S&S Guest Review: Plants vs Zombies (Vita)

Plants vs Zombies has been out for some time now on numerous consoles, phones and computers, and now makes its way to the PlayStation Vita. There are no surprises here as it is the same game you may have played multiple times over, but this really isn’t a bad thing.

Presentation

The game doesn’t try to take itself too seriously and the presentation shows this. The art-style is cartoonish and works very well with the overall feel of the game. Most of the plants are quite adorable and the zombies follow suit to make the game visually appealing. You’ll never get tired of looking at all the cute plants in your yard and the funny looking zombies that try to eat them. I really enjoy how the adventure mode is presented in the game, using a very strange shop owner to provide some comic moments and to move the adventure along. Everything right down to the ending “surprise” is all presented in a funny and enjoyable fashion.

Gameplay

Plants vs Zombies is a “tower defense” game where you use plants to defend your house from zombies. If the zombies make it past your defenses they will enter your house and eat your brains. This is a simple premise, but there are many different variations in gameplay to keep the formula fresh for many hours.

There are over 40 plants that you have in your arsenal, and you unlock them as you play through the adventure mode. You place your plants on your lawn in strategic places to stop the onslaught of zombies which varies from level to level. You need to collect resources (sun) in order to use most of the plants which adds to the strategy. The zombie waves are somewhat predictable as they give you a glimpse of what to expect at the start of each level, but you will definitely need to think on your feet at times and the later levels do get more difficult.

Aside from the adventure mode there are various mini-games to play, some that will certainly give you a good challenge. The endless modes are especially challenging as the zombie waves become larger and more devastating as you progress. There’s also a shop where you can buy plant upgrades and other items to enhance the experience. This will keep you coming back and adds to the feeling of progression.

Plants vs Zombies is tons of fun and very addictive. I have played a few other tower defense games and this one is by far the most enjoyable. There are so many ways to go about completing a level that it keeps the game interesting even after playing through the adventure mode numerous times. All the mini-games and progression items keep you coming back. On top of all that, there’s a platinum trophy to earn, and it’s quite challenging.

Graphics

The 2D graphic style works very well for the game and showcases the nice cartoony feel. This is the best looking handheld version due to the PlayStation Vita’s rich OLED screen. There really isn’t much else to say here other than that the game looks great and runs well. I did experience a few issues when playing the endless survival mode as there just gets to be too much on the screen and the game starts to run very sluggish. You won’t see this happen often though as all the other modes run great.

Sound

The sound design in Plants vs Zombies is very basic and minimal, but that is really all you need.The creatures make rather cute noises that bring together the whole cartoonish feel. This is a great game to play with some background music as there’s nothing you really need to hear in order to play the game. One thing you must experience though is the “surprise” at the end of the adventure mode, it’s adorable!

Lasting Appeal

If you are looking for an engrossing and addictive game for your PlayStation Vita then look no further, especially if you’re a trophy hunter. The main adventure mode features 50 levels and should be played at least twice. There are plenty of mini-games, plant upgrades and other modes to keep you coming back. The Zen Garden is nice as it allows you to collect and grow your own plants, and there’s even a tree of wisdom you can grow that gives you game tips, codes and more. Many people will be getting this game to score a platinum trophy, and this will keep you busy for many weeks I am sure.

Overall

What else can I say about Plants vs Zombies? It’s amazing and one of the most addictive games I have played in some time. I suggest that all PlayStation Vita owners get their hands on this game as it’s really made for a handheld. Even if you’ve played the game before I highly recommend giving it another go and aiming to earn the platinum trophy as it is a ton of fun. It’s a $14.99 title so it’s not breaking the bank by any means and is well worth the money. If you’re not a fan of tower defense games I would even suggest giving this a shot as it has something to offer for everyone. Why are you still reading, the zombies are coming for your brains and need to be stopped!

Score: 9.5/10

by Ryan Amirault

Check out the original post here http://rcastudios.com/