Plants vs. Zombies

 PC
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1448 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,270 out of 1448
  2. Mixed: 144 out of 1448
  3. Negative: 34 out of 1448
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JCH
    May 8, 2009
    10
    Of all possible user ratings, Metacrtics would allow Henry M to actually put his retarded review in here!??!!? WTF. Metacritics can at least have the decency to get rid of retarded and moronic reviews like Henry M. He's nothing but a troll and full of bs. PC power gaming house my ***. In regards to this game, its a great defense type of game, which provides a great stress relief Of all possible user ratings, Metacrtics would allow Henry M to actually put his retarded review in here!??!!? WTF. Metacritics can at least have the decency to get rid of retarded and moronic reviews like Henry M. He's nothing but a troll and full of bs. PC power gaming house my ***. In regards to this game, its a great defense type of game, which provides a great stress relief after an intensive fps or rts. The unique spin that the developers put on this game has definitely breathed new life into the genre. Anyone, gamer or not, should consider picking this title up. And to reiterate once more, Henry M is an idiot who doesn't understand squat.… Expand
  2. JuniR
    May 9, 2009
    10
    Henry M's review amused me but not as much as the game as the latter has way more depth. This game could be multi-platform and I'd like to think they'd release it for the DS like they did Peggle cos I'd play it even more. My "power house" PC plays Left4Dead (my current favourite) and Empire Total War with glorious eye candy and audio. This game has way less bugs than Henry M's review amused me but not as much as the game as the latter has way more depth. This game could be multi-platform and I'd like to think they'd release it for the DS like they did Peggle cos I'd play it even more. My "power house" PC plays Left4Dead (my current favourite) and Empire Total War with glorious eye candy and audio. This game has way less bugs than both of those amd combines zombies and strategy in a simple but engrossingly clever and addictive game. You'd only rate this 0 if you never even played it... or it was too hard for you.… Expand
  3. JoostL
    Jun 1, 2009
    7
    Great game for a low price. However, its still a Tower Defense game, its more fun then most other free to play ones online but in the end its still a Tower Defense game that does get boring quite fast as levels take less then 10 minutes and the start of each one goes way way to slow.
  4. HarveyD
    Jun 19, 2009
    10
    Amazing. Simply addictive from beginning to end. The developers did everything right: constantly changing gameplay (fog of war, angular-warfare, etc), new weapons (after almost every stage), longevity (even after the main story is over, the game isn't). This is the type of game that I guarantee anyone can pick up, play, and find themselves not letting go. A friend watching me play Amazing. Simply addictive from beginning to end. The developers did everything right: constantly changing gameplay (fog of war, angular-warfare, etc), new weapons (after almost every stage), longevity (even after the main story is over, the game isn't). This is the type of game that I guarantee anyone can pick up, play, and find themselves not letting go. A friend watching me play this game got to asking me: "What does that plant do? And that one? Well what would happen if you did this..." Then, after playing one level, got completely addicted. This game is an example of what all independent developers should strive for in terms of quality production values and entertainment. Highly recommended.… Expand
  5. BrumbekB
    Jun 2, 2009
    10
    Pure genius, hilarious, addictive. It's so worth $10 US on Steam. I estimate I'll put 20 hours into this, which equates to $0.50 per hour, which is a very, very fine deal. I've never played a PopCap game before because they seemed quaint and simplistic, but PvZ is so funny and super-clever and is just as entertaining as the big names like Fallout 3, Empire Total War, ect. Pure genius, hilarious, addictive. It's so worth $10 US on Steam. I estimate I'll put 20 hours into this, which equates to $0.50 per hour, which is a very, very fine deal. I've never played a PopCap game before because they seemed quaint and simplistic, but PvZ is so funny and super-clever and is just as entertaining as the big names like Fallout 3, Empire Total War, ect. It truly is the pinnacle of this genre. To summarize: I will never forget the wonderfully charming experience PvZ has provided, and I'm a better person for it, haha. Also, I'm as "hardcore" as you get with a very powerful computer but I… Expand
  6. ML
    Jul 10, 2009
    9
    PopCap has the reputation of taking simple and/or old games and piling tons and tons of polish on them producing, in most cases, the gold standard in that genre. Plants vs. Zombies continues in that tradition hands down by turning Tower Defense games into hours and hours of fun that can be enjoyed by young, old, and all ages in between. I feel I can't give it 10/10 though simply PopCap has the reputation of taking simple and/or old games and piling tons and tons of polish on them producing, in most cases, the gold standard in that genre. Plants vs. Zombies continues in that tradition hands down by turning Tower Defense games into hours and hours of fun that can be enjoyed by young, old, and all ages in between. I feel I can't give it 10/10 though simply because of the appalling step backwards PopCap took in regards to its graphics for this release. PvZ plays at 800x600. That's it. Nothing larger, nothing smaller. Contrast this to previous PopCap games such as Bejeweled Twist that plays at ANY resolution by using a vector graphics engine. PopCap is capable of producing games that run at multiple resolutions and simply failed to for this release. For this, it loses a mark and gets a 9.… Expand
  7. JamesA
    Jul 4, 2009
    10
    those people who gave this game 0 (or gave it a low score) just because it doesn't great graphic are the worst critics/gamers ever. A game isn't about graphics, it's about game play and replay value. This game is addictive and challenging, as well as being fun. For $20, this game is worth it! Mini-games are fun and have great concept, adventure mode is challenging to the those people who gave this game 0 (or gave it a low score) just because it doesn't great graphic are the worst critics/gamers ever. A game isn't about graphics, it's about game play and replay value. This game is addictive and challenging, as well as being fun. For $20, this game is worth it! Mini-games are fun and have great concept, adventure mode is challenging to the mind, the garden is great. Honestly, if you don't like game because of the game play, I'm fine with but what I'm not okay is when you don't like game just because it's graphics. It's just a bad excuse to hate the game. Anyway, buy this game if you like tower defense or strategy, then get it, it's worth every cent you spent.… Expand
  8. MilesP
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    This game is great! It's incredibly creative, and makes it easy to play for those inexperienced or lacking a newer computer (for playing graphics heavy games, which this is not) and is still challenging for the average gamer. I played this game straight and no other for a whole two weeks- and then got my nephew hooked on it when I was done. He shared the same opinion (but theres not This game is great! It's incredibly creative, and makes it easy to play for those inexperienced or lacking a newer computer (for playing graphics heavy games, which this is not) and is still challenging for the average gamer. I played this game straight and no other for a whole two weeks- and then got my nephew hooked on it when I was done. He shared the same opinion (but theres not much age difference between us). And as such I am ashamed that so many people here are picky about the graphics, since when has any game EVER revolved around graphics? Who here has played Super Mario 64? It was an incredible game too, but sharper graphics at the time were available. Don't give bad reviews just because of graphics.… Expand
  9. GrahamHudson
    Aug 23, 2009
    10
    A must-have game for anyone who likes PC games. This is the best combination of humour, challenge, addiction and variety that I have ever seen in a game. If you own a laptop/netbook, buy this game as it will be your travel companion for all those long trips. I've sunk more than 50 hours of game play into this and I still have lots of achievements to get.
  10. Mr.Toad
    Jan 13, 2010
    9
    Hideously addictive. Of course, once you've finished everything it loses a bit of freshness, but it took me about 50 hours of playing it non-stop until it felt a bit repetitive. The humor is one of it's greatest qualities, and for only 7£ it's a clear winner. So sure, it might be an arcade game that can fit on an Iphone, and so what? It's an excellent example Hideously addictive. Of course, once you've finished everything it loses a bit of freshness, but it took me about 50 hours of playing it non-stop until it felt a bit repetitive. The humor is one of it's greatest qualities, and for only 7£ it's a clear winner. So sure, it might be an arcade game that can fit on an Iphone, and so what? It's an excellent example that you don't need a complex story and expensive graphics to make a good game. Good games are fun, entertaining, and occasionnaly make you think. Plants vs. Zombies has it all.… Expand
  11. RafalB
    Nov 28, 2009
    9
    Very funny and crazy game. Zombies are funny (espetiality reaction after ate a garlic :D), too. Good graphic, good voices and good resolution (PvZ running on my PC - 1 GHz, 512 DDR and 256 MB DDR2 video card - this game have only one year!).9 because sometimes game is boring or too dificult. Also very good minigames (puzzle, aquarium etc).
  12. DE
    Nov 6, 2009
    8
    Great game, but for the PC? I think it would be better on a handheld like the Nintendo DS. It's not like we all want to load up the computer everytime we want to play. But if it was on a portable, you could easily just pick up, play, and then stop later. And that's not the only reason it gets an 8 instead of 10. It's realy easy. For some, that's a plus. But I prefer Great game, but for the PC? I think it would be better on a handheld like the Nintendo DS. It's not like we all want to load up the computer everytime we want to play. But if it was on a portable, you could easily just pick up, play, and then stop later. And that's not the only reason it gets an 8 instead of 10. It's realy easy. For some, that's a plus. But I prefer challenging games. It's also missing important things like multiple profiles and other settings. Overall... The game is TOO GOOD for a free flash game, but TOO SIMPLE for a $20 game. Maybe if you can find it on ebay or another website for cheaper. Then I guess go for it.… Expand
  13. cecilea
    Dec 16, 2009
    10
    very good game : simple, fun, creative, and really addictive (dont ask me why : you'll become !!!) Now, coming back home after work, in the car i ask myself : how will i kill zombies tonight ? stress and cooperation with left 4 dead, or fun and laugh by using mushroom ?... depends of my day and my boss ;-) at 10
  14. K.G.
    Dec 23, 2009
    10
    Amazing. Simply put. Amazing. If you illegaly downloaded or pirated this game for free... you realy need to go buy the real thing. Pop Cap deserveds this one.
  15. AlbertoM
    Dec 27, 2009
    9
    One of the funniest and crazyest game ever!!!! A must!!!
  16. AlexB
    Dec 28, 2009
    10
    Been playing it for 3 days straight. Highly addictive. Very original.
  17. MattS
    Dec 7, 2009
    10
    My first and only 10...and with good reason. Steam tells me I have put over 300 hours of my life into this simple little game since May and yet I completed the main game in a couple of weekends. Where has all the time gone? Into puzzles and challenges and playing through the main game again and the Zen Garden...and playing through the main game again...the replay here is beyond My first and only 10...and with good reason. Steam tells me I have put over 300 hours of my life into this simple little game since May and yet I completed the main game in a couple of weekends. Where has all the time gone? Into puzzles and challenges and playing through the main game again and the Zen Garden...and playing through the main game again...the replay here is beyond comparison. I haven't been this engaged since the original Civilization and like Civ watched so much of my life vanish as I stared at my PC screen. If you haven't bought this game, shame on you. Now go get it before I send you to time out...you can thank me later.… Expand
  18. DanE
    May 11, 2009
    10
    For the price you arent going to find many other games of this caliber. PopCap has really stepped it up a notch in the game design of this robust and highly polished treasure. Its a whole new take on the "Tower Defense" game style adding strategy, planning, a high level of choice, as well an an incredible amount of fun feel. The amount of longevity is amazing as well, allowing you to For the price you arent going to find many other games of this caliber. PopCap has really stepped it up a notch in the game design of this robust and highly polished treasure. Its a whole new take on the "Tower Defense" game style adding strategy, planning, a high level of choice, as well an an incredible amount of fun feel. The amount of longevity is amazing as well, allowing you to continue to challenge yourself with additional play modes and mini-games long after you complete the main story mode. A new bar has been set for the casual category.… Expand
  19. MichaelG
    May 11, 2009
    10
    I'm helplessly addicted! for only $9.99, this game is so worth it. It has allot of replay value and extra challenges to keep you playing, with many funny bits mixed in too. GREAT music video after credits!!
  20. DominickC
    May 15, 2009
    7
    Rather disgusted at how many people are being so harsh on this game due to it's graphics. You call yourselves gamers? Pathetic. The game itself is a basic tower defense with a rather silly concept, weeds and flowers defending your home from the undead menace. There are some twists along the way like zombies that only one kind of plant can damage, plants that instantly kill zombies Rather disgusted at how many people are being so harsh on this game due to it's graphics. You call yourselves gamers? Pathetic. The game itself is a basic tower defense with a rather silly concept, weeds and flowers defending your home from the undead menace. There are some twists along the way like zombies that only one kind of plant can damage, plants that instantly kill zombies but are then rendered useless, and the field itself being altered to force you into building a different kind of defense (day becoming night so you only recieve your resource from plants that produce it). All and all it's a simple, but fun game, expecting as much from Pop Cap. If I had to nit pick I would say my greatest complaint is that the music gets old, fast. If you like this kind of game, for 10 bucks, it's a great deal and a good game. If you're more into the action and fast paced games, this likely won't appeal to you.… Expand
  21. GavanB
    May 16, 2009
    10
    This game elevates the tower defense genre to a new height. The innovations are subtle, and invisible to most players, but they transform tower defense into a much more interactive, chaotic, and fun gameplay experience. There are 3 major innovations in this game that much improve the Tower Defense genre, and are sure to become the new standard for games to come. The first innovation, This game elevates the tower defense genre to a new height. The innovations are subtle, and invisible to most players, but they transform tower defense into a much more interactive, chaotic, and fun gameplay experience. There are 3 major innovations in this game that much improve the Tower Defense genre, and are sure to become the new standard for games to come. The first innovation, which is an old concept, is income (sunlight) is gained through manual collection (clicking), from player built resource generators (sunflowers). These sunflowers can be compared to the concept of a mine in BFME2 or warcraft 3. The difference is the player must physically click on the resource to obtain it. This adds an element of mass chaos, because the more sunflowers you have the more time you will have to spend collecting those resources. Which is easy, until there are 30 zombies destroying your beautifully structured layout. You are then forced to decide where to focus your energies... your income or killing your attackers. These 2 stream of player thought greatly increase both strategy, and gameplay. Compared to previous TD games, who's gameplay consists merely of Build and Watch. Collecting sunlight also gives the player a sense that he is working for his money. Excellent. The second innovation is the grid system! In previous TD games, enemies spawn from 1 or 2 holes that the enemies puke out of and follow your contructed maze of buildings towards their final destination. In PvZ, all the enemies invade in a single direction, on a 5X8 grid. In TD terms, there are 5 lanes. So what? Well, this forces a player to distribute his defenses over 5 lanes. Heavily fortifying 1 lane is pointless. The final major innovation, is the purpose of the game itself. In other tower defense games, you are essentially trying to stop a mass of invading units from reaching a destination. In PvZ, your buildings act as armour for your house. The zombies do not bypass your buildings, they immediately start attacking them. This may sound like a minor difference, but it completely changes the way you think about the game. Your plants are not these towers attempting to try to stop invaders, they are UNITS! When you lose one, you hate it. Especially because they are so cute. On top of all this amazing innovation, the game is funny. No, actually it's hilarious. It isn't funny in a nerdy videogame funny kind of way. It is funny in a clever, Shawn of the Dead kind of way. It is one of the only games in my 20+ years experience of being a hardcore gamer that has actually made me laugh out loud FOR REAL on many occasions. I suggest everyone and their dog, even people who hate existing tower defense games (myself), try this game immediately.… Expand
  22. AdamR
    May 16, 2009
    10
    Popcaps Magnum Opus. Start with the simple, addicting premise and quality base game play we have come to expect from Popcap. Now, add layers of challenge and Strategy to keep even experienced players busy, while remaining somewhat forgiving for the more casual experience. All the plants are interesting and balanced, and each new zombie adds unique challenges. They could have stopped Popcaps Magnum Opus. Start with the simple, addicting premise and quality base game play we have come to expect from Popcap. Now, add layers of challenge and Strategy to keep even experienced players busy, while remaining somewhat forgiving for the more casual experience. All the plants are interesting and balanced, and each new zombie adds unique challenges. They could have stopped there, and been a great game...but then did not stop there. Add in Day and Night, pool versus no pool, and the roof, each subset adding its own unique strategy, play style, and plants, as well as the second play through forcing you to think up new strategies. Throw in a bunch of varied in game mini games, just frequent enough to keep you interested, just spaced enough to not feel intrusive, with a varied level of difficulty, which often times rewards your skill so far. Add in 2 Puzzle modes which build on the strategies even more, and look at the game from an entirely different perspective. Throw in a HUGE number of mini games, all vastly different. Throw in Survival to test your raw talent. Then the Zen garden, not only a cute little side game, but also opening up options in the store, which gives you a large amount of options for customization, and further revising your strategies. Tie this all together in a package polished to a mirror sheen, jam packed with some of the most charming, irreverent humor since Portal. Even the end credits rival Portal. I don't even have to hesitate before I give Plants versus Zombies the award for best casual game of all time. If you want to play a casual game, buy PvZ, or else there's something seriously wrong with you. Oh, and if you haven't bought it yet, the game is $20 on Popcaps site, and $9.99 on Steam.… Expand
  23. BrianT
    May 18, 2009
    9
    PopCap is evil. They take a standard idea and hone it to a razor's edge. This game is so addictive and engrossing you will lose all conception of the passage of time. Even when you think you have finished the game, you have not. After completing the main game if you re-enter it the difficulty will be increased by the game having chosen some of your plants for you. Making you try new PopCap is evil. They take a standard idea and hone it to a razor's edge. This game is so addictive and engrossing you will lose all conception of the passage of time. Even when you think you have finished the game, you have not. After completing the main game if you re-enter it the difficulty will be increased by the game having chosen some of your plants for you. Making you try new ways of playing. There so many additional pieces to this game they can't be covered in this space. Give the game a try you will be pleasantly surprised.… Expand
  24. TimH
    May 21, 2009
    10
    A fun and great play. For only $9.99 and the amount of play time you get has to be the best buy of the the year and just a fun laid back game. enjoyed every min. of the game. and really loved the Puzzle Games. Buy This Game!
  25. TomK
    Jun 27, 2009
    10
    Whilst starting at a slow pace, the game soon picks up to an alarming, adrenaline-filled masterpiece. The music, animation and simplistic graphics are just wonderful. It is horrifically addictive. I've just got this at the same time as Crysis and I can quite easily say I much prefer PvZ. I've argued with my parents quite a lot recently because I've stayed glued to my seat Whilst starting at a slow pace, the game soon picks up to an alarming, adrenaline-filled masterpiece. The music, animation and simplistic graphics are just wonderful. It is horrifically addictive. I've just got this at the same time as Crysis and I can quite easily say I much prefer PvZ. I've argued with my parents quite a lot recently because I've stayed glued to my seat gaping at this sparkling diamond of a game. I can wholeheartedly say to BUY THIS GAME!… Expand
  26. [anonymous]
    Dec 11, 2009
    10
    Easy to learn, fun to play, lots of extras and good replayability. At least 50hrs of quality gameplay.
  27. yahtzee
    Dec 18, 2009
    9
    this is probably on my top 5 games ever it is clever and probably the funniest game since portal. now with henry m.you gave it zero because you bought a computer just to play this game? no you gave it a zero because it is a game that you bought adter you got your computer and you're pissed off because it doesn't have bump mapping and such but seriously you didn't even give this is probably on my top 5 games ever it is clever and probably the funniest game since portal. now with henry m.you gave it zero because you bought a computer just to play this game? no you gave it a zero because it is a game that you bought adter you got your computer and you're pissed off because it doesn't have bump mapping and such but seriously you didn't even give a reason from the actual game. so just stop it.… Expand
  28. dakottab
    Dec 29, 2009
    10
    this game is awsome im on the last part of the roof i found the boss it is a big zombie bigger then ever it as a little guy on his back and a big telephone post
  29. Hunnybee2
    Aug 12, 2010
    9
    Plants vs. Zombies is a triumph for PopCap studios. From the first level of the game I was hooked, and building my plant defenses to impede the zombies from destroying my home was a blast. There are also numerous un-lockables that range from new plants to mini games, to laugh-out-loud notes from the zombies. The mini-games are fun, and the game can be challenging at times. The negativesPlants vs. Zombies is a triumph for PopCap studios. From the first level of the game I was hooked, and building my plant defenses to impede the zombies from destroying my home was a blast. There are also numerous un-lockables that range from new plants to mini games, to laugh-out-loud notes from the zombies. The mini-games are fun, and the game can be challenging at times. The negatives for this game is that some levels can be very easy, and I often found my self using the same tactics for the entire game. There are also items in the shop that are very expensive, and it was very hard to earn enough money for most of them before the main story was over. I was very happy I had the chance to play this game, the humor, gameplay, and the several unlocks make this game a blast and easy to enjoy.… Expand
  30. JudgeMental
    Sep 12, 2010
    9
    A wonderful little tower defense game, with enough innovation to distinguish it from a crowded field. The fact that it requires strategy instead of tower spamming makes it a special treat for "hardcore tower defense fans" like myself.
Page:

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2009
10
#10 Most Discussed PC Game of 2009
18
#18 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. Hardcore Gamer
    80
    Plants vs. Zombies is a huge game with a great sense of humor, and while it tends to play itself once a strategy is completed and the field of fire constructed, putting it all together and experimenting with the possibilities stays fun for a long, long time. [Summer 2009]
  2. AceGamez
    100
    Plants vs Zombies is what casual gaming is really all about; it's intuitive, easy to start and stop at any time, and has a tremendous variety of gameplay modes.
  3. Everyeye.it
    80
    Pop Cap realizes another masterpiece. Plants Vs. Zombies re-invents tower defense game and offer a great number of minigames and other activities.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »