Software:Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted

From HandWiki
Short description: 2025 video game

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
The cover art of Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted
Developer(s)PopCap Games
The Lost Pixels
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Composer(s)Laura Shigihara
The String Revolution[lower-alpha 1]
SeriesPlants vs. Zombies
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
ReleaseOctober 23, 2025
Genre(s)Tower defense, strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a 2025 tower defense video game developed by PopCap Seattle, The Lost Pixels,[lower-alpha 2] and published by Electronic Arts. It is a remaster of the 2009 game Plants vs. Zombies, introducing upscaled graphics and new additional content.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted was released for video game consoles and personal computers on October 23, 2025. It received generally positive reviews from critics, but was criticized by the original game's development team for including fabricated concept art and for mishandling the soundtrack.

Gameplay

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted follows the same gameplay of the original Plants vs. Zombies game with very minor changes. It is a lane-based tower defense game where the player has to defend their home from incoming zombies.[1] The player can place various plants by spending "sun", the game's currency during levels. Sun icons can be collected from the sky during daytime and from sun-producing plants such as sunflowers. Some plants can attack zombies while some can act as defense.[citation needed]

If all zombies are defeated in a level, the player wins. If a zombie reaches the left side of the line, a lawn mower—or other similar, relevant object—will activate and clear the row of any zombies, but if the lawn mower has already been used, and another zombie crosses, the game is over.[2]

Replanted features

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted contains up to 4K upscaled graphics and widescreen support, in comparison to the original game's static 800x600 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio. Replanted now has full controller support and features local multiplayer modes ported from the original game's seventh generation console ports: co-op, where two players play together with assigned roles; and Versus, where one plays as the plants and the other as the zombies.[3][4] No online multiplayer is planned, however support for Steam Remote Play was later added in a patch as an alternative for Windows users.[5]

Replanted also contains quality-of-life features. Gameplay can now be sped up by the player's will, with a max speed increase of 2.5x. Sun icons can now be mass collected using the "Sun Magnet." On Windows, players can quick-select plants from their seed bank using the number keys as hotkeys.[citation needed]

Replanted also introduces two new additional game modes. "Cloudy Day" is a set of non-linear levels in the Adventure campaign. These levels only allow Sunflowers as sun-producing plants. During these levels, the amount of sun dropped from the sky and produced by plants are lowered. At certain times, rain clouds will move over the lawn. While these clouds are present, sun will stop appearing from the sky and from Sunflowers. However, all plants will cost around half their original price and have significantly faster recharge times. "R.I.P. Mode" is a harder difficulty of the Adventure campaign, but the player is forced back to the beginning if they lose a single level.[6]

Replanted additionally features "bonus levels" included as non-linear levels in the Adventure campaign. These include 10 new minigames that were previously unused in the original game.[lower-alpha 3] In a later update, Replanted added "Survival: Endless" levels to all five areas of the game instead of just the daytime pool.[6]

Development

The existence of a Plants vs. Zombies remaster was revealed in an interview with Janet Robin from The String Revolution, who they did a vinyl collaboration with the franchise in 2025 with Iam8bit.[7] Janet stated that EA commissioned them to record an acoustic composition of the track "Crazy Dave" to be used for an "anniversary edition" of the game.[8] The song would be additionally be a tribute to the song "Bad Guy", which artist Billie Eilish has stated to be somewhat similar to the track.[9]

Plants vs. Zombies Replanted was officially announced in a Nintendo Direct presentation in late July 2025[10]. As an incentive, people who pre-ordered the game are given an in-game retro-styled skin of the Peashooter.[4][11] Replanted was showcased at PAX West on August 25, 2025.[12][13]

A dev diary for Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted was uploaded to YouTube on October 17, 2025. The video features Nick Reinhart, Jake Neri, and Matt Townsend.[14] A developer panel for the game was available during TwitchCon 2025.[citation needed]

Release

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted was released for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, and personal computers on October 23, 2025.[15] It was leaked onto the internet on October 17, 2025. Players discovered multiple software bugs,[16] and multiple assets alleged to be upscaled by generative artificial intelligence were found,[17] leading to backlash.[18] Numerous bugs were fixed in a day-one patch on October 23, 2025.[19]

Reception

Critical response

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 75/100[20]
(XBSX) 73/100[21]
(PS5) 76/100[22]
(NS2) 75/100[23]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Game Informer8/10[1]
IGN7/10[24]
Nintendo LifeStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[27]
Nintendo World Report8/10[25]
Shacknews9/10[3]

The versions of Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic, while the Xbox Series X version received "mixed or average" reviews.[20][21][22][23] According to OpenCritic, 57% of critics recommended it.[26]

IGN's Alessandro Fillari called it "a good way to get re-acquainted with one of the quirkiest puzzle-strategy games of the 2000s", while acknowledging its questionable decisions.[24] Shacknews' David Craddock said it was his favorite version of Plants vs. Zombies, stating, "it packs everything fans loved about the original game, plus lots more" while justifying its US$20 price.[3] The Verge described Replanted as "a time capsule from a simpler, happier time".[28] Kyle Hilliard from Game Informer praised its faithfulness, complimenting the new animations and character designs that did not alter its memorability.[1]

Noah Hunter for Final Weapon described the remake as solid, though criticized the lack of certain features and containing bugs that gate it from being excellent.[29] Ben Lyons from Gamereactor stated Replanted is the same as the original overall, despite believing the yes|yes|GB|}}£18 price is not justified.[30]

Original developers

Rich Werner, the original game's character designer, claims that some concept art contained in the game, speculated to be for Software:Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare (2014), did not originate from the original's development.[17] Werner also stated that concept art for the Disco Zombie is fabricated; the design for the Disco Zombie was created after the estate of Michael Jackson requested the original Dancing Zombie, who resembles Michael Jackson from his Thriller music video, be removed from the game.[31]

On October 19, 2026, composer Laura Shigihara expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of dynamic music in the game.[32] Dynamic music would later be implemented in a later patch.[33]

In an interview featuring Rich Werner and user interface designer Matt Holmberg on April 29, 2026, Werner revealed that he and Shigihara were contacted by EA to make a music video to market Replanted. However, after the game was leaked, Werner's response on social media led EA to cancel the collaboration.[34][original research?]

Notes

  1. ↑ The String Revolution was commissioned to make a track intended for Replanted, but was reassigned to a bonus track in a Plants vs. Zombies 2xLP vinyl collaboration with Iam8bit.[citation needed]
  2. ↑ The Lost Pixels is a Canadian independent game developer, consisting of former members of Electronic Arts.[citation needed]
  3. ↑ The bonus levels can be played in the original game by accessing a hidden "Limbo" page which included these levels. This is the first time these levels are officially used.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hilliard, Kyle (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review - A Nostalgic Garden Stroll". https://gameinformer.com/review/plants-vs-zombies-replanted/a-nostalgic-garden-stroll. 
  2. ↑ Watts, Steve (October 24, 2025). "Plants Vs. Zombies: Replanted Review - Classic Strategy Rises From The Dead" (in en-US). Fandom, Inc.. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-review-classic-strategy-rises-from-the-dead/1900-6418430/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Craddock, David (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted review: All the brains you can eat" (in en). https://www.shacknews.com/article/146436/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-review-score. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chalk, Andy (July 31, 2025). "Zombies are on the lawn again: Plants vs. Zombies is coming back with a 'Replanted' remaster featuring the original campaign plus new game modes, co-op and player-versus-player support, and more" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/zombies-are-on-the-lawn-again-plants-vs-zombies-is-coming-back-with-a-replanted-remaster-featuring-the-original-campaign-plus-new-game-modes-co-op-and-pvp-support-and-more/. 
  5. ↑ Lucas, James (October 11, 2025). "Exclusive: PopCap Has No Plans For Online Co-Op And PvP In Plants Vs. Zombies: Replanted" (in en). https://www.thegamer.com/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-online-co-op-pvp-not-happening-popcap-exclusive/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Glover, Stuart (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted – Gameplay Details, and Every Big Change Explained" (in en-US). https://gamingbolt.com/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-gameplay-details-and-every-big-change-explained. 
  7. ↑ Cotts, Josh (2025-06-17). "Why the Plants vs. Zombies Soundtrack Hits Differently on Vinyl" (in en). https://gamerant.com/plants-vs-zombies-soundtrack-vinyl-nostalgia/. 
  8. ↑ "IN THE CHAIR WITH... The String Revolution | EP #57 |…". https://www.coyotemusic.com/videos/in-the-chair-with-the-string-revolution-ep-57-cupchairs-com. 
  9. ↑ "Billie Eilish's Bad Guy Has A Surprising Plants Vs. Zombies Connection" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/billie-eilishs-bad-guy-has-a-surprising-plants-vs/1100-6473658/. 
  10. ↑ "Plants vs Zombies Replanted Preview – A Faithful 4K Remaster with New Features" (in en-US). September 22, 2025. https://monstervine.com/2025/09/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-preview/. 
  11. ↑ Berthelson, Brandy (September 23, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies Replanted Hands-On Preview" (in en). https://www.restart.run/articles/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-hands-on-preview. 
  12. ↑ "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted: Remastering a Classic, New Modes, Co-Op, and Zero Microtransactions". https://www.geeksvsgeeks.com/2025/08/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-remastering.html. 
  13. ↑ Eileen, Dayna (August 30, 2025). "PAX West 2025—Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Preview—Touch Grass in 4K" (in en-CA). https://www.cgmagonline.com/articles/previews/pax-west-2025-plants-vs-zombies-replanted/. 
  14. ↑ Plants vs. Zombies (October 16, 2025). Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted™ Dev Diary. Retrieved May 29, 2026 – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ Campbell, Evan (July 31, 2025). "Plants Vs. Zombies Replanted Announced For Switch Systems, Coming In October" (in en-US). Fandom, Inc.. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-announced-for-switch-systems-coming-in-october/1100-6533583/. 
  16. ↑ Shihab, Tahmid (October 18, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies Replanted Gameplay Leaks Reveal Massive Performance Issues". https://www.altchar.com/game-news/plants-vs.-zombies-replanted-gameplay-leaks-reveal-massive-performance-issues-a4SFi3c8aNpx. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Barker, Sammy (October 18, 2025). "There Are Big Concerns About Plants vs Zombies' PS5, PS4 Re-Release" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/10/there-are-big-concerns-about-plants-vs-zombies-ps5-ps4-re-release. 
  18. ↑ Chalk, Andy (October 24, 2025). "Amidst allegations of AI art and complaints about the music, Plants vs. Zombies fans are not happy with the remaster" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/amidst-allegations-of-ai-art-and-complaints-about-the-music-plants-vs-zombies-fans-are-not-happy-with-the-remaster/. 
  19. ↑ Doolan, Liam (October 26, 2025). "Plants Vs. Zombies: Replanted Has Been Updated, Here Are The Full Patch Notes" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-has-been-updated-here-are-the-full-patch-notes. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted critic reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/plants-vs-zombies-replanted/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted critic reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/plants-vs-zombies-replanted/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted critic reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/plants-vs-zombies-replanted/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted critic reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/plants-vs-zombies-replanted/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch-2. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Fillari, Alessandro (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-review. 
  25. ↑ DeWitte, Joel A.; Rudek, Jordan (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review - Review". Nintendo World Report. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/71477/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-switch-2-review. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Reviews". Valnet. https://opencritic.com/game/19029/plants-vs-zombies-replanted. 
  27. ↑ Ransbottom, Nick (November 26, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review". Nintendo Life. https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch-2/plants-vs-zombies-replanted. 
  28. ↑ Webster, Andrew (October 22, 2025). "The Plants vs. Zombies remaster is a sad reminder of what could have been" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/games/803795/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-remaster-switch-pc-ps5-xbox. 
  29. ↑ Hunter, Noah (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review - Digging Up Nostalgia" (in en-US). https://finalweapon.net/2025/10/22/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-review/. 
  30. ↑ Lyons, Ben (October 22, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted - Review" (in en). https://www.gamereactor.eu/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-1621973/. 
  31. ↑ "Michael Jackson's estate upset by moonwalking zombie" (in en). 2010-07-28. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38438062. 
  32. ↑ "Laura Shigihara (鴫原ローラ ) 🍰🧋 (@supershigi) on X" (in en). X (formerly Twitter). https://x.com/supershigi/status/1979687907960197428. 
  33. ↑ Doolan, Liam (November 8, 2025). "Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Rolls Out More Updates, Here Are The Full Patch Notes" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/11/plants-vs-zombies-replanted-rolls-out-more-updates-here-are-the-full-patch-notes. 
  34. ↑ The Unofficial PopCap PopCast (April 29, 2026). Plants vs. Zombies Artists: Matt & Rich - Part 2 (Video). Retrieved May 29, 2026 – via YouTube.



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Plants_vs._Zombies:_Replanted&oldid=4397553"