Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare
Developer(s)	PopCap Games
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Series	Plants vs. Zombies
Engine	Frostbite 3
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Xbox 360 Xbox One
Release date(s)	Xbox 360 & Xbox One ^NA February 25, 2014 ^AUS February 27, 2014 ^EU February 28, 2014 Microsoft Windows ^NA June 24, 2014 ^EU June 27, 2014 PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4 ^NA August 19, 2014 ^AUS August 21, 2014 ^EU August 22, 2014
Genre(s)	Third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Multiplayer

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is a multiplayer third-person shooter and tower defense video game. It is the third game in the Plants vs. Zombies series, developed by PopCap Games and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The game features co-op along with competitive multiplayer modes, where players can control the plants as well as the zombies.

Gameplay

In most game modes the player can take control of plants or zombies from a third person perspective in either a cooperative or competitive multiplayer environment.^[1]

To progress in the game, players must complete unique challenges to each class. These challenges, once completed, will level up the character allowing the player to access features such as upgrades, new characters, weapon skins and character clothing. The game's challenge pop-ups closely resemble the notification system used on the Xbox One.

The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions feature split-screen multiplayer as well as Boss Mode, also supported in the PC version, which is similar to Commander mode from Battlefield 4.

Modes

The game features a cooperative mode and four competitive multiplayer modes. Three different modified versions of the competitive modes: A playlist consisting of Team Vanquish featuring one map, no unlocked characters, and no customization. It is aimed towards new players, but it is available to all players regardless of rank.

• Garden Ops: A cooperative mode where up to four players take control of each of the plants defending a garden through ten zombie waves, with the fifth and tenth waves being boss waves represented by a slot machine, hosted by Dr.Zomboss, either spawning 1-3 bosses, a jackpot, tombstones, a huge swarm of zombies or a Super Boss. After that,they must run and survive to the extraction point to be saved by Crazy Dave.
• Team Vanquish: A team deathmatch variant, where two teams representing plants and zombies fight against each other to take down opponents.
• Vanquish Confirmed: A game mode where players must collect orbs from fallen opponents to receive credit. This mode shares the concept with the "Kill Confirmed" mode from the Call of Duty series
• Gardens and Graveyards: A game mode where players either capture (as zombies) or defend (as plants) various objectives. It is a parody of the Conquest and Rush modes from the Battlefield series.
• Gnome Bomb: A game mode where players attempt to secure a bomb (strapped to the back of a helpless gnome) and detonate at various bases. It is similar to Obliteration mode from Battlefield 4.
• Classic Team Vanquish: Team Vanquish with no customization.
• Classic Gardens and Graveyards: Gardens and Graveyards with no customization.
• Mixed Mode: A playlist where each game mode is used interchangeably. It will be one mode with either zombies or plants. Then the next mode played right after will be the same mode along with the same map. However, the player will be using the opposite character team from before. Using the opposite character team does not happen all the time. After two matches of the same mode are complete, the other mode mentioned will do the same action as described. Before the "Tactical Taco Party Pack" update, this mode only supported Team Vanquish and Gardens and Graveyards, following it though, Gnome Bomb, Vanquish Confirmed, and eventually Suburbination were added.
• Suburbination: A domination variant, where the objective is to capture three areas, A, B, and C in the map.
• Taco Bandits: A capture the flag variant, where the zombies must steal 3 tacos from Crazy Dave's taco stand and bring them to a UFO (The plants have improved defenses).

Development

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare was presented for the first time at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013 as part of the presentation given by the Electronic Arts (EA). The game is developed entirely in the EA game engine Frostbite 3, and supports Mantle "out of the box."^[2][3] The game was first announced for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, later it was reported that it would also be available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

Downloadable content

Seven packs of free downloadable content have been released.^[4]

• Garden Variety Pack: The Garden Variety pack featured the introduction of 'Gnome Bomb', the addition of the 'Chomp Town' map,Super good character for every character, over 100 customization options were added, and Zombie Pirates.
• Zomboss Down Pack: The Zomboss Down pack featured the introduction of the 'Cactus Canyon' map for 'Gardens and Graveyards', 8 new characters and increased levels for every character, and new customization options. This DLC came unexpectedly early and surprised a lot of fans.
• Tactical Taco Party Pack: The Tactical Taco Party Pack featured the introduction of the 'Jewel Junction' map for Xbox platforms, after being a timed exclusive on PC, the new 'Vanquish Confirmed' game mode, two new characters sponsored by Aquafina FlavorSplash, a new 8v8 playlist for 'Mixed Mode', 8 new special waves and One new challenge for 'Garden Ops'. This also introduced 5 nerfs and 4 buffs. This also fixed an exploit where the Sun Pharaoh (a new character that arrived in the Zomboss Down DLC that shoots in bursts of 3) could rapid-fire by pressing LB without letting go.
• Suburbination Pack: The Suburbination Pack featured the introduction of the 'Crash Course' map, the new 'Suburbination' game mode, new boss characters, Special Waves, and challenges for Garden Ops, blinged-out customization packs for all characters, and the new 'Plasma Pea' character, designed by the winner of a competition.
• Cheetos Pack: The Cheetos Pack, available with specially-marked Cheetos bags in U.S. Target stores, featured the introduction of two new character variants, the 'Chester Chomper' and the 'Dr. Chester', based on the Cheetos mascot, Chester Cheetah, as well as new cheesy-abilities for both character classes. The characters and abilities were released to all for free later on.
• Legends of the Lawn Pack: The Legends of the Lawn Pack featured seven new character variants, including the 'Centurion' and the 'Jade Cactus', new customization sets and AI consumables, new Garden Ops waves, the 'Taco Bandits' game mode, and hack the Triangulabobers in 'Garden Ops'; also includes the 'Suburbination Pack' for PlayStation consoles. This also introduced 5 nerfs and 6 buffs.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings (PS4) 78%[5] (PC) 78%[6] (XONE) 77%[7] (X360) 77%[8] (PS3) 76.00%[9] Metacritic (PC) 78/100[10] (XONE) 76/100[11] (PS4) 75/100[12] (X360) 69/100[13] Review scores Publication Score Edge 5/10[14] Eurogamer 8/10[15] Game Informer 6.5/10[16] Game Revolution [17] GameSpot 7.0/10[18] GamesRadar [19] GameTrailers 7.9/10[20] GameZone 8.5/10[21] IGN 7.8/10[22] Joystiq [23] Polygon 8.5/10[24] VideoGamer.com 7/10[25] Hardcore Gamer 3.5/5[26]

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare received positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation 4 version 78.07% based on 15 reviews and 75/100 based on 23 reviews,^[5][12] the Microsoft Windows version 77.50% based on 4 reviews and 78/100 based on 11 reviews,^[6][10] the Xbox One version 77.18% based on 51 reviews and 76/100 based on 65 reviews,^[7][11] the Xbox 360 version 76.67% based on 3 reviews and 69/100 based on 6 reviews^[8][13] and the PlayStation 3 version 76.00% based on 1 review.^[9]

GameZone's Lance Liebl gave the Xbox One version an 8.5/10, stating "Don't let the thought of a Plants vs. Zombies shooter scare you off; it actually is a really fun game. Yes, it needs more game modes and split-screen play options, but everything else about the game shines."^[21] Hardcore Gamer's Steve Hannley gave the Xbox One version a 3.5/5, saying "The maps are well-designed, character classes are surprisingly well-balanced and there's a large amount of customization. Including only three modes however is a massive oversight that severely damages the replay value."^[26]

On November 24, 2015, Electronic Arts announced that Garden Warfare has been played by more than 8 million players since its release.^[27]

Sequel

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 was officially revealed at the Microsoft E3 Press Conference and released on February 23, 2016 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.^[28]

References

1. Flores Villarreal, Javier (June 10, 2013). "EA confirmes Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare #E3". niubie.com. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
2. Makuch, Eddie (June 10, 2013). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare confirmed". GameSpot. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
3. Kowaliski, Cyril (November 13, 2013). "Mantle to power 15 Frostbite games; DICE calls for multi-vendor support". The Tech Report. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
4. Gaston, Martin (March 5, 2014). "Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare won't charge for DLC, but what about microtransactions?". GameSpot.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
5. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for PlayStation 4". GameRankings. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
6. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for PC". GameRankings. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
7. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for Xbox One". GameRankings. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
8. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
9. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
10. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
11. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
12. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
13. "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
14. Staff, Edge (March 5, 2014). "Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare review". Edge. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
15. Denton, Jon (February 27, 2014). "Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare review". Eurogamer. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
16. Marchiafava, Jeff (February 27, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare". Game Informer. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
17. DanieL Rbischoff (February 25, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare review". Game Revolution. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
18. Petit, Carolyn (February 25, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Review". GameSpot. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
19. Cooper, Hollander (February 27, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare review". GamesRadar. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
20. Jones, Brandon (February 25, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare - Review". GameTrailers. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
21. Liebl, Lance (February 26, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare review: the chicken and waffles of video games". GameZone. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
22. Albert, Brian (February 27, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Review". IGN. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
23. Wehner, Mike (February 28, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare review: Give peas a chance". Joystiq. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
24. Gies, Arthur (February 25, 2014). "Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare review: turf war". Polygon. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
25. Bratt, Christopher (February 25, 2014). "Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare Review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
26. Hannley, Steve (February 25, 2014). "Review: Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
27. Makuch, Eddie (November 23, 2015). "Wacky Shooter Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Reaches 8 Million Players". GameSpot. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
28. Dyer, Mitch (June 15, 2015). "E3 2015: Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Confirmed". IGN. Retrieved June 15, 2015.

External links

• Official website