Planet of Lana Co-Director Says Creating the Game’s Language Was the Most Fun He’s Ever Had

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf commences with a retrospective narrated by its teenage protagonist, bridging the gap between the 2023 original and this latest chapter. This sequence serves as the sole instance of English dialogue in the entire experience. Beyond this prologue, Wishfully Studios leans into the franchise’s sense of wonder by utilizing a unique, constructed dialect—what co-director Klas Martin Eriksson characterizes as a “gibberish language.”

“The language has expanded in tandem with the scope of the IP,” Eriksson shared during a video conversation. “Evolving this lexicon was a fascinating endeavor—navigating between spreadsheets and scripts to refine sounds that felt authentic. It was perhaps the most rewarding part of the creative process.”

Lana’s vocalizations originated from the four fundamental commands used to guide her feline-inspired companion, Mui. In the sequel, this communication system has grown more sophisticated to accommodate a deeper narrative. While a linguistic primer will be featured in the upcoming deluxe edition, it isn’t a prerequisite for comprehension. Despite the characters lacking traditional facial features, their intentions are vividly conveyed through tonal shifts and expressive body language.

“There is the classic adage, ‘Show, don’t tell,’” Eriksson remarked. “By stripping away the ability to rely on literal explanation, you are forced to manifest the story through action. From a directorial standpoint, it reveals the sheer breadth of storytelling tools we have, from fluid animation to the atmospheric score.”

In the debut title, players uncovered the history of the planet Novo and the friction between its biological and mechanical inhabitants through the evocative compositions of Takeshi Furukawa. This auditory storytelling remains a cornerstone of the sequel.

“Music serves as a universal medium,” Eriksson noted. “A dissonant note is understood by everyone. Our ‘Progeny theme,’ for example, consists of five notes tied to a specific emotion. By distorting or corrupting those notes, we can signal to the player that the world’s harmony has been disrupted.”

While crafting a narrative without traditional dialogue presents significant hurdles, Eriksson argues that it fosters a more immersive connection with the audience. He views it as an antidote to the modern “second-screen” viewing habits prevalent in the streaming era.

“Modern entertainment often over-relies on exposition because creators know viewers are often distracted by their phones,” he explained. “Catering to that distraction feels like a missed opportunity. We believe in setting a stage where the story demands your presence. If you pay attention, the emotional payoff is far more profound.”

Planet of Lana 2: Children of the Leaf is scheduled for release on March 5 across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.

Source: Polygon