Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

 Xbox One
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 64 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 64
  3. Negative: 0 out of 64
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  1. Metro GameCentral
    Feb 24, 2016
    70
    It feels more like an expansion than a sequel, and misses some easy opportunities to improve on the original, but this is still the best family-friendly shooter outside of Splatoon.
  2. Shacknews
    Feb 23, 2016
    70
    Maybe the same solid foundation with more robust content is all Garden Warfare 2 needs to be. The package feels more whole and satisfying, and while that may dampen my thoughts on the first game a bit, it's really only by comparison to this one. If Garden Warfare was the seed, this sequel is the harvest.
  3. The Escapist
    Feb 22, 2016
    70
    With Garden Warfare 2, PopCap builds upon the success of the original Garden Warfare by adding much needed meat to its bare bones in the form a new solo campaign and 6 new character classes, but fails to evolve the actual gameplay in any meaningful way.
  5. Game Revolution
    Feb 19, 2016
    70
    Bottom line: If you dug the original this is probably right up your alley.
  6. GameSpot
    Feb 18, 2016
    70
    With more generous pacing and worthwhile single-player content, Garden Warfare 2 would have been a truly outstanding game, but even without those things, it's a robust shooter with an astounding level of mechanical diversity that all but guarantees you'll encounter something new every round you play.
  7. Gaming Nexus
    Apr 4, 2016
    65
    Garden Warfare 2 will be fun for those who enjoy the tower defense genre. Anyone else will want to stay away from this game that suffers from lackluster controls in third person shooting and a missed opportunity to create a much larger world to explore.
  8. Arcade Sushi
    Feb 18, 2016
    60
    Garden Warfare 2 does nothing new outside of those new maps and the hub area, which really isn’t that much. This sequel feels like a “complete edition” of the first Garden Warfare only with different maps. The weak campaign and lackluster multiplayer modes outside of Gnome Bomb aren’t doing it any favors either.
  9. games(TM)
    Apr 12, 2016
    50
    Despite its pretty environments and swollen production value, Garden Warfare 2 feels a lot like its smartphone cousins, less a videogame, in the noble sense, and more a tar pit, swallowing down your time and providing little in return but useless virtual tat.
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  1. Ars Technica
    Feb 19, 2016
    GW2 has a lot of value as an online video game to play with kids and kids-at-heart. But it might be even more valuable in a different way: as an anthropological document of what happens to a great studio like Popcap after a $1.3 billion buyout. As a result, GW2 is probably a lot more fascinating than anybody at EA ever intended it to be.
  2. Polygon
    Feb 18, 2016
    If Garden Warfare was an attempt to make a multiplayer only shooter that just about anyone could enjoy, Garden Warfare 2 takes that a step farther by removing the original's budget-priced compromises. Making the original Popcap concept into a shooter isn't novel anymore, and I hope that the developers pay attention to the game's potential balance challenges over time to make sure that "asymmetric" doesn't become "lopsided." But Garden Warfare 2 stands strong on its own, and with friends.

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
30
#30 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
35
#35 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 149
  3. Negative: 15 out of 149
  1. Chassel
    Feb 23, 2016
    10
    An absolute blast to play. Love the ability to play splitscreen on the couch with friends, and being able to play any mode with or against anyAn absolute blast to play. Love the ability to play splitscreen on the couch with friends, and being able to play any mode with or against any set up of AI was a huge plus for me. Characters are wacky, maps are gorgeous whats not to love!… Full Review »
  2. Troublewalking
    Feb 24, 2016
    8
    If you loved the first PvZ:GW you will love this one. This one has everything you loved about the first one, but adds 3 (6 total) moreIf you loved the first PvZ:GW you will love this one. This one has everything you loved about the first one, but adds 3 (6 total) more characters for both sides. It also steps up solo play. So you always have something to do.

    My son loves the first one and has loved this one so far also. I'm more of a casual shooter fan, and I really love the things EA did to drag the more casual players into the carnage. It has some single player campaigns. Though not huge they are fun for casuals. They even added a thing where you can solo with 3 AI. Which I love. They added a "backyard" with this staging area "base" for the players. The backyard is a stalemate park between both factions bases and is a fight that just keeps revving up (including all the bosses). I did this split screen with my son. We really enjoyed it. Though right now there isn't much reward for doing it. I have a feeling they will add more quest to it, which will make this an incredible split screen and solo quest area.

    They also made sure your progress in the first one moves with you. Your base has a mailbox and they mail you loyalty rewards, which includes all your unlocks you earned in the first game, a bunch of cards, and a 100k coins for your loyalty. They also added daily quest like MMO's which encourage/pay in game coins for completion. And on top of this you earn stars as you complete missions, which increases your XP earned. This will help everyone open all gear quicker and encourage casuals to get out there and enjoy the PVP.

    I really enjoy the improvements so far. The AI toons are a great addition. Though I wish they added it to Garden Ops (if no one joins). I also would like to see the AI added to split screen or the option to maybe invite your other XB1 friends to split screen GO. They have added the ability to make all matches private or invite only. So that is great if you want to only play with friends/family. If they keep adding daily/Solo quests and add more rewards to the backyard this game has a lot to offer for the price.    … Full Review »
  3. lostsol
    Feb 23, 2018
    0
    I personally completely regret buying this game. Although the game looks good, it is actually very boring, and just felt like endless waste ofI personally completely regret buying this game. Although the game looks good, it is actually very boring, and just felt like endless waste of time. I had to stop after 3 hours wasted on it. I wont even gift it to my little cousins, they deserve better!… Full Review »
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