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Plants vs. Zombies

Adding a unique and comic flair to the standard tower defence formula, Plants vs. Zombies is a game that exudes quality and style in spite of a few pacing problems
Plants vs. Zombies Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
monetization, grinding
98% User Score Based on 44,247 reviews
Critic Score 85%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360AndroidWindows PhoneXbox Cloud GamingXboxNintendo DsiiPhoneWindowsPlayStationPlaystation VitaXbox Series X|SPCTabletXbox Game PassCloudMac OSPhoneXbox OneiPadMobile Platform
Plants vs. Zombies Game Cover

About

Plants vs. Zombies is a single player survival real-time strategy game with comedy and kids themes. It was developed by PopCap Games, Inc. and was released on July 27, 2010. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Plants vs. Zombies is a single-player real-time strategy game with an intriguing story and beautiful gameplay, featuring outstanding graphics and stunning music. The objective is to defend your home from invading zombies using a variety of plants with different offensive abilities. Despite some grinding, annoying ads, bugs, and occasional emotional moments, the game's humor and unique concept make it a fun and engaging experience.

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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 44,247 reviews
gameplay688 positive mentions
monetization120 negative mentions

  • The gameplay is addictive and engaging, combining strategic tower defense elements with charming visuals and humor.
  • The game features a delightful atmosphere with colorful graphics, whimsical character designs, and a catchy soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and ads, providing a complete experience without exploitative monetization practices.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and monotonous, especially in later stages, with limited fresh mechanics introduced as players progress.
  • Many users report performance issues, including glitches and crashes, particularly on certain systems, detracting from the overall experience.
  • The story is minimal and lacks depth, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point.
  • gameplay
    1,576 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Plants vs. Zombies* is widely praised for its simple yet addictive mechanics, combining strategic tower defense elements with charming visuals and humor. Players enjoy the gradual introduction of new plants and zombies, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging, while the variety of mini-games and challenges adds depth and replayability. Despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay in later stages, the overall consensus is that the game remains a timeless classic that appeals to both casual and veteran gamers alike.

    • “The quirky zombies and clever plant defenses make every level exciting, while the variety keeps the gameplay fresh.”
    • “Its genius lies in the simplicity of its core mechanics—placing quirky, anthropomorphic plants to fend off waves of increasingly absurd zombies—while offering layers of tactical depth that keep players coming back.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so well crafted and addictive that I could play this game for hours and hours without ever getting bored.”
    • “The gameplay quickly becomes repetitive and monotonous.”
    • “The level design doesn’t introduce many fresh mechanics as you progress, which makes the experience feel stale.”
    • “While it offers a fun mix of strategy and humor, after a while, the gameplay starts to feel repetitive.”
  • music
    1,460 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Plants vs. Zombies" is widely praised for its catchy, memorable tunes that enhance the game's whimsical atmosphere. Composed by Laura Shigihara, the soundtrack features a variety of engaging tracks that adapt to gameplay, making each level feel dynamic and exciting. Many players express nostalgia for the music, particularly the iconic end credits song "Zombies on Your Lawn," which has become a beloved highlight of the game.

    • “The music is super catchy, from the sunny intro tunes to the intense 'final wave' tracks, making every victory feel epic.”
    • “The soundtrack is timeless, it's composed wonderfully by Laura Shigihara in a way to not become repetitive even after that long of a playtime.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, adding to the overall charm of the experience.”
    • “By contrast, Replanted completely lacks this distinction and will simply play the most intense version of the music at all times, which means half the soundtrack is completely absent, and the remaining soundtrack is underwhelming because it doesn't have any specialty like it's supposed to.”
    • “The new remaster didn't even have the same soundtrack system and had to be updated due to fan pressure.”
    • “The soundtrack is repetitive, but at least you will get hours of good gameplay and ah, you can make your own zombie/zombatar!”
  • graphics
    1,038 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Plants vs. Zombies" are characterized by a charming, cartoonish art style that has aged surprisingly well since its release, maintaining a nostalgic appeal for many players. While some reviews note that the visuals can appear dated, especially on modern high-resolution displays, the game's vibrant colors and whimsical designs continue to resonate with audiences, contributing to its enduring popularity. Overall, the graphics are seen as a delightful complement to the engaging gameplay and catchy soundtrack, making it a beloved classic in the tower defense genre.

    • “The colorful graphics and whimsical animations bring the garden to life, making every encounter with the undead both amusing and entertaining.”
    • “The art style is timeless—vibrant, cartoonish, and brimming with charm.”
    • “The graphics are bright, colorful, and cartoonish, which appeals to a wide range of audiences.”
    • “Do not waste your money on the remaster, as they did not hire or ask for help from the original artist, creating bad renders of the original art style.”
    • “The graphics are worse than all other versions, including Xbox 360.”
    • “The graphics are a bit crunchy in windowed mode, and some minigames feel a bit too luck-based.”
  • humor
    1,012 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Plants vs. Zombies" is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring whimsical character designs, pun-filled dialogue, and a lighthearted tone that appeals to players of all ages. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend strategy with comedic elements, making the experience both entertaining and engaging. The quirky animations and humorous sound effects contribute to its enduring appeal, ensuring that the humor remains fresh and enjoyable even years after its release.

    • “The humor is top-notch—silly zombies with bucket heads, dancing flag-wavers, solar-powered chaos—it’s just charming from start to finish.”
    • “Plants vs. Zombies is a truly divine game because it masterfully blends strategy, humor, and charm into an experience that’s both accessible and deeply engaging.”
    • “The quirky dialogue, eccentric characters, and whimsical tone create an atmosphere that is both hilarious and heartwarming.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
    • “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
    • “The attempts at comedy just made me roll my eyes.”
  • story
    747 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Plants vs. Zombies" is generally described as simple and lighthearted, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate the humor and charm of the narrative, many note that it lacks depth and complexity, with the main plot revolving around defending one's home from zombies using various plants. Despite its minimalistic approach, the game offers a variety of engaging mini-games and challenges that enhance replayability and keep players entertained beyond the main story.

    • “This game is great, the graphics and story are charming, the music is amazing, and the gameplay is pretty fun.”
    • “The story mode is also replayable at any time after you beat it initially, infinite replayability.”
    • “The story is fun to play through and making the ideal setup is both satisfying and rewarding.”
    • “The story is... there's not really a story, just zombies invading your house, why?”
    • “There's no storyline to keep track of, it's easy to drop in and out.”
    • “The story mode is simple and sweet, with the game lasting just long enough to not overstay its welcome.”
  • replayability
    512 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with players enjoying a variety of modes, including mini-games, puzzles, and survival challenges that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to offer new strategies and experiences with each playthrough, making it a timeless classic that players return to repeatedly. However, some users note that replayability may diminish after unlocking all content, suggesting that while the game is initially captivating, it can become less engaging over time.

    • “It's one of the best tower defense games ever made, extremely creative, massively replayable, and just about as perfect of a game as you can get.”
    • “The campaign is incredibly satisfying to progress through, and the bonus game modes add a wealth of replay value.”
    • “This game is a true classic that everyone should try: it's charming and easy to pick up and play yet challenging and endlessly replayable.”
    • “Limited replayability once you’ve unlocked all plants and modes.”
    • “Fun in the moment, but once you've done everything there isn't a ton of replay value.”
    • “The major downside to it, however, is that once you beat adventure mode, there's not too much replayability there.”
  • monetization
    306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of "Plants vs. Zombies" is highly praised, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and ads in the original game. Many reviews highlight the stark contrast between this version and the mobile adaptations, which are criticized for being riddled with intrusive ads and paywalls. Overall, the game is celebrated as a classic that offers a complete experience without the exploitative monetization practices seen in its sequels and mobile versions.

    • “The best feature of the game is there are no advertisements.”
    • “This is the best version of Plants vs. Zombies, created before whoever bought the series and filled it up with microtransactions (this version does not have real money microtransactions of any kind).”
    • “No microtransactions, no ads, just everything included in one buy.”
    • “The original game, no caveats, no subscriptions, no in-game monetization.”
    • “Game is good, but 'Replanted' is just a fricken cash grab.”
    • “The mobile version is ridden with ads and microtransactions, making it unplayable.”
  • grinding
    234 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While many find the grinding for achievements and resources to be tedious and time-consuming, especially for completionists, others enjoy the process as part of the game's charm and replayability. Overall, players suggest that while grinding can become overwhelming, it is often balanced by the game's engaging mechanics and nostalgic appeal.

    • “Quite a nice game, not that grindy, peak casual game.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Grindy (60 - 100 hours).”
    • “The grind for money is tedious and plant slots have no hot keys.”
    • “Don't recommend going for full completion; tedious grinding for money and a couple of the achievements are just an awful experience to go for.”
    • “The only complaint I have with this game is how much grinding is required to 100% it.”
  • optimization
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and a lack of support for modern resolutions and widescreen displays. While some players note that it runs smoothly on lower-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, particularly in comparison to other versions. Users express disappointment over the lack of updates to improve performance and compatibility with newer hardware.

    • “You won't have performance problems in this game, and honestly you generally shouldn't have performance problems in any 2D game that lacks intense lighting.”
    • “The game's graphics are well optimized and run smoothly on most systems, making it accessible to a wide range of players.”
    • “The simple graphical nature and absolutely minimal requirements mean that practically any PC could run this even when it came out ten years ago, so performance concerns are going to be a complete non-issue for you.”
    • “The game is great but I hate how EA and PopCap refuse to fix any of the issues this game has due to it never being optimized for newer systems. Edit: I know that they are making a remaster, but that does not fix the problems with this version.”
    • “Sadly, the Steam version (or any other PC version distributed through any service) is the worst of all: it's not optimized, lacks widescreen support, runs at the low resolution of 800x600 and it can't be changed, Steam overlay not working, etc.”
    • “I am sad to report that this most certainly is not the definitive version; the game is incredibly poorly optimized.”
  • emotional
    53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with many players expressing deep nostalgia and heartfelt connections to its whimsical characters and charming narrative. Reviews highlight moments of joy, fear, and even tears, showcasing how the game evokes a wide range of emotions, from childhood memories to profound personal reflections. Overall, it is celebrated for its ability to create a wholesome and engaging experience that resonates emotionally with players.

    • “I cried tears of joy playing this game. This was a beautiful game of pure emotions I have not felt since playing Garden Warfare. This game really tugged at my heartstrings, especially when the sunflower was happily dancing and the peashooter was shooting peas with charm and glee in their eyes.”
    • “I finished playing this game (or as finished as I could get after getting 6 of the many available endings to the game) and I had to admit I never had such a strong emotional response to a game in my life.”
    • “Thanks for taking your time to read this tiny heartfelt message for a game that was almost forgotten in the past but will forever hold a place in my heart.”
  • stability
    49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the stability of the game is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate its charm and find it runs well years after release, there are frequent reports of glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly on certain systems. Some users note that the game can freeze or reset progress, especially in specific scenarios, but others highlight that it remains enjoyable despite these bugs. In contrast to recent remasters, many prefer this version for its nostalgic value and relative stability, despite acknowledging its imperfections.

    • “Still awesome and runs great many years later.”
    • “Nostalgia at its finest, and runs great with this release.”
    • “The game is super polished and bug free, with a solid campaign and plenty of minigames.”
    • “The mobile port has never been particularly great but as of late it's gotten so buggy I can't even go beyond the start menu, plus my progress resets randomly and I start back at the tutorial.”
    • “Expect to troubleshoot crashes or glitches on some systems, which detracts from the otherwise seamless experience.”
    • “The game not only requires Origin to run (despite its diminutive 46 MB installation size) but it also produces horrible framerate, catastrophic flickering glitches, and constant crashing, unless you roll up your sleeves and utilize one of many fixes online.”
  • atmosphere
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by its colorful, whimsical art style and a catchy, engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted yet intense vibe created by the quirky characters and humorous design, making it a fun and inviting environment despite its zombie theme. This unique blend of visuals, sound, and gameplay fosters a charming and memorable atmosphere that resonates with both new and returning players.

    • “The game's charming graphics and catchy soundtrack create a fun and inviting atmosphere.”
    • “The quirky dialogue, eccentric characters, and whimsical tone create an atmosphere that is both hilarious and heartwarming.”
    • “The colorful, cartoonish graphics are inviting and lighthearted, creating a fun atmosphere despite the zombie theme.”
    • “However, it's the art and the atmosphere and the general joy of experiencing PVZ and its 'wacky world' that keeps it fond in the minds of so many. I loved PVZ as a kid, and this is still an overall fun experience if you've never played it before.”
    • “As for the sound effects, they are simple, sometimes even generic, but they fit well with the game's humorous atmosphere.”
    • “Its visuals, if cheap, make for this calming and easy-to-understand place with its somewhat addicting rated E violence, and let's not forget what comes with rated E atmosphere: self-aware puns.”
  • character development
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its whimsical and iconic character designs, which are both charming and memorable, appealing to players of all ages. The vibrant art style and humorous animations create a cohesive and engaging universe, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, the characters' unique traits and designs contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making the game enjoyable and visually striking.

    • “The character designs are iconic and add a layer of charm that appeals to all ages.”
    • “The amusing character design and intricately crafted locations make the game appealing to players of all ages.”
    • “The character designs are whimsical and memorable, from the iconic peashooter to the hilarious zombies dressed in various costumes.”
    • “The character design, in both plants and zombies, hearkens back to a simpler period of design, with everyone containing just as much detail as is necessary to show what they are and what they do.”
    • “The art is cartoon-like, the character designs pop out of the screen like eye-candy with consistent bright, child-like, bold color choices.”
    • “The playful character design of both plants and zombies creates a sense of unity within the game's universe, despite the stark contrast between the two factions.”
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29h Median play time
89h Average play time
8h Main story
43h Completionist
8-84h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 94 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Plants vs. Zombies is a survival real-time strategy game with comedy and kids themes.

Plants vs. Zombies is available on iPhone, Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PC and others.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 43 hours to finish. On average players spend around 89 hours playing Plants vs. Zombies.

Plants vs. Zombies was released on July 27, 2010.

Plants vs. Zombies was developed by PopCap Games, Inc..

Plants vs. Zombies has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

Plants vs. Zombies is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Insaniquarium Deluxe, Kingdom Rush, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Zuma Deluxe, Peggle Deluxe and others.