Plants vs. Zombies

- Reviewed on PC -

Plants vs. Zombies released on May 5th, 2009.

Developed by PopCap Games and published by PopCap Games and Electronic Arts (EA), Plants vs. Zombies is an extremely popular Tower Defense game that revolutionized the TD Game Genre for some players around the world (including myself). 

With such simplicity in its controls and gameplay, Plants vs. Zombies can be easily picked up and mastered by players of all ages. 

On top of that, with the mass variety of platforms Plants vs. Zombies has continuously been adapted for, Plants vs. Zombies is one of the most wholesome and enjoyable TD (tower defense) games to date! 

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

With an average completion time of eight hours, Plants vs. Zombies is exactly what the name entails. 

You play as the Plants, going up against the mindless (yet sometimes smart) Zombies, defending your property from them taking over. 

There are approximately 50 levels in Plants vs. Zombies, with each set of ten levels taking place somewhere on your property. 

The five different level types include...

    - Day
    - Night
    - Pool
    - Fog
    - Roof

You'll have to complete each level chronologically, and after ten levels per stage, you move on to the next. 

For example, you'll start with the Day stage, and after completing ten levels on the same area, you move on to the Night stage (and its ten levels). 

The best aspect of Plants vs. Zombies (in my opinion) is the art style / design.

Just like the controls and gameplay itself, the art style is extremely simple and easy to admire as you progress. 
 
With the Plants and Zombies both having different variations of themselves, PopCap Games cleverly added the opposite version of the opposing team for you to clear out these variated enemies easily. 

For example, you'll eventually (SPOILER) come across Pole Vaulting Zombies. These Zombies have a Plant based weakness, which is the taller Walnut Plant. 

Using that Zombies variated weakness, allows you to strategize more and try out different Plants across the entire Adventure Mode. You most likely won't be using the same Plant team the entire time, which is a great aspect to keep players invested. 

Unfortunately, however, one major take away from Plants vs. Zombies is the repetitive nature of the gameplay. 

Some may argue that all Tower Defense games are very repetitive, and even though Plants vs. Zombies is a part of that stigma; Plants vs. Zombies also has different game modes to keep players interested. 

These other game modes are split into Minigames, Puzzles, and Survival Mode. 

All three different game modes are extremely enjoyable, and all offer a unique and different take, on the base gameplay mechanic(s).  

One key character you'll meet early in the Adventure Mode, is Crazy Dave. 

Now a staple in the Plants vs. Zombies franchise, Crazy Dave, in this installment, owns a shop called Crazy Dave's Twiddydinkies. 

All the money you save can be used to buy a wide variety of items. 

These items include Plant upgrades, more slots, game packs, and more!

To actually earn money in Plants vs. Zombies, you can acquire some by completing levels with your lawn mowers still intact. 

With more lawn mowers still active at the end, the more gold coins you'll earn. This is essentially an award for keeping the Zombies at bay.

You can also complete the other game modes to earn a good amount of money as well. 

If you're not down for playing more of the actual game, then you can spend time in your Zen Garden too, to earn more currency. 

This allows you to buy seeds and grow different flowers / plants and gain a decent amount of money over time. 

You'll need to make sure you take care of your plants by watering them, fertilizing them, spraying them, etc.!

Now, with the mass number of Plants and Zombies you'll encounter, all with their own weaknesses and strengths, you'll want to eventually come back and re-educate yourself on their abilities / stats. 

That's why in Plants vs. Zombies, there is a great feature called the Almanac.

The Plants vs. Zombies Almanac is your firsthand database for the Plants vs. Zombies' variations and all their needed information. 

Plants vs. Zombies is such a great Tower Defense game, and it is a game that will always be looked back on as a pioneer in the genre. 

With other spin off games and levels to conquer, the Plants vs. Zombies franchise is still alive, and the Zombies haven't given up yet! 

Pros: 

    - Great Art Style / Design
    - Outstanding Music
    - Good Sound Design
    - Simplicity Throughout
    - Variation of Plants and Zombies
    - Unique Level Design
    - Fun Side Modes (Minigames, Puzzles, and Survival)

Cons:

    - Repetitive Gameplay

My Rating for Plants vs. Zombies (on PC):

5 / 5


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Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.



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