For those who grew up defending their lawns from waves of quirky undead, Plants vs. Zombies is a name that sparks instant nostalgia. Sixteen years after its original release, PopCap Games has brought the classic back to life with Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, a full remaster that aims to unite everything fans loved about the 2009 hit with a modern polish. It’s a love letter to the past, but one that doesn’t always grow quite right.
A Trip Back to Simpler Times
There’s something special about returning to Plants vs. Zombies. The familiar music, the goofy animations, and the cheery chaos all feel like stepping into a Saturday morning cartoon. PopCap’s remaster captures much of that old magic. You still line up your pea shooters, sunflowers, and walnuts to hold off zombie quarterbacks and “zomboni” drivers, creating that familiar, satisfying rhythm of strategic gardening.
In Replanted, PopCap has gone all in on making this the definitive version of the game. It bundles content from every major release, PC, console, mobile, and even the now-discontinued Chinese version, into one big package. It also revives features that were previously console-exclusive, like local co-op and versus modes, finally letting players enjoy the complete experience on one platform.
Familiar Gameplay, Slightly Modernised
The core gameplay is exactly as addictive as ever. The balance of strategy and quick thinking still holds up, proving why PvZ became such a phenomenon in the first place. What’s new this time around are a few smart quality-of-life improvements, the most useful being the fast-forward feature. You can now speed up matches up to three times, making long stretches of waiting feel snappier and more dynamic.
Image Credit: PopCap
Image Credit: PopCap
There’s also the new Rest in Peace mode, a permadeath twist on the main adventure. One zombie breakthrough, and it’s game over. It’s a neat concept, though a bit undercooked, mainly because players can bring all their unlocked plants from the start, which removes much of the intended challenge.
Another fresh addition, Cloudy Day mode, blends the day and night levels into a single battle that alternates between phases. The sunny phase focuses on resource management, while the cloudy phase lets you build more aggressively at lower costs. It’s an inventive touch that adds some welcome variety to the formula.
Image Credit: PopCap
A Visual Upgrade That Doesn’t Always Shine
Visually, Replanted looks crisp and colourful at first glance, but zoom in and the seams start to show. Some textures and animations look noticeably uneven, character portraits and menus can appear blurry, and certain filters feel oddly dated. These inconsistencies make the remaster feel like it’s caught halfway between old and new.
One particular misstep lies in the remastered ending. The iconic credits sequence, once a standout moment in gaming alongside Portal’s “Still Alive”, is now awkwardly presented as a low-res video playing on a tube TV inside your in-game house. It’s a baffling downgrade that strips away much of the charm and energy that capped off the original.
The Magic Still Lives… Just Barely
Despite its flaws, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted still delivers that cosy, cartoonish fun that made the original so beloved. It’s easy to lose hours once the music kicks in and your lawn fills with colourful chaos. But this remaster also serves as a bittersweet reminder of how much the series has changed over time, and not necessarily for the better.
After EA acquired PopCap in 2011, Plants vs. Zombies branched into everything from shooters (Garden Warfare) to mobile free-to-play spinoffs packed with microtransactions. The creative spark that made the original so memorable gradually faded in pursuit of bigger profits. Replanted, in that sense, feels like a time capsule from a simpler, more imaginative era of gaming.
It may not be the most polished remaster, but it’s still a heartwarming way to revisit a classic — a game that once reminded us that even the smallest sunflower could hold back the apocalypse.
Verdict
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is the most complete version of PopCap’s legendary tower defence game, offering a great mix of nostalgia and new features. However, its uneven visuals and questionable design choices keep it from being a truly definitive edition. It’s worth revisiting for fans and newcomers alike, but don’t expect a full bloom.