Plants vs. Zombies. A game we have seen for over a year now. Does this version warrent the purchase, or should you pass?
When Plants vs. Zombies was released last year for PC, it looked like a phenomenal game. Though my review will be biased to a degree because I have never played it on PC and only briefly played it on a Ipad, this game adds alot of intresting features. So first of all, if you are new to the Plants vs. Zombies franchise, like I was before playing the xbox version, let my explain how it works.
You start off with a yard. Your objective is to defend the yard from a oncoming force of zombies. To defend your lawn you have to plant... well plants. Plants cost "suns" and some plants can produce "suns" such as sunflowers. "Suns" will also fall from the sky at a very slow pace so its necessary to build a good amount of sunflowers as soon as possible. Once you have a good deal of "suns" you can purchase plants such as "pea shooters", "cherry bombs", or " potato mines". A level gets increasingly difficult as more and more zombies attack. Your main objective is to prevent a zombie from getting inside the house. If one gets in, its all over. At the end of each row of sod (grass) you have a back-up lawn mower. If all else fails, this trusty mechanical friend will zip into action and mow every zombie in that lane. Some levels have pools so you'll need to buy a "pool cleaner" because a lawn mower won't work. Luckly, your neighbour CRAAZZY DAVE will sell you tools and other supplies to keep up the good fight. Their are 5 worlds in the game, each world has 10 levels, 9 being normal levels and 1 being a bonus/mini game. Level 6-1 is the last level in the game giving you a total of 51 levels to play. Each level also unlocks a new plant for you to use. Some levels also offer new types of zombies to face, such as zombies with ladders or exploding "jack-in-the-box" wined up toys. Offering tons of variety.
Now thats just adventure. Once your done adventure, you can play again will all your new unlock plants and more difficult zombies. When you beat the game, you'll unlock the "zen garden". A garden that you can grow plants that give you money for spending at the store. Also, as your progressing through the game, you constantly improve your "home". Your home is a place where, as your progressing through the adventure, your home will get bigger. Also with achievements, you'll see upgrades on your lawn. For example, getting the achievement "Home lawn security", it will add a little defencive fence around your house. With your home, you can also compare it to your friends homes simiply by moving the control stick over. The other modes include puzzle, where you complete puzzling mini-games. Mini-games is a mode to play the mini-games you played at the end of each world. Also we have co-op and vs. Co-op lets you run through the campaign with a buddy that can help you slow down enemies by throwing butter on them (100% serious) and help collect special suns that require both players to grab it at the same time. The last mode is a endless survival mode.
Now that I have gone into FULL detail how the game works, i'll go into the other great aspects of this game. The graphics are outstanding, very crisp and bright colours. The game runs at a really good framerate and doesn't drop once with all the crazy action going on the screen. Lots of vibrant colours and very charismatic art style that will appel to all audiences. The sound design is top notch as well. You hear every pea splattering on zombies as their bones are crippling into dust. The music is very joyful and has a very good beat. It's so good, I have my xbox running right now just in the main menu with with my tv having all the brightness and contrast off. Just so I can list to that intoxicating beat. So im using very little power. Green friendly!
Now if you made it this far, you'll know what a amazing package Plants vs. Zombies is. Tons of great features and modes, artistic visuals, and a crunchy sound design. It's no wonder why this game has done so well on its other platforms. You might not need to get it if you already have it on anyother platform but its still a blast and the achivements are great too.
We've seen lots of tower defence games across many platforms, such as xbox live arcade. When Plants vs. Zombies came out over a year ago, not only did it change the way we play tower defence games, but added a ton of personality and fascination. Now that we have seen it for over a year now, on multiple platforms, does this version warrent the purchase? Yes it most certainly does! It is worth every single one of the 1200 points it costs.
Download it today! 9.5 out of 10! It's a masterpiece