacing and visual splendour. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it and would comfortably score Planet of Lana a solid 8 out of 10.

Out Now on Android

play.google.com

REVIEW: Lost Twins 2 (2025 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Lost Twins 2 is a rare kind of puzzle-platformer, one that feels both completely charming and genuinely inventive. At its heart you guide Abi and Ben, two lost twins, across a whimsical polygonal playground where the world itself can be shifted, tiles can be swapped, and entire pathways reshaped at will. It's a clever mechanic that transforms every stage into something both surprising and rewarding. The puzzles themselves are beautifully put together. They're tough enough to make you stop and think, yet logical enough that you never feel stuck for long. Solving them has that wonderful effect of making you feel just a little bit smarter than you are.

Looks wise, the game wears its influences proudly. Clearly inspired by Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, the art style blends soft painterly backdrops with simple, expressive characters and fluid animation. Lighting, composition, and attention to detail give every frame a handcrafted warmth. It's paired with a score that is both soothing and atmospheric, wrapping the puzzles in a layer of calm that makes it easy to lose yourself in the experience.

The gameplay never falls into repetition. The signature sliding puzzle mechanic is joined by pressure switches, lifts, water gates, and breakable domes, with each new level introducing something that keeps the pace fresh. Playing solo is rewarding, as switching between Abi and Ben to achieve different goals feels natural and well designed, but the game shines brightest in local co-op. Working together with a friend to swap tiles, trigger mechanisms, and build paths is where the charm really comes alive. The only drawback is that there's no online option, so you'll need someone on the sofa with you.

What sets Lost Twins 2 apart is its philosophy. There are no enemies, no deaths, no timers, not even much dialogue to push you along. It is purely about discovery, tinkering, and exploration. That makes it as enjoyable for children as it is for adults, and it ensures the experience never feels stressful, only thoughtful and rewarding. The story may be a little light, but the art, the puzzles, and the sheer creativity more than carry it.

It's rare for a game to be this beautiful, this clever, and this accessible all at once. Lost Twins 2 is proof that puzzle games can be both relaxing and exciting without ever leaning on conflict or frustration. A delightful, charming piece of design that works on every level. I give it a strong 9 out of 10.

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/lost-twins-2/9nh600hw7hdg

REVIEW: American Arcadia (2025 Video Game) on Xbox

Game provided by Out of the Blue Games

Review by Jon Donnis

American Arcadia is a stylish, story-driven puzzle-platformer from Out of the Blue and published by Raw Fury, which delivers one of the most original and polished indie experiences of recent years. Set in a retro-futuristic 1970s metropolis, the game follows Trevor Hills, an ordinary man whose life is turned upside down when he discovers that his entire existence has been broadcast to the world as part of a reality TV show. When his popularity ratings drop, he becomes a target for elimination. What follows is a thrilling escape, aided by a backstage technician named Angela Solano who works to guide Trevor out of the illusion and into the real world.

The game presents two distinct gameplay styles. Trevor's story unfolds through side-scrolling platforming sequences, filled with clever puzzles and interactive elements that require timing, precision and observation. Angela's segments take place in first-person and focus on hacking, surveillance and environmental manipulation. The transitions between these modes are seamless, and in several inventive moments, players must control both characters simultaneously. This dual-character structure is executed with confidence and creativity, never feeling gimmicky. Instead, it forms the backbone of the experience, creating tension and variety throughout.

American Arcadia builds its world with flair and precision. Arcadia itself is a vibrant, pastel-soaked city where everything seems perfect on the surface, but sinister truths lurk beneath. The retro-inspired visuals are rich and distinctive, while the environments remain grounded enough to make Trevor's escape feel believable. The storyline draws heavily from the concept explored in The Truman Show, but brings its own flair, layering in social commentary about surveillance, media control and the loss of privacy. The writing is sharp and intelligent, with a pace that keeps the narrative engaging from start to finish.

What truly elevates the game is its voice cast. Yuri Lowenthal brings emotional range and quiet desperation to Trevor, making him a compelling and sympathetic protagonist. Krizia Bajos as Angela delivers a performance full of resolve and subtle humour, creating a strong and believable partnership between the two leads. These performances anchor the story, making even the more surreal elements feel grounded.

While the platforming sections are consistently enjoyable, the first-person segments with Angela can feel less engaging by comparison. They serve the story well and add variety, but the pace sometimes slows, and the mechanics, while competent, lack the same spark. Even so, the experience remains cohesive, with the alternating gameplay styles reinforcing the dual narrative and keeping the player invested.

American Arcadia succeeds on almost every level. It looks fantastic, sounds great and tells a gripping, well-paced story filled with tension, emotion and humour. The puzzles are satisfying, the platforming is smooth, and the alternating character perspectives are used to full advantage. It captures the paranoia of being watched, the absurdity of media spectacle and the human desire for freedom, all within a tightly crafted adventure. It may not reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a shine few games achieve. This is one of those rare indie titles that combines technical quality with artistic ambition, and it delivers something unforgettable.

A clear highlight of the year, American Arcadia is an experience worth seeking out. Whether you are drawn in by its clever gameplay, compelling narrative or eye-catching world, this is a game that earns your time and delivers a near perfect ride from start to finish.

I score American Arcadia a near perfect 9.5 out of 10. Game of the year on consoles so far?