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Plants vs. Zombies

EMAIL PRINT pc

9.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 270 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: PopCap Games

Developer: PopCap Games

Genre(s): Action, Strategy

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: May 5, 2009

Summary

Zombies are invading your home, and the only defense is your arsenal of plants! Armed with an alien nursery-worth of zombie-zapping plants like peashooters and cherry bombs, you'll need to think fast and plant faster to stop dozens of types of zombies dead in their tracks. Obstacles like a setting sun, creeping fog and a swimming pool add to the challenge, and with five game modes to dig into, the fun never dies! [Steam]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website Steam Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Destructoid

The most outstanding feature of this incredibly fun title is its personality. Every inch of Plants vs. Zombies is jam-packed with humor and attention to detail, and I never once stopped enjoying its clever take on the genre even after I had exhausted everything it had to offer. Do not miss this game -- titles this good don't come around often.

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100

GameShark

Plants vs. Zombies is an immensely fun and wonderfully imaginative strategy game that makes for one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year.

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100

AceGamez

Plants vs Zombies is what casual gaming is really all about; it's intuitive, easy to start and stop at any time, and has a tremendous variety of gameplay modes.

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Gamers.at

Simply a must-buy for gamers of all thinkable genres. Plants versus Zombies does everything right and brims over with pure, amazingly entertaining fun.

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Play.tm

Plants Vs Zombies is clearly a labour of love and on top of that it's what you might call the perfection of simplistic budget gaming. The game stimulates the emotional mind from start to finish, providing the kind of spontaneous quick-fire stimulation that our minds have come to expect from 21st century lifestyles.

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GamingTrend

PvZ succeeds masterfully at simplifying the tower defense genre into a game that nearly everyone can enjoy.

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Game Revolution

This variety and sense of not knowing what's next is what keeps Plants vs. Zombies fresh - as fresh as rotting zombies can be - and fun.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Plants Vs. Zombies’ gratification isn’t all instant. The rest of the time, it slowly shambles up on you.

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1UP

Despite its initial approachability, PvZ gets surprisingly challenging toward the end of the game.

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Worth Playing

Plants vs. Zombies is a wonderful take on the tower defense sub-genre of strategy gaming.

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Pelit (Finland)

With Plants vs Zombies, Popcap cements its place as masters of polished, casual gaming that still hits its mark even with grizzled gaming vet. Even though the first playthrough of Plants vs Zombies is far too easy, second one combined with the survival mode and the multitude of minigames offers a lot of replayability. The biggest star though is in the graphic design, all the plants and zombies in the game are drawn and designed with funny wit and style. One can't help but love those little flowers fighting it out. [June 2009]

Games Master UK

The brains behind some of the best puzzlers ever drop an undead vs. shrubbery bomb. [July 2009, p.75]

Cheat Code Central

The hilarious presentation, unusual subject matter, and super addictive defense gameplay are good reasons alone to give this game a try, but the bevy of content to explore, zombified adversaries to fight, and plants to collect will stamp out any doubts you might have had about whether participating in a war between zombies and flowers was a good idea.

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Gameplayer Sweden

Plants vs. Zombies is not just one of the best tower defense games out there, it also gives you a tremendous value for the mere 10 euro you pay for it. PopCap has really surpassed anything they have done before with this game’s beautiful graphics, depth and modes that will keep you busy for months. You’ll love every minute of it.

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Cynamite

Simply addictive and fun with surprising complexity for a casual game.

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VideoGamer

With a main game mode that spans 50 levels, numerous unlockable modes that extend the lifespan significantly, stupidly addictive gameplay and fun-infused presentation you'd be a fool to pass up Plants Vs Zombies.

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GameDaily

Hilarious and addictive.

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Wired

It’s a challenging game, too. I’ve logged enough hours in strategy games to qualify as an officer in certain South American militaries, but the last few levels of Adventure mode and many of those Puzzle mode levels require intense concentration and genuine skill.

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Edge Magazine

In feeding constant surprise, engaging wit and sharply pitched challenge during its course, Plants Vs Zombies proves again PopCap's incredible knack of taking an established game form and making it all its own. [May 2009, p.94]

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PC Gamer UK

Frighteningly compelling. [May 2009, p.74]

Eurogamer

A masterful combination of serious strategy and cartoonish delights - and by adding mini-games, survival modes and a shop, PopCap is practically rubbing it in. The result is as fresh and accessible as Super Mario, and as refined and considered as Left 4 Dead, wading into another established genre and polishing the central ideas in a way that will make it a hard act to follow.

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Multiplayer.it

Plants vs. Zombies is an action-strategy game from PopCap. The gameplay, based on the classic tower defense mechanics, is very easy to play but deep and addictive. It is the perfect game to play windowed during a boring meeting that will keep you tied to your pc for a long time.

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GamePro

An incredibly zany yet infectiously fun study of what happens when an irresistible force meets an an army of unmovable flesh-eating objects, Plants vs. Zombies proves that the masterminds at PopCap know how to take an original idea and run with it, producing addictive, and oftentimes hilarious results.

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IGN

It has that elusive "special something" that gets its hooks in you and convinces you to forego food, sleep, and other essentials just to see what the next level has in store. If you've never played a tower defense game before, this is the one you should try.

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GameSpy

Underneath its cutesy veneer Plants vs. Zombies is hardcore. Well done, PopCap. Well done.

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Absolute Games

Plants vs. Zombies is not as complex as classic titles of this genre, GemCraft and Protector, but then again, it doesn’t want to be hardcore. Its graphics are nice despite the minuscule 800x600 resolution, voice-overs make you smile, and there are many ways to entertain yourself (even more than in Space Rangers 2).

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Armchair Empire

That said, Plants vs. Zombies remains a triumph for PopCap. The game joins their Peggle at the top of the addictive, just-one-more-level-and-I'm-off-to-bed, list.

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GameSpot

Addictive action and supercute visuals make Plants vs. Zombies an enjoyable, engaging romp.

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Game Over Online

Plants vs. Zombies is one of those addictive games where you always want to play just a little bit longer -- just to see what crazy thing might appear next, if for no other reason.

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PC Zone UK

Addictive. [July 2009, p.71]

PC Format

PopCap at its finest. [July 2009, p.95]

Thunderbolt

So addictive, charming and entertaining that everyone could be converted to its cause.

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Gamer.nl

Plants vs. Zombies is a casual game in the way only PopCap Games can design. The game is charming, original and addictive. It lacks depth in comparison to other Tower Defence games, but makes up for lost ground by adding new and fresh rules. And if you're looking for a challenge, just hang on. You'll find it eventually.

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Eurogamer Italy

Cheap price, lot of fun, addictive gameplay. Plants Vs Zombies deserves your attention and your money.

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Hardcore Gamer Magazine

Plants vs. Zombies is a huge game with a great sense of humor, and while it tends to play itself once a strategy is completed and the field of fire constructed, putting it all together and experimenting with the possibilities stays fun for a long, long time. [Summer 2009]

Everyeye.it

Pop Cap realizes another masterpiece. Plants Vs. Zombies re-invents tower defense game and offer a great number of minigames and other activities.

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Eurogamer Spain

Fun and addictive.

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Teletext GameCentral

PopCap Games' best yet and the best ever Tower Defence - whether you think that's faint praise or not.

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Total PC Gaming

Plants Vs Zombies is a simple but clever tower defence game, which uses its considerable charm to keep you coming back for more. It might not take you very long to see most of what it has to offer, but you’re sure to have a laugh while you’re at it.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 270 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Mr. Toad gave it a9:
Hideously addictive. Of course, once you've finished everything it loses a bit of freshness, but it took me about 50 hours of playing it non-stop until it felt a bit repetitive. The humor is one of it's greatest qualities, and for only 7£ it's a clear winner. So sure, it might be an arcade game that can fit on an Iphone, and so what? It's an excellent example that you don't need a complex story and expensive graphics to make a good game. Good games are fun, entertaining, and occasionnaly make you think. Plants vs. Zombies has it all.

Bryan L gave it a9:
A game that is so simple yet extremely addictive. One word, remarkable.

N C gave it a10:
I would like to thank George Fan and PopCap for my new favorite popcap game! This game is easy, but further levels add a challenge. And with popcap publishing this, it's gonna have to be under 20 dollars. The graphics are awesome, excellent quality, and it runs on very small GHz processors. It's just amazing. If you enjoy tower defense games, comedy, and just plain fun, buy this now. It's good for kids and adults.

dakotta b gave it a10:
this game is awsome im on the last part of the roof i found the boss it is a big zombie bigger then ever it as a little guy on his back and a big telephone post

Alex B gave it a10:
Been playing it for 3 days straight. Highly addictive. Very original.

Alberto M gave it a9:
One of the funniest and crazyest game ever!!!! A must!!!

K. G. gave it a10:
Amazing. Simply put. Amazing. If you illegaly downloaded or pirated this game for free... you realy need to go buy the real thing. Pop Cap deserveds this one.

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Plants vs. Zombies

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