Review: Plants vs Zombies

It's no doubt that Zombies are right on top of the gamer's enemy list, right next to Nazi's, Robots, and evil corporations. Zombies are everywhere; They're in music, on TV, T-shirts, tattoos and now even on my computer screen! It's Plants vs Zombies and it has been taking up the bulk of my gaming time. My dead, decaying, brain-hungry, walking little secret was only a click away!

Pop Cap is definitely going to be a game developer to watch. Sure, they dabble in quick little easy to play arcade games but they are really well thought out fun arcade games! Take Plants vs Zombies for instance where they give you their take on tower defense, it's quick, easy and it's tower defense and Warcraft III knows I love me some tower defense. So the basic setup is pretty easy, plant sunflowers to receive more sun, and plant more plants to strengthen your defense against the invading zombies. As you progress through different levels you gain new plants that you can mix and match for strategic purposes.

The backyard adds a pool for added strategy

The Ultimate Defense, Tall Wallnuts!

Collecting cards may have brought in the addictive element since I am a collector of many things. The strategy comes with the initial 7 slots you have. Completing stages gives you new cards as you progress with the story mode. You then reach a card cap and have to choose from over 30 different types of plants to use against the zombies. It is really quite simple and begins to take an interesting turn as you reach the second level, where you play during the night and no longer receive as much sun power. You have to rely on your Sun-shrooms and newly acquired spores to fend off the midnight zombies. What was really great about the game was that a new zombie type was added after every stage, so not only are you juggling with new plants to play with but you have new types of zombies to kill and learn from. You are then transported to your backyard where there is a pool and finally your roof which both provide new tactics.

Watch out for those graveyards later

This is Crazy Dave, your crazy next door neighbor

who has some great stuff for sale, like extra slots!

Lets face it, zombie games are usually serious and include heavy horror elements but Plants vs Zombies is good 'ol light humor. The artwork is fresh and the game is teeming with possibilities which Pop Cap definitely took advantage of. PvZ is filled with loads of mini games, and side elements that pack so much extra content for this title. Even your second run-through provides more challenges since you not only have new cards but the game adds extra little challenges. For a small game packing so much content for $9.99 this game is a steal, unless you wait around till Steam offers it for their weekend deals.

Its time like these that I need a Charry Bomb

Overall, the hours I have sunk into this game have been enjoyable and repetition wasn't a factor because it offers new things to do every step of the way. I was pleasantly surprised by this little gem and its the reason downloadable titles are becoming even more popular. Conclude this game with zombies singing along to the end theme and you got a winner.....that's right, there's a song.

Grade: Favorable