One part chess, one part "tower defense" and one part World of Warcraft,* *the latest creative stunner from PopCap Games is an addictive whole that's much more than the sum of its parts. Corpses are rising from their graves, and your army of militant plants is the only line of defense between the unholy mob and the delicious brains to be found inside your suburban home. Peashooters fire deadly legumes. Cherry bombs explode. You get the idea.
Plants vs. Zombies, released Tuesday for PC and Mac, is the brainchild of George Fan, a game designer working out of his bedroom. In an industry driven by blockbuster franchises and derivative clones, its addictive gameplay and clever design offer a glimpse of an alternate side of the gaming industry, where creations are labors of love.
From its stylish social hub, you can pick from its six PvP multiplayer modes, a co-op tower-defence mode, and even free roam areas with standalone campaigns that can be played solo or with a friend (split-screen co-op is available for all modes on console, but not on PC). Most are derivative of modes you already know – Suburbination is just a three-point domination mode like you’d see in any Call of Duty, for example – but the variety meant I was always able to find something I was in the mood for.
It is a very funny game. You’d think that slaying hundreds of reanimated bodies would be somber or terrifying, but every level of the game offers something to laugh about, like hilarious commentary from the game’s eccentric cast: During one level, the zombies themselves send you a crudely scrawled note offering a "midnight znack" of "ice cream and brains."
Battle Arena is a great addition, but my favorite mode has to be Turf Takeover: a 12v12 fight on one of four huge, multi-part maps. These battlefields blend capture points, payload pushing, and some exciting final objectives, such as delivering bombs to an enemy base while dodging giant, falling marshmallows. It’s the same formula as previous Plants vs. Zombies shooters, but the all-new maps each have their own distinct mechanics that breathe fresh life into it.
Their personalities are expressed most clearly when they sprint – an action that wasn’t included in previous games, but is a welcome addition as it lets you get back into the action faster. When you sprint with the Zombie Foot Soldier, his back-mounted rocket hoists him up and propels him forward, sputtering and chugging along the way. When the healing Sunflower runs, they first glance back at the camera and then dance forward, leaves slapping the ground as their head bobs merrily from side to side.
No comments