Electronic Arts is well known for taking advantage of video game fans with minor updates leading the way. For proof look no farther than their sports lineup. Anything outside of sports is often ignored as far as updates and regular releases, even their popular Need for Speed series is lackluster in regular releases. Sometimes I forget they own PopCap Games, the makers of Plants vs Zombies, then I see a news report like this one – an HD remake of the classic lawn defense game with new modes. At least it is not a rip-off like the mobile Plants vs Zombies 2 was. I think.
Somewhere the Graphics Were Improved
I am being hard on the claim of “HD graphics” because, well, I can’t really see them. The original looked great to me, 2D hand drawn pixel art has a way of being able to age quite well. I guess they upped the resolution, cleaned up the sprites a bit and claimed it is HD now? From the embedded video below, I cannot really see much new in the gameplay graphics.
I assume there will be cut scenes now with Crazy Dave, the original only had him pop up in slide shows offering tips and delivering fear mongering.
Those New Game Modes
If you are like me, the most interesting part of this announcement is the new modes. First, there will be a team up mode for local co-op play. This mode will also offer competitive local play so you can test each other’s style against undead hell.
Test Your Brainz mode brings a twist called shade. This will limit when and how much sunlight you get. If you have played Plants vs Zombies before then you know how much this is going to twist how you defend your home.
There will also apparently be a lot of never before seen content available detailing the rise of Plants vs Zombies in the first place.
Knowing Electronic Arts, we can expect in-app purchases of some sort, at the minimum expansion packs that cost around half, if not more than half, what the base game cost.
Plants vs Zombies Replanted will release on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S and One consoles as well as the Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. Computer gamers are not left out as it will also release on the EA App (they have an app?), Epic Games Store and Steam.
Release is set for October 23rd, 2025.