Colorful, lane-based tower defense with deep strategy, varied modes, and endlessly replayable plant-zombie battles
Colorful, lane-based tower defense with deep strategy, varied modes, and endlessly replayable plant-zombie battles
Vote (3,784 votes)
Program license Full
Developer PopCap Games, Inc.
Version 3.2.1
Works under Windows
Vote
(3,784 votes)
Developer
PopCap Games, Inc.
Works under
Windows
Program license
Full
Version
3.2.1
Pros
- Surprisingly deep tower defense gameplay
- Tons of different modes to choose from
- Bright and funny artistic style
Cons
- Core features are no longer innovative
Plants Vs. Zombies was one of the earliest mobile games to become an international sensation, but its addictive evolution of tower defense fundamentals and lack of a pay to win model gives it a level of timelessness that few other mobile games of the era can offer. Two big changes fundamentally change the rhythm you'd expect in a tower defense game. The first is the grid based structure that limits the amount of plants you can expose while also creating individual lanes that you have to defend. The other is the fact that you need to plant specific generators to gather new energy. The result is a more frenetic experience where resource management takes center stage and players are frequently forced to take a hands on approach and actively replace plants in the heat of battle.
And the amount of variety with the characters here is truly massive. There are dozens of plants to choose from, and their coverage of the grid lends them a greater amount of synergy between characters. Filling the board with the highest damage dealing plants simply isn't enough. Instead, you'll need to make smart use of healers, buffers, debuffers, and damage dealers to properly take on the hordes of zombies that come at you.
That's because the zombie characters are equally as diverse as the plants at your disposal. You'll find pole vaulters that can breach right past your defenses, kamikazes that need to be picked off quick or necessitate a whole lot of replanting, and buffers that strengthen the melee and long distance units in the zombie horde. That's just scratching the surface of enemies you'll be fighting, and it doesn't even factor in the environmental complications.
Yes, the levels themselves come with some unique complications that set them apart. Each has a major theme, and while it lends a sense of variety to the aesthetics, it also necessitates a different approach to how you play. From pool levels that minimize the amount of space available to you and introduce unit types to nighttime levels that drastically reduce the amount of resources available to you, Plants vs. Zombies will constantly keep you on your toes and necessitate the use of some varied strategies.
Just because this was originally a mobile game doesn't mean that it's going to feel lightweight if you choose to play it on Windows. The core gameplay from the mobile version has a lot to work with to start with. Most players will focus their attention on Adventure Mode - an approach to tower defense that has you gather money over time that you can then spend on new soldiers and boosts. Fortunately, you can acquire everything you need without having to spend a single penny of real money. But the Windows port also comes with a whole host of new modes that will keep you coming back on a regular basis. A puzzle mode strips out the resource management level and instead gives you a set amount of sunlight and tasks you with finding a way to overcome a very specific wave of enemies. There are multiple unique choices here that mix up the formula and even give you the opportunity to trade out your plant soldiers for zombie units. Then there's a survival mode which tasks you with overcoming waves of increasingly stronger enemies to see exactly how long you can survive. It amps up the arcade gameplay in the same way that puzzle mode amps up the strategy. In addition, there are a ton of smaller modes that give more legs to the game. These include a whole slew of mini-games and a Zen Garden that provides a small level of idle resource management and better strengthens out your army of plants.
Plants vs. Zombies may be old, but it's such a classic that it will continue to be a lot of fun into perpetuity. While other games have taken the innovations of this game and run with it, Popcap's game is still worth the time of any puzzle and tower defense fans.
Pros
- Surprisingly deep tower defense gameplay
- Tons of different modes to choose from
- Bright and funny artistic style
Cons
- Core features are no longer innovative
Pros
- Fun challenges
- Multiple modes of play
Cons
- Movements are odd
- Can't really change the sounds
A war has started between plants and zombies where you try to fend off the undead creatures using the plants growing in your garden.
There is a swarm of zombies trying to take over your town. Fortunately, you have something in your yard that can be used to get rid of them. There are several types of zombies that try to make their way inside your home, but if you use the plants in your garden, then you can keep them away. You have a few weapons that can be used with the plants, which you'll discover that you need because there is an assortment of zombies instead of just the typical undead creature. They include ball players, dancers, and zombies that sometimes care more about what they look like than killing.
After a few levels, you can play mini-games where you can earn items to help in your battle. An example is a bowling game where the zombies are the pins. Once you have earned enough points, you can begin getting new types of plants that are taller and stronger. When you play Survival mode, you are challenged to see how long you can last by fending off zombies as they continue to come at you. Zen Garden is a mode where you can relax a bit more and provide care for your plants with only a few zombies trying to attack. Each type of plant does something different to the zombies, such as nuts that slow them down and shooting flowers that knock the zombies out. The sounds associated with the game are of a decent quality. However, the movements tend to lag and can be a bit robotic at times, making it hard to get into a good position to defend your home.
Pros
- Fun challenges
- Multiple modes of play
Cons
- Movements are odd
- Can't really change the sounds
Pros
- Lots of different types of plants and zombies
- Colourful and fun graphics
- Very Addictive game play
- Lots of content
- Five different game modes
- 50 levels
Cons
- Each level starts in almost exactly the same way
- It is much too each at the start of the game
- Difficulty increases too slowly
So Scary You’ll Soil Your Plants
Plants vs. Zombies is a classic tower defence game with a twist. A group of zombies are invading your home and the only way to stop them is your trusty plants. These alien plants come complete with plenty of tricks up their sleeves, or at least under their leaves. Cherry bombs and pea shooters are just two of the imaginative types of weapons that you have at your disposal. Although the zombies move fairly slowly in the tradition of classic zombies everywhere, dozens of zombies often advance at the same time, which force you to think fast and really keeps you on your toes.
Once you are familiar with what each of the plants in your arsenal does, you can start planting their seeds in your garden. These plants quickly grow into plants that will use their attack features to prevent the zombies from attacking you and eating your brain. Hot tamales are great because they burn everything in their path, while pea shooters spit green balls directly at the zombies and take them down.
Players are also presented with a number of other obstacles to make the game more difficult such as creeping fog, the setting sun and a swimming pool. There are five different game modes to choose from; adventure, survival, Zen Garden, Puzzle and Mini-Game. This means that players can keep the gaming experience fresh simply by choosing a different mode.
This game features bright and simple graphics that may make it appear to be a little bit childish at first glance. The first wave is very easy to complete, which also helps to create the feeling that this game might not be intended for older players. However, these gimmicks are simply designed to get you hooked on the game and they work very well. Before you know it you fall under the spell of the charming plants and want to try your hardest to defeat the zombies.
During the game, you will face off against dozens of different types of zombies, each of which has its own quirks and techniques. The back-from-the-dead miners are particularly challenging, while the bobsled team are rather cute. Other types of invading zombies include the zombie businessmen and zombie football players, while there are also more than fifty different plants to get to know and use as you see fit.
Plants vs. Zombies is the first tower defence game created by PopCap, who are famous for hits such as Peggle. The game features all of the basic mechanics that make this genre so popular with gamers as well as plenty of charm and personality.
Like most tower defence games, Plants Vs. Zombies is rather limited. Once you get used to the format of the game and the storyline, there are not really many options available. While it is true that levels get more difficult as the game progresses, it is all very much a variation on a theme. Zombies advance in a series of six rows and it is fairly easy to predict where they will approach and plan accordingly.
Despite this, there is no denying that Plants vs. Zombies is very addictive and you are likely to find that you keep on playing long after you intended to quit. The bright graphics and choice of background music make getting into this game very easy, while there are plenty of features that you will want to try out.
Pros
- Lots of different types of plants and zombies
- Colourful and fun graphics
- Very Addictive game play
- Lots of content
- Five different game modes
- 50 levels
Cons
- Each level starts in almost exactly the same way
- It is much too each at the start of the game
- Difficulty increases too slowly
Pros
- Fun game to play
- Several levels
- Easy to upgrade
Cons
- Graphics could use work
- Can be slow on older systems
- First few levels can be boring
Fight against zombie attacks using some of your garden plants.
Plants vs. Zombies is a fun game that can pass the time. While you're planting a garden, a group of zombies tries to invade. Instead of the typical weapons, such as a gun or a knife, you have to fend off the walking dead with the items that are growing in your garden. Use a carrot to stab a zombie in the eye or throw a head of lettuce at the head of a zombie.
When the zombies come onto your property, you'll see that they are relentless when trying to get inside your home. They want to make a feast of your brains and will stop at nothing to make sure they are fed. There are several types of zombies that you'll have to face, such as those that play sports and those who dance.
Several levels are included in Plants vs. Zombies. Once you've played a few levels of the game, you'll be treated to a mini adventure. One of the mini-games is bowling, but instead of normal pins, you're knocking down zombies. Points are earned while playing these games. The points can be used in the store to buy new equipment and to upgrade your arsenal, giving you a better chance at defeating the zombies. Play in the adventure mode for unlimited fun, or choose the survival mode if you want to use a bit more strategy in the game. There is a zen garden mode where you don't have to worry as much with the zombies, concentrating more on growing your garden and gathering your supplies.
Pros
- Fun game to play
- Several levels
- Easy to upgrade
Cons
- Graphics could use work
- Can be slow on older systems
- First few levels can be boring