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Plants vs. Zombies
Publisher: PopCap Games
Developer: PopCap Games
Genre: Tower Defense
Release Date: September 28, 2010
Platforms: Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PC, iPhone, iPad, Macintosh
ESRB: E10+ - Everyone 10+
Reviewer: Eric
When did the sudden urge to release a new tower defense game every other
happen? So many of these games are the same damn thing but there are a select
few that standout as superior amongst all the other games. Plants vs. Zombies
was one of those tower defense games that came out, kicked some ass, and finally
found its way onto the Xbox Live Marketplace.
PopCap, the developers behind such classics as Bookworm, Peggle, and Zuma, are
responsible for Plants vs. Zombies. And with a track record like that the
results for this game are high. Plants vs. Zombies will not only please the most
hardcore games it will also makes those few minute gamers happy they spent the
money on this title.
Zombies are making their way onto your lawn, your swimming pool, and roof. All
you are equipped with are some plants that shoot seeds, throw butter, or control
the undead. By planting sunflowers and capturing sunrays you can plant various
plants to take on the hordes of undead that are trying to get into your house
because they want your brains.
What makes Plants vs. Zombies standout a little is how its playing area is laid
out. There are six rows zombies can making their attack on, no random path or a
path you have to make. Plants vs. Zombies follows a simple formula that tests
your skills more than you could imagine. The zombies will shuffle faster at
times, but of course there are 26 different kinds of zombies so you better be
prepared for a fight at both ends.
There are a lot of different levels in this game. You can play in the night, by
a swimming pool, the roof, and in the middle of day. The zombies will come no
matter what and it is up to you to challenge them with your 48 different kinds
of plants. Sometimes the environment will test you more than you think. The
swimming pool stages have you placing lily pads first to build plants and the
night time stages have tombstones covering the path.
Along with these stages there are some other unique levels. You can go bowling
or play Whack-a-Zombie. There are some puzzles too, with one of my favorite
being a reincarnation of Bejewled Blitz. Really a lot of fun and once you beat
the Adventure mode you can unlock a lot more puzzle-like stages to play.
Plants vs. Zombies played great on the PC and it wasn’t half bad on the
iPod/iPhone. With the Xbox 360 controller the game is great. It feels so natural
to move the cursor around to plant your zombies and gather your goods. It’s as
easy as you’d expect and the button configurations are just as smooth too.
This version of Plants vs. Zombies has two new modes, competitive and co-op
multiplayer. The battle mode has one player taking control of the zombies and
the other trying to make sure the zombies don’t get inside. It is a lot of fun
and easy to lose the track of time when you have a buddy playing. I just only
wish you could have played these modes online, these are only available locally.
There are some leaderboards but I don’t see the point. Friends can see your
house, which changes as you earn achievements and how you play the game. Don’t
see a point to this really since most houses could look the same honestly. Neat
idea, but the same old boring leaderboards would have just done fine with Plants
vs. Zombies.
Final Verdict
Plants vs. Zombies is an addictive tower defense game that is more than welcomed
onto Xbox Live. I have already enjoyed the game two other times but I have found
more than enough reasons to play this game again. The addition to the local
competitive modes is great and should add some enjoyment to those late nights
with your friends. Even if you’ve played this game before don’t feel shy to buy
it again.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
+ Easy to pick up and play for minutes or hours.
- Some stages are unbalanced if you try a different strategy
than your basic one.
Story: 9 out of 10
+ Simple and easy to follow, don’t let the zombies in your
house.
- It is a simple story but other XBL games have had better
stories (just saying).
Graphics: 9 out of 10
+ The new graphic upgrade looks great on the Xbox 360.
- I really hate the addition to the shrubs blocking your
view.
Audio: 9 out of 10
+ The simple moans from the zombies add a lot to the game.
- Some of the music updates are not as good as the original.
Replay Value: 9 out of 10
+ Two new modes!?!? Count me in!!!
- Just wish those two new modes were online play too.
Overall
9 out of 10
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