The Studio Ghibli-inspired 2D puzzle adventure game Planet of Lana has punched its ticket to releasing later this month. Planet of Lana was originally revealed at Summer Game Fest in 2021 as a day one Xbox Game Pass title with a 2022 release window but has since been pushed to 2023. Now it's finally ready to make its Game Pass debut.Planet of Lana is the first title coming from Swedish developer Wishfully Studios which was founded in 2018. With inspirations like Playdead's Limbo and Inside as well as Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, the game sees a young girl and her loyal cat fight to ward off an alien faction invading their home planet. Planet of Lana joins other indie games like Cococucumber's new title Ravenlok, Weird West: Definitive Edition, and Shadowrun Trilogy to make up a solid May Game Pass lineup so far.Planet of Lana took to Twitter to reveal its day one Game Pass release date of May 23. Accompanying the date was a new minute-long trailer that showed some of the other characters the protagonist will come in contact with along their journey.
This new trailer highlights Planet of Lana's serene music and also showcases some of the gorgeous biomes players will get to explore such as lush forests, rocky caverns, and sandy deserts. The video didn't show of much more of the puzzles like previous looks at the game have. Release date reveal trailers for tranquil puzzle-based indie games such as this usually tend to be simpler and lighter on showing a lot of the title's gameplay action, especially when it's already been showcased in the past. Despite a slightly lighter tone and brighter look, Planet of Lana's Limbo and Inside influences are apparent in the designs of the alien faction and how the protagonist moves on screen. This new trailer was relaxed and calm enough to highlight that as well as its beautiful Ghibli-inspired art style.
As a game published by Thunderful, a newer indie publisher behind titles like Cursed to Golf, Steamworld Quest, and former day one Game Pass game The Gunk, Planet of Lana is looking to spruce up an already bountiful May Game Pass lineup. With Xbox's flagship first-party title Redfall from Arkane coming in a bit hot and garnering very mixed reception, Planet of Lana might give subscribers who are let down by the vampire-slaying looter shooter something else to look forward to on the service later in the month.
Planet of Lana is coming to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on May 23.