Plants vs. Zombies

There is something about Popcap that seems to make most of the games they release golden; it’s a mix of excellent presentation, ease of play, mixing genres and some addictive je ne sais quoi. “Plants vs. Zombies” is the latest title released and seems to be making somewhat of a splash on-line. At its heart this game is a simplified Tower Defense game, in which the player plants a variety of flora to protect the player’s house from a hoard of invading zombies. As a true Tower Defense game it doesn’t satisfy though. Mostly zombies move in single file and offensive plants, too, are limited to a single row, though later upgrades to offer a wider area of attack. Even though it’s an incredibly fun game, it does have some issues which are worth investigating. What makes this particular Popcap game so fun despite some flaws, and what is it that elevates it above the increasing flood of independent releases today?

The main problem with the game is that the basic premise, the largest chunk of the game in the adventure mode, is very slow to start. With limited options and the previously mentioned single-file approach to offense and defense, you spent the first part of the game basically building the same elements in each row, which makes the game somewhat boring. And this is a shame, because once the game starts to build, exchanges day and night cycles, adds a pool, moves to the rooftop things get a lot more strategic. Even at this point there is a fair amount of row-based similarities in your tactics, but with a huge list of plants to choose from and only a limited number of seed slots to occupy during a wave your choices in “weapons” and the way you choose to play all become strategic elements in the game outside of the actual level.

What is most telling is that the selection of mini-games is actually more fun than the basic game. Whether it’s zombie bowling, a reversal of roles where you supply the zombies, a slot-machine based version of the game or one of the puzzle modes you’ll probably be spending a lot of time on these. This is not just because they’re good fun, but also because you’ll need a lot of money to buy upgrades with. And though this isn’t a problem per se, the way mini-games are locked is rather crippling. It takes a good length of time playing through the story mode before mini-games are unlocked as an option from the main menu, and even then you’re only given a few, with more unlocked as you finish the story mode.

For the independent developer, though, a lot can be learned from Popcap’s games. Their presentation is usually very high quality and Plants vs. Zombies is no exception, with cute plants, fun zombies and a healthy dose of humour thrown into the mix, especially in the way the zombies try to fool you with handwritten notes sometimes – check out the “help” section on the main menu for example. This title is slick! Some of you may have seen the “music video” on-line, which can also be seen during the end credit sequence, and you have to be a heartless bastard not to smile at its silly cuteness. Zombie Michael Jacksons too appear and do the Thriller dance moves. This game is overflowing with character!

Value for money too is something Popcap gets right again. The number of different mini-games, although all vaguely based on the central premise, is astounding and even harks back to some previous Popcap titles with a Bejeweled knock-off in there somewhere. It’s not just the sheer amount of imagination that surprises as the amount of fun all these mini-games offer. The tradition is that mini-games are annoying breaks from regular play with little compulsion to replay them at leisure, but not so in Plants vs. Zombies, where they are actually more fun than the core mode. Then there is a Zen Garden mode, where you look after pot plants for extra bonuses, as well as an almanac that lists all the seeds and zombies you’ve encountered with funny descriptions. Content-wise Plants vs. Zombies puts most other independent offerings to shame.

Though Plants vs. Zombies isn’t quite the must-have Peggle is, and it will disappoint tower defense fanatics, it is a great little title I can recommend to anyone, though know that it only really picks up after you’ve completed three quarters of the story mode orso. For independents it is a must-check-out for the level of polish and presentation few other developers seem to be able to match these days.

10 comments:

  1. FILBERT BENEDICTUS 11.3Friday, May 29, 2009

    I also think this game is the best game made by Popcap so far. And it has the 'addicting' feel which every Popcap game has. This game is somewhat very original and it is incredibly interesting and challenging. There is no doubt that this game has rapidly rising up the best game ladder in many websites I see.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wanted Download Games who are basically teaching kids the importance of health, environment. And with this game, it somehow gives a lesson the nice thing a plant can do, although somewhat exaggerated because in true life, there is no zombie, but represents pollution instead.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The cold winter, does not seem too for wedding. Most recently, the cold one after another, hangzhou air temperature pelter, let many wedding in late November bride is due a single wear gauze or dress, will feel cold, wear too much and feel very bloated. For the bride, the winter is the biggest test how wedding in temperature and balance between poise.

    Don't be too upset, actually this season only fees cheap Wedding Dresses, marriage can create a different character "winter wedding", also more memorable.

    You can use the glittering and translucent white fairy tale, cheap cell phones
    ,the artistic conception to dress up oneself's wedding, choose blue, green, white ice cold tonal, decorous atmosphere to create beautiful, Can borrow snow machine and bubble machine build indoor romantic atmosphere, snowflake, feathers, Christmas tree,cheap cocktail dresses, even is the element such as silver crystal, can add to your winter wedding dreamy colour, cheap jewelryyou can even in a pile of snowman YingBinChu lovely, guests, we must take it and will soon be well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like your article, really interesting! My point is also very good, I hope you'll like:chi flat iron are a very popular choice of hair straightener.New Balance,new Blance shoes,new Blance Outlet are some of the most comfortable and stylish shoes on the market today. The designer has a whole range of shoes for all types of athletes. five finger shoes,vibram five fingers,Five fingers shoes give women the feeling of walking barefoot while still keeping the feet protected.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nel Moncler fan, sono fermamente vi Moncler Giacche proponiamo. Perché è il materiale migliore, Moncler abbigliamentoè al 100% della salute dei bambini. Se vuoi essere comodo da indossare, moderno, Moncler presaè la scelta migliore è un modo semplice è l'apertura selettore speciale Moncler cappotti per ogni occasione.

    ReplyDelete
  6. If you are the proud owner of a Chi flat iron, then you may also need to know the right method for fixing this brand if it went wrong. Generally all types of irons demand regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it going in good condition. If you want to increase the life expectancy of your Chi hair straightener, you should always clean it regularly and if it stops working, you should be aware of how to fix it perfectly to get going. Here we provide with some of the important tips and preventions that you need to know about your Chi styling tool.ghd uk Always prevention is better than cure and so if you can prevent your straightening iron from becoming damaged more often, you can save the money and effort for fixing it every now and then.ghd hair If you love your flat iron and wish to use it longer, then you should always take good care of your Chi styler. Remember not to immerse it in water and never store it near to water like in your bathroom as water can cause it to damage easily.chi for sale Hair straightener if comes in contact with water can also cause shock and other injuries to the user as well.chi sale You should also protect your hair styler from any sharp objects. Flat iron can get damaged by the detangling of its cord that should not be allowed.Ghd Australia By eliminating the misuses, you can keep it away from any damages.Best Hair Straightener presents Only damages cause by manufacturing defects are only covered by warranties.Trying to fix the Chi straightener by yourself can be dangerous if you are not expert in the job.ugg boots clearance Products that work on heat should be handled with care, therefore be careful when repairing the electrical equipments.ghd hair salon If your flat iron has damaged during the warranty period, never try to repair it yourself as it may cancel the warranty. All the professional Chi ceramic models are protected by impressive warranties. You can either return it to the authorized manufacturer - the Farouk Systems or can indirectly deal the case with the dealer who with give it to its manufacturer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I found a shop to buy Nintendo from Japan. http://bit.ly/TTTk2Z

    ReplyDelete
  8. Have ever visited this site: thegreencrystal, it's on big sales these days. Don't miss it!!

    ReplyDelete