Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted – Gameplay Details, and Every Big Change Explained

by

Released in 2009, Plants vs. Zombies was a hugely influential game that helped popularize the tower defense and strategy genres. It’s a fun, charming game with a unique concept and memorable characters, and it’s been released on almost every gaming platform since, along with several sequels. Now, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted revisits the original game. If you’re considering buying it, here are 15 things to keep in mind.

It’s PvZ, but HD

Despite interest in a sequel, the classic game Plants vs. Zombies is making a comeback with updated graphics. The original garden-based tower defense game is being remastered in HD, featuring improved visuals and widescreen support. This isn’t a remake, but rather the original game code enhanced for modern screens. Some updated graphics come from the iPad HD version, while others have been redrawn. While the gameplay remains the same, the sharper graphics also make previously hard-to-see details – like seed packet icons, price tags, and particles – much clearer.

New Content

The Steam page for the remastered version of Replanted promises new secrets and content for players to discover. After completing the main story, players can enjoy Adventure Mode, followed by Mini-Games, Puzzle Mode, and Survival Mode. A significant addition is a new mode called Bonus Levels!, which originally existed as hidden mini-games in the original PC version of Replanted. These levels, previously requiring a cheat code to access, are now fully playable as part of the remastered experience.

Mini-Games Will Feature

The world of Plants vs. Zombies and its mini-games go hand-in-hand. The upcoming Replanted version will bring back many of the series’ beloved mini-games – now updated with improved visuals. Confirmed favorites like Wall-Nut Bowling, Slot Machine, and ZomBotany will return, and the remaster promises even more exciting and chaotic gameplay than before.

Some Platform-Exclusive Mini-Games Excluded

Some Mini-Games from previous versions won’t be included in Replanted for a couple of reasons. First, certain games needed special hardware, like the Nintendo DS stylus, making games like Homerun Derby and Air Raid difficult to port. Second, because Replanted is launching on many different devices, some games that were only available on one platform – such as Buttered Popcorn on iPad and Android – might not be compatible with all versions.

New Multi-Player Modes

A new addition to Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is the introduction of two multiplayer modes. Team Up lets two players cooperate to defend against zombies, while PvP allows two players to compete head-to-head for zombie control. Currently, both modes can only be played locally, and there are no plans announced for online multiplayer.

No Microtransactions

Great news for fans! Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted won’t have any microtransactions. You’ll be able to unlock all skins, customization options, and upgrades simply by playing the game – everything is included with your purchase. And currently, there aren’t any plans for downloadable content. If the game does well, they might consider adding DLC later on.

New Solo-Challenge Mode: Cloudy Day

The new ‘Cloudy Day’ feature brings a bit of gloom to the game, with dark clouds blocking the sun and causing sunflowers to playfully fall asleep. You’ll encounter this in ten different Adventure Mode levels where you need to carefully manage your sun production. When the sun is shining, plant as many sun-producing plants as you can and store up the resources. When clouds roll in, you’ll have to use what you’ve already built until the sun reappears. Luckily, seed packets are cheaper and reload faster during cloudy periods. ‘Cloudy Day’ adds a new level of challenge, forcing you to plan your defenses and prepare for when the skies darken.

Another New Solo-Challenge Mode: Rest in Peace

R.I.P. (Rest in Peace) is an extremely challenging new mode for experienced Plants vs. Zombies players. It’s a ‘permadeath’ mode, meaning if you lose a level in Adventure Mode, you have to start the entire campaign over. To make things even more difficult, Crazy Dave chooses three specific seeds for each level, adding a random element. R.I.P. Mode is designed to be very difficult and will provide the most intense PvZ gameplay yet.

Tree of Wisdom Returns

In the original game, the Tree of Wisdom unlocked helpful extras as you progressed. The upcoming remaster, Replanted, will continue this tradition, but with a new feature. Players can now use the Tree of Wisdom to change how the game looks, including a confirmed option to switch to a pixelated Browncoat Zombie skin. A special pre-order bonus item can also be enabled or disabled through the tree, and we’ll share details about that later.

PvZ 2’s Speed-Up Button Appears

The popular game Replanted now includes a feature that lets players speed up time – something that wasn’t in the original 2009 version. Now, Plants vs. Zombies players can play levels up to 2.5 times faster. While levels can sometimes start slowly, this speed boost is a helpful addition, though it might make collecting sunlight a bit more challenging.

There’s an All-New Art and Concept Library

The latest update to the game’s Almanac includes a brand-new Art and Concept Library, showcasing early sketches and development art. This is a great way to celebrate the game’s history and will likely appeal to both longtime fans and new players. However, some are questioning the Library’s authenticity, as the original artists weren’t involved in the remaster.

Pre-Order Bonus

As we just mentioned, if you pre-order Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, you’ll receive a charmingly old-school peashooter skin, designed with the same pixelated style as the Browncoat Zombie. It would be great to see more retro-style skins added to the game, as a few pixelated characters might seem a little out of place in Replanted’s otherwise high-resolution garden. It’s also important to note that Replanted is available digitally only – there are currently no plans for a physical release.

Release Date, Platforms, and Price

The updated game, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, will be available worldwide starting October 23rd. You can play it on most popular platforms, including PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (original and OLED models), and PC (through Steam, the Epic Games Store, or the EA app). It’s also a great value at $19.99 or £17.99.

PC Requirements

You won’t need a powerful computer to play PvZ: Replanted. The minimum requirements are an Intel i3 or AMD FX-6300 processor, Intel integrated graphics, and 4GB of RAM. For a smoother experience, they recommend an Intel i5 or similar processor, a Radeon HD 7730, GeForce GT 640, or better graphics card, and 8GB of RAM. The game requires 4GB of storage space and supports controllers, which is great for playing with friends locally in co-op or versus modes.

No Mod Support

The upcoming version of the game, Replanted, won’t include official support for modifications, or ‘mods’. While many players have asked for this feature, it hasn’t been prioritized. The developers have said that the original game’s code from 2009 was difficult to work with, and the lack of Steam Workshop support limited the size of the modding community for Plants vs. Zombies. Although it would be great to see mod support added, players shouldn’t expect it.

Read More

2025-10-22 20:13