PopCap has been guilty of destroying productivity in many workplaces and has also been attributed to the break ups of happy couples everywhere.  If only Helen and Paris of Troy had Peggle, maybe they wouldn't have had to go to war.  But I digress, I'm here to tell you about PopCap's latest digital narcotic, Plants VS. Zombies.  This was a game that, from the beginning, was oozing with dark humor and tongue in cheek gameplay.  PVZ essentially tells the story of a zombie invasion, where you, a survivor in this horrific, post apocalyptic world, is left to fight for your right to live.  It all sounds grim until you find out that your lawn is the last line of defense and what a lawn this is!  Some one has been feeding it Turf Builder for sure!

The essence of the game is a play on the traditional tower defense strategy game.  How it differs slightly is that there is no guided path for the zombies to travel; instead you have an empty lawn on the left and the zombie horde on the right.  Another twist in gameplay is the collection of resources to grow your plants.  The resource comes in the form of little sunshine drops that either fall out of the sky during the day or is generated but none other than "sun-flowers".

There are over 40 different varieties of plants and 26 different zombies types; it's not unusual to find yourself frantically pausing the game just to catch a breathe as zombies over run your lawn.  Every plant has its advantages against a specific type of zombie.  From your lowly pea-shooter to the powerful mushrooms that spew spores (but only at night), you will have a multitude of defenses at yoru finger tips to ward off the invasion.

Even though there are not as many zombie types as there are plants, you will still find a zany bunch of enemies.  From zombies that pole vault over your "Wall-Nut" defenses to the in-famous Michael Jackson Thriller zombies, you won't be disappointed or bored with PopCap's choice of the undead.  As plants are introduced most every level, zombies are introduced as well with each new addition getting more difficult and requiring strategic shifts in play style.

It is possible to approach this game as offensively or as defensively as you like but to be successful, you must be flexible.  Even though PVZ is wrapped in a whimsical shell (PopCap announced the game with a music video!) there is still a lot of strategy involved to keep all players interested.

PopCap has designed Plants VS. Zombies with over 50 regular levels, an endless survival mode, 20 mini games (with hidden Easter eggs as well), a puzzle mode, a zen garden, and a hilarious Almanac that catalogues all the plants and zombies that you have encountered.  This is definitely not a fly-by-night casual fair you would find on the shelves of your local grocery store.

Where I'm Coming From

I've been a big fan of PopCap since the days of Zuma and Bejewelled but with the advent of the iPhone, I've been finding myself playing more and more of these "casual" games.  Games that I can pop in and play for a few minutes at a time fits perfectly into my busy schedule.

What I Compared it to

This is essentially a play on the tower defense genre and the in terms of art style, Plants VS. Zombies would be most likely to resemble either FieldRunners on the iPhone or Pixel Junk Monsters on the PSN.  Both are very good tower defense games but neither does much to change the formula, unlike Plants VS. Zombies.

What I Liked

I absolutely love the pick up an play philosophy of the design.  The art style and music totally complements the zany sense of humor the developers designed into this game.  The multitude of plants and zombies also makes for a very satisfying game by providing players with enough variety to last through the stages and the mini-games.  Being developed for both PC and OSX also means I'm not hampered by OS and anyone with a computer can play this game without issue.

What I Didn't Like

The only gripe I could have with Plants VS. Zombies is the retail price.  PopCap is distributing PVZ for $20 USD, which is certainly worth it for those wanting a rewarding experience, but I can't help but wonder what else $20 US can get me.  With Peggle for the DS coming in at $19 US, and triple-A titles such as God of War for the PSP also at $20 US, it bears the question of whether Plants VS. Zombies is priced too high.

Value

Granted that the price tag may turn off some players, but the value is there.  If you are remotely interested in tower defense strategy games, or simply adore casual games that are smart and engaging, you owe it to yourself to download the demo and give Plants VS. Zombies a try.  There is no doubt that PopCap will be releasing expansion packs and modified versions of this title in the future so if you're of the frugal mind, then perhaps waiting for a price drop may help soothe the wallet somewhat.

Final Word

Plants VS. Zombies is such a joy to play that I often find myself wide-eyed and smiling well into the night.  The hook of "just one more level" applies in spades here but yet, the game is designed to be consumed a few minutes at a time.  With the unending survival mode and the hilariously entertaining mini-games, Plants VS. Zombies is a must buy for the casual and dedicated gamer.

Second Take by FatYoshi (PC version)

Much like Nguy, with a career and commitments in life, I can't play longer game like I use to in my younger days.  Portable or quick fix gaming has certainly taken a  precedence.  PopCap's Plants vs. Zombies is a perfect game for gamers on the go.

PvZ is a simple but brilliant game.  The premise may be quirky but the game is very accessible for gamers of all ages and skill levels.  The game starts of quite easy but quickly ramps up to crazy.  In fact, the experience can be quite epic and especially satisfying after barely surviving the zombie onslaught!

I will surmise that this game won't play the same way twice.  With the many plant species available at your disposal, the different combinations means a different strategy. Being able to play the game differently certainly offers good replay value.

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of content in a game of this size.  $20 USD may be a tad steep but don't let that turn you off from this game.  Anyone who is finding that there aren't enough hours in the day but still want a gaming fix will find this game very accessible.  Highly recommended.