The PlayStation 5 has just received a gift that is as surprising as it is welcome. While the year 2026 is off to a strong start with the releases of Reanimal, Resident Evil Requiem and soon GTA VI, a more discreet title is attracting attention today: Planet of Lana II. Developed by the Wishfully studio and published by Thunderful Publishing, the game is coming to PS5 with a free playable demo, without requiring a PlayStation Plus subscription.
This rare initiative allows all PS5 and PS4 players – subscribers or not – to preview one of the most anticipated adventure games of the spring, a direct sequel to the much-loved Planet of Lana released in 2023.
Planet of Lana II: a poetic and committed sequel
The first opus won over players with its sensitive universe and its aesthetic inspired by the works of Studio Ghibli. In this second part, entitled Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf, we find Lana and her faithful feline companion Mui, in an even more ambitious adventure.
The official synopsis sets the tone: “As greed and a lust for power divide the tribes of their home planet, Lana and her little companion, Mui, must unite against the forces reshaping their world – fighting not only for their survival, but also for the soul of their home.”
Where and how to play the free demo?
The demo is now downloadable on PS5 and PS4, via the PlayStation Store. It is also available on PC and Xbox, proof that the studio is targeting a wide audience. Switch players are not forgotten: a demo version for Nintendo consoles is also in preparation, as the publisher confirmed on Twitter.
Access to this trial version is completely free, and does not require any PlayStation Plus subscription. A rarity in the Sony universe, often criticized for locking its bonuses behind a paywall.
A great showcase for a promising independent game
While the AAA behemoths come one after the other this year, Planet of Lana II stands out as a calmer, but just as attractive, alternative. The free aspect of this demo allows the title to become known to a wide audience, including those who were not familiar with the first part. Between its careful artistic direction, its environmental message and its intuitive mechanics, Planet of Lana II could well be one of the great indie surprises of 2026.