Plants vs Zombies on the iPhone

iPhone/iPod Touch Adaptation of 2009 Casual Game of The Year Offers Exclusive Content, Fun and Functionality

(Press Release) – PopCap Games, maker of some of the world’s most popular video games, today announced the launch of Plants vs. Zombies™ for the iPhone™ and iPod® touch. Faithful to the game design of the PC and Mac blockbuster, but adapted specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch – including exclusive features and content – Plants vs. Zombies is available immediately for $2.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

“Plants vs. Zombies for iPhone and iPod touch marks the first adaptation of our wildly popular ‘flower defense’ game to a new platform, and we’re excited at how well it has translated to the iPhone and iPod touch,??? stated Andrew Stein, director of mobile platforms at PopCap Games. “We’ve stayed true to the original computer version with the full-featured gameplay of Adventure mode, and have optimized this adaptation around a seamless touch interface. Plus, we’ve added great content, including the new Quick Play Arena which allows easy replay of any level after completing the Adventure mode, and more than a dozen achievements to reward successful completion of in-game challenges.???

Featuring non-stop comedic action throughout 50 infinitely replayable levels, Plants vs. Zombies challenges you to defend your house from encroaching zombies striving to reach your front door to eat your brains. Choose from an ever-increasing assortment of specialized, zombie-battling plants to slow down, confuse, weaken and ultimately destroy the vegetation-munching undead before they can traverse your yard and reach your front door. Thoughtful selection of plants, frantic use of resources, and clever planting/placement decisions are key to overcoming more than two dozen different kinds of zombies, each with its own combination of “skills” and behaviors. Additional obstacles and challenges in later levels include the setting of the sun (complete with a set of defensive mushrooms which are only usable at night), a creeping fog, and even a swimming pool where the aquatic zombies make their approach!

Features of Plants vs. Zombies for the iPhone and iPod touch include:

- The Quick Play Arena allows easy replay of any level after completing the 50 levels in Adventure mode

-More than a dozen achievements to reward successful completion of in-game challenges

-More than four dozen plants, from cherry bombs and peashooters to melon-pults, wall-nuts and sunflowers

-Dozens of different zombie types, including back-from-the-dead miners, businessmen, football players, and even a zombie bobsled team

-Suburban almanac tracks your progress and provides vital stats on plant and zombie types

-Crazy Dave’s trunk-o’-the-car shop where you can purchase new plants, power-ups, and other zombie-exterminating tools

-New fluid animation technology creates even more visually appealing plants and zippier zombies

-11 original musical pieces that mirror the increasing intensity of the gameplay

Since its release last year, Plants vs. Zombies for the PC and Mac has become one of the most successful franchises in casual game history, selling faster than any previous PopCap title and garnering dozens of PC and casual “game of the year” accolades.

Read into this, Bookworm on DS!

#1 Digital Word Game Comes to Nintendo’s Handheld Gaming Console with New Features and First-Ever Multiplayer Capabilities

(Press Release) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of the world’s most widely played video games, today announced the launch of Bookworm™ for Nintendo DS, a new adaptation of one of PopCap’s most successful franchises and the most popular digital word game in history. The Nintendo DS version of Bookworm is available now at major retail outlets for US $19.95.

“Bookworm has set the gold standard in word games, boasting over 100 million downloads to date across a variety of platforms,??? said Ed Allard, vice president of strategic development at PopCap. “With the Nintendo DS version, we’ve pulled out all the stops to give players even more deep content and specialized features than ever before. These include a Multiplayer mode for the first time ever in the popular Bookworm series that allows users to go head-to-head using one or two cartridges, as well as a library building system that provides exciting new game action for both old and new Bookworm players.???

In Bookworm, to complete each level, players link adjoining letter tiles to build words and feed “Lex.??? They’ll use Reward Tiles and spell Bonus Words to boost their score while overcoming obstacles such as burning tiles that end the game if they’re not used before they reach the bottom of the screen.

In this Nintendo DS adaptation, players will spell their way to a higher rank across three different game modes. Players can link letters in the fast-paced Action mode; if laid-back wordplay is more their style, Classic mode provides plenty of action at their own pace; or for the ultimate challenge, players can compete against friends in the Multiplayer mode. The Multiplayer mode is a new feature offered for the first time in any version of Bookworm, and is played over the DS WirelessCommunications network.

Players will test their vocabulary might with 20 themed Bonus Book Collections and the ability to build out 18 unique library rooms. They can also build their spelling skills and track their progress with in-depth stats and charts. Additionally, all features have been specifically tuned for dual-screen, vertical gameplay, allowing players to hold their DS like an actual book, while enjoying endless challenge and fun.

Key features include:
- Collect up to 20 books and build out 18 library rooms

- Customize game backgrounds with the libraries you’ve built

- Pick up and play — start working wordy wonders in seconds

- Unlimited levels keep players rising up the ranks in the Hall of Fame

- Watch your brain grow with the all-new Lex Ray

- Save high scores and best words for posterity

Peggle Nights available Nov 19 on PSN!

Blockbuster Franchise Delivers Compelling Gameplay and Non-Stop Multiplayer Action

(Press Release) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of broadly appealing video games, today announced it is expanding its blockbuster Peggle™ franchise with Peggle and the Peggle™ Nights add-on for the PlayStation®Network as well as the Peggle Nights content pack for Xbox LIVE® Arcade (XBLA). A cult fan favorite among hardcore gamers and casual players alike, Peggle and the Peggle Nights add-on pack, published by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), can be purchased beginning November 19 from the PlayStation®Store for US $9.99 and US $4.99, respectively. The Peggle Nights content pack for XBLA will be available for download November 18 for 400 Microsoft points (US $5.00).

Since its introduction in February 2007, the Peggle series, inspired by the classic gameplay of pinball and pachinko, has been downloaded more than 60 million times for PC/Web and has garnered more than a dozen awards from leading industry critics. After launching on XBLA earlier this year, Peggle again received top accolades, becoming an instant best-seller with the addition of its wildly popular, multiplayer Peg Party mode.

“Peggle has become a cult gaming phenomenon, blowing away our original expectations for the game,??? stated Ed Allard, vice president of strategic development at PopCap. “With these latest game installments, we’re delivering even more features that appeal to diehard enthusiasts with hours of great gameplay, competitive multiplayer experiences and community elements that the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE communities should really enjoy.???

Peggle and Peggle Nights Add-On Pack for PlayStation Network
The PlayStation Network edition of Peggle brings all the compelling gameplay action of the original PC version, including 55 levels of ball-bouncing madness, 10 unlockable Peggle Masters, Quick Play mode, Duel mode, and 75 Challenge mode levels. For non-stop competitive action, players can choose from two multiplayer options: two-player Duel mode, or Peg Party mode, where up to four players can compete against one another simultaneously.

Peggle Nights, the award-winning follow up to Peggle, transports players into the ‘dream worlds’ of each of the Peggle Masters. With five beautifully rendered and themed levels for each character’s secret dreams and aspirations, Peggle Nights also introduces Marina, an eleventh Peggle Master. The Peggle Nights add-on* for PlayStation Network allows players to enjoy all the levels and challenges in the original PC version of the game and more: 60 levels of Peggle Nights content in the exclusive multiplayer modes; Peggle Nights Adventure mode, including the Nights story; 60 Peggle Nights Challenges; the trophy room; adventure statistics; and three new PlayStation Network trophies.

Additionally, the PlayStation Network versions of Peggle and Peggle Nights offer Remote Play capability and XMB™ support, allowing gamers to stream their own music during gameplay as well as view and play Peggle and Peggle Nights on the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) go system. Players can also take advantage of YouTube integration to upload and share replay videos of their best and wildest shots and scores.

Peggle Nights Content Pack for Xbox LIVE
Peggle Nights is also being offered as premium downloadable content for Peggle on XBLA*, the phenomenally popular game hit launched on Xbox LIVE Arcade last spring. Peggle Nights features all the great gameplay of the original PC version and more, including new Peggle Master, Marina, as well as the ability to battle friends and foes, and compare Peggle prowess in the four-player Peg Party and two-player Duel modes. The game also features 60 Peggle Nights levels for multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and all single player/local modes; the Peggle Nights Adventure mode, including the Nights story; 60 Peggle Nights Challenges; the trophy room; adventure statistics; and three new Xbox achievements.

The Peggle family of games is available across numerous platforms, including PC, Mac, Web, video iPod, iPod® Touch, iPhone™, 650 models of mobile feature phones and smartphones, Nintendo DS, the PlayStation Network, and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

PopCap's Bookworm

(Press Release) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of the world’s most widely played video games, today announced the upcoming launch of two major adaptations of Bookworm™ and two, first-ever video game platform adaptations of Bejeweled Twist™. These new iterations of two of PopCap’s most successful franchises, mark PopCap’s entry into the DSiWare™ market, and its continued support of Nintendo DS™ with all-new, feature-rich versions, fully optimized for the Nintendo systems.

Bookworm will be available for the DSiWare service later this month, followed by Bejeweled Twist for DSiWare in mid-October. Bookworm for DS will launch at retail on December 1, 2009 and Bejeweled Twist for DS will be released at retail in Q1 of 2010.

“We’re bringing serious innovation to Bookworm and Bejeweled Twist – two of our most important game franchises – to deliver unique features and cool new multiplayer capabilities that have been specifically designed for the Nintendo systems,??? said Ed Allard, vice president of strategic development at PopCap. “This Fall, Nintendo DSi Shop will give consumers an immediate jolt of high quality fun and value with titles that feature more great gameplay content than any other downloadable titles available on this platform. We’re following them up with enhanced and expanded, must-have retail versions for the DS that are the most full-featured installments of Bookworm and Bejeweled Twist we’ve ever created.???

Bookworm DSiWare and DS
Bookworm was originally released by PopCap in January of 2005 and has been ported and re-optimized for ten different platforms, boasting over 100 million downloads, and making it the world’s most popular digital word game. Now, for the first time, Bookworm has been adapted for Nintendo DSiWare and Nintendo DS with an array of new features and modes that are exclusively available on DS. The DSiWare version of Bookworm includes the complete Classic mode and has been specifically tuned for dual-screen, vertical use. The DS version offers all of the content that has made Bookworm so popular as well as entirely new gameplay not available anywhere else, including the multiplayer Bookworm Battle mode, 20 all-new Collectible Books, the ability to construct a library based on your game progress, and the all-new “Lex-Ray??? – a fun new way for the game’s hero, “Lex,??? to measure and track your growing spelling and vocabulary prowess.

With both new versions of Bookworm, players whet their appetite for spelling fun in PopCap’s hit word-puzzle game, an immersive title for word game aficionados of all ages and levels. Players link adjoining letter tiles to build words, complete each level and feed “Lex.??? They’ll use Reward Tiles and spell Bonus Words to boost their score.

Bejeweled Twist

Bejeweled Twist DSiWare and DS
Bejeweled Twist was originally released to critical acclaim in October 2008 and these two new versions of Bejeweled Twist are the very first video game platform adaptations of this important franchise. Bejeweled Twist now features the ability to challenge and play other gamers over an ad-hoc wireless connection. Playing on either the DS, or on the Nintendo DSi™ system, this is the first game to allow for interoperable multiplayer gaming between these two platforms.

In Bejeweled Twist, players rotate 2×2 blocks of gems in an effort to create a line of three or more gems of the same type. They don’t have to match every move – instead they can freely rotate gems anywhere on the board, allowing increased strategic freedom to plan combinations, cascades and chains of various matches. With its phenomenal production values, Bejeweled Twist bedazzles players with a wealth of new power-ups and obstacles. New gem types include Flame, Lightning and Fruit gems that produce fiery explosions and other powerful effects; and new obstacles such as Bomb and Locked gems as well as Coal will challenge players as never before. Additionally, a host of new game modes offer vastly different ways to experience Bejeweled Twist.

Bejeweled Twist for DSiWare features the addicting gameplay of Classic and Multiplayer modes, offering infinite replayability. Bejeweled Twist DS is a full-featured version containing even more gameplay action, including three additional game modes: Zen (for a quick stress-busting experience), Blitz (for past-paced action to challenge even the most hardcore players) and Challenge (featuring infinite action and multiple levels of difficulty). This is the first time that Bejeweled Twist has been ported to any video game console.

Peggle Nights should have some great multi play action!

Award-Winning Sequel to Peggle Will Bring Exclusive Multiplayer Features and Great New Gameplay to XBLA Players This Fall in Anticipated Expansion Pack

(Press Release) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of broadly appealing video games, today announced the upcoming launch of Peggle™ Nights on the Xbox LIVE® Arcade (XBLA) online service of Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game console. Tuned specifically for the XBLA player, Peggle Nights is an expansion for the original Peggle (XBLA) and includes all the levels and challenges from the PC and Mac versions of Peggle Nights – along with the ability to play all the new Nights content in the exclusive multiplayer modes found only on XBLA. The Peggle Nights expansion pack will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE this fall.

Peggle Nights is the top-selling follow up to the award-winning game franchise, Peggle, whose XBLA version quickly became a fan favorite of Xbox LIVE Arcade players earlier this year. Peggle Nights will feature all the great gameplay of the original PC version as well as the ability to battle friends and foes, and compare Peggle prowess in the 4-player Peg Party and 2-player Duel modes, the only online multiplayer modes available in any of the many Peggle adaptations to date.

Features in the Peggle Nights expansion pack for XBLA will include:

? 60 new Peggle Nights levels for multiplayer over Xbox LIVE and all single player/local modes
? Peggle Nights Adventure mode (60 levels), including the Nights story
? 60 new Peggle Nights Challenges
? A new Peggle Master, Marina
? Peggle Nights trophy room
? Peggle Nights adventure statistics
? New style shots from Peggle Nights PC (available as title upgrade for all Peggle XBLA players)
? Three new Xbox 360 achievements worth a total of 50 gamerscore, bringing Peggle up to a total of 250 gamerscore.

“The addictive and fun gameplay of the Peggle franchise translates extremely well when tuned for the XBLA platform,??? noted Sukhbir Sidhu, co-creator of Peggle and studio chief at PopCap. “Since launching earlier this year, Peggle for XBLA earned top awards from industry critics while taking full advantage of the XBLA multiplayer format to deliver an incredible gameplay experience. Peggle Nights essentially doubles the size of the Peggle XBLA universe for players everywhere.???

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of “casual games??? — fun, easy-to-learn, irresistible computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 230 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, and Shanghai. Its timeless games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 25 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, consoles, mobile phones and MP3 players.

Crossover Game of the Year Gracefully Shambling onto Store Shelves

(SEATTLE) — PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced that over the past 36 hours, Plants vs. Zombies™ has arrived on store shelves throughout North America. The crossover hit of 2009 and a front-runner for game of the year, Plants vs. Zombies is the fastest-selling game in PopCap’s history, based on its first three months of availability via Web download. Further, the company announced that an iPhone adaptation of Plants vs. Zombies will be arriving in the App Store in late 2009. Plants vs. Zombies is available now for PC and Mac at leading retail chains including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, Apple Stores and Amazon.com at a list price of US$19.95, and will be available at Sam’s Club, OfficeMax and Office Depot in October.

“Plants vs. Zombies sold more briskly in its first 90 days of online availability than any previous game we’ve published, including Bejeweled 2, Bejeweled Twist, Bookworm Adventures and Peggle Nights,??? noted Ben Rotholtz, vice president of Marketing at PopCap. “In fact, our family-friendly zombie game now accounts for nine of the ten biggest-grossing single sales days in PopCap’s ten-year history, which is quite a feat given that the Bejeweled and Zuma franchises have sold more than 40 million units between them.???

Conceived and designed by George Fan (who also created Insaniquarium™), Plants vs. Zombies pits you against legions of invading “fundead??? bent on overwhelming your lawn and making their way to your front door. Players purchase and plant a wide range of lovable mutant flowers, vines, trees and other zombie-combating vegetation to thwart the zombie onslaught. With five different modes of play including several dozen mini-games and puzzles – plus infinitely replayable Adventure and Survival modes, Plants vs. Zombies has attracted a wide following, from 6-year olds to great-grandmothers. Numerous video tributes and highlight reels from fans – as well as the game’s music video, which has been viewed more than 2 million times across the Web – can be found on YouTube.

PopCap today also announced that Plants vs. Zombies is being adapted for the iPhone and iPod touch, and is expected to become available for those devices via App Store launch around the end of this year. No other details of the iPhone/iPod touch adaptation of the game were disclosed. The company has previously acknowledged that Plants vs. Zombies is also being adapted for the Xbox LIVE® Arcade (XBLA) online service of Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game console but has not yet provided a target launch date.

And be sure to read our BusyGamer.com Review of Plants vs. Zombies here!

Check out more about Plants vs. Zombies at www.popcap.com.

Can Zuma's Revenge top the original's infectiousness?

(SEATTLE) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced that Zuma’s Revenge!™, the sequel to the original hit game that has sold 17 million copies worldwide, will be available next month for the PC and Macintosh. Zuma’s Revenge! reinvents the ball-blasting bliss of the original Zuma® with high-resolution graphics, wild new game mechanics, all-new modes and power-ups and much more. Available on September 15 at retail (U.S., PC only) and via download at PopCap.com and key portal partners (PC and Mac), Zuma’s Revenge! will carry a list price of US$19.95. Beginning today, video sneak peeks and other advance information about the new game can be found on PopCap.com.

“The original Zuma has millions of fans around the world,??? said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Creative Director at PopCap, “so there was a lot of pressure when doing the sequel to really deliver something they’d love, without wrecking the classic Zuma gameplay. Zuma’s Revenge! adds a ton of variety to the mix, with over 60 new maps, all new power-up balls like the Laser Frog and Lightning Color Nuke, and a half dozen custom ‘boss battles’ against giant, evil tiki spirits. Plus we’ve added several new modes, including a speedy ‘blitz’-style challenge game and the fearsome Iron Frog gauntlet for the most elite players.???

In Zuma the player takes the role of a fearless ball-shooting frog, exploring ancient temples and ruins. By firing colored spheres into an advancing chain of balls to make matches of three or more, the frog blasts his way through a series of arcade challenges. The sequel brings the player to an all-new setting, the Polynesian paradise of Zhaka Mu, and ups the ante with nearly triple the screen resolution of the original game, cool 3-D particle effects, and support for widescreen monitors. A full list of new features in Zuma’s Revenge! will be available at launch.

Rick Fortin, whose score of 3,384,820 (with 34 extra lives!) in the original Zuma is the highest known, has been beta testing Zuma’s Revenge! and feels the new game lives up to the high standards of the franchise. “From the spectacular visuals and 3-D effects – which work great even on an older PC like mine – to the new game modes such as the maddening (but beatable!) Iron Frog, PopCap has actually improved the game in every respect. I have to say that the wait was well worth it for this game. It’s all that I expected and much more!???

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of “casual games??? — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 230 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, and Shanghai. Its games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 25 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox and DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, mobile phones and MP3 players, and game device manufacturers.

5 million clickin their jewels!

PopCap’s Bejeweled® Blitz Makes 5 Million Facebook Friends During Beta

(SEATTLE) – PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced that Bejeweled® Blitz, the 1-minute version of its mega-hit franchise Bejeweled for Facebook, has officially launched and is now out of beta. Relying entirely on its own merits, the “social??? version of Bejeweled has become a Facebook phenomenon, attracting more than 5 million monthly users after quietly debuting in beta form in late December of 2008. With new users joining at a rapidly increasing rate, Bejeweled Blitz now adds a new friend to the fold every second.

“One-minute Bejeweled was initially an in-house joke,??? said Jason Kapalka, PopCap’s chief creative officer, “because who’d think anyone would play a ‘casual’ game with such a frenzied time limit? But it turned out the one-minute timer actually made the game more accessible, as a bite-size entertainment for people busy doing other things on Facebook.??? John Vechey, PopCap’s head of online and social projects, added, “The social nature of the game felt like the missing link. Playing Bejeweled on your own was always fun, but playing with and against family and friends takes it to another level.???

While PopCap is not providing any details of its future plans for social versions of its other hits such as Peggle™, Zuma®, Bookworm™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and Chuzzle™, the success of Bejeweled Blitz is intriguing. More than 75% of the 5 million monthly active users are female and so far over 1 billion sessions of the game have been served. At this juncture the game, in which players race to score as many points as possible in a 60-second version of the world’s most popular match-3 puzzler, attracts 2 million players daily.

“Social gaming is a catalyst for growth in the games market and in social network services,??? said Billy Pidgeon, video games analyst at Game Changer Research. “Giving consumers more communal and connected ways to enjoy video game content with their ever-growing online networks drives awareness and usage of the game in question while also making the gameplay experience itself richer and more compelling. Accessible and entertaining games on social networks are in effect massively multiplayer experiences that appeal to everyone.???

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of “casual games??? — fun, easy-to-learn, irresistible computer games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 220 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, and Shanghai. Its timeless games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 25 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, consoles, mobile phones and MP3 players.

Plants vs. Zombies: A Busy Gamer 5 of 5

First Glance:
A new take on the tower defense sub-genre, pitting some uncommon plants against brain hungry zombies.

The Short Story:
Grow a garden of destruction to fend off hordes of ghoulish undead. The further into the game you get, the more destructive the plant life becomes but the zombies are no slouches either. You’ll come up against some pretty unique, and tough, versions of the undead in PopCap’s Plants vs. Zombies.

The Score:
PopCap has always been good at creating addictive, easy to learn, Busy Gamer friendly games but I have to say that they’ve outdone themselves with Plants vs. Zombies. Quick rounds are easy to get in, it’s easy to learn as you play through the adventure mode, and exiting to the main menu at any time automatically saves the game for you allowing you to pick up wherever you left off last. Plants vs. Zombies earns itself a flowery, yet spooky, 5 on the Busy Gamer scale.

Body of review:
I’ve always had something of a soft spot for PopCap games. I can’t even count the number of hours I spent playing Bookworm, Chuzzle, or Peggle. But even with that soft spot, I would have to say I was caught off guard by the addictive nature of Plants vs. Zombies.

On the surface, it’s a “tower defense” game, a structured area where you have a limited amount of space to build your defenses to fend off the hordes of brain hungry zombies. Yeah, yeah, everybody is doing games with zombies, I know. Did I mention that the area you’re defending is your own yard and that you’re doing it with some capably destructive, and amusing, plant life? It all adds to this game’s allure and is only a part of what makes it unique.

You begin the game with a meager Peashooter, which will be the root, pardon the pun, of your defense as you start off. This plant… well, it shoots peas. At zombies. Make fun if you must but in the beginning, it’s this bad boy that keeps your brain in your head and the zombies off your lawn. As you progress through the levels, the “Bloom and Doom Seed Co.” provides you with a variety of plants, both defensive and offensive in nature. You could even say they were your “Shock and Lawn” weapon provider… Go ahead, I’ll let that one sink in for a while.

"Shock and Lawn"... Get it??? Never mind.

The resources you gather to grow your plants (sunlight, of course) can be obtained as it falls from the sky during the daylight levels but as night falls, you have to be sure to grow sunflowers or sun-shrooms (a night time version of the sunflower, try to keep up) to be sure to provide a steady supply of sun to fuel your plant growing needs. Due to the limited space on your lawn, you’ll often find yourself juggling between enough room for defenses and resource producing plants but that’s all part of the challenge.

You’ll defend the front lawn, the back lawn, and even your roof from the advancing horde in the adventure mode with each locale requiring a slightly different style of play. Your roof has to have planters for each plant you wish to grow which, strangely, consumes resources (read the description of the planter in the Almanac for a quick chuckle). And you’ll also defend the lawns through day and night cycles which will have you choosing between your day and night faring plants.

Shortly into your adventure, your virtual neighbor, “Crazy” Dave shows up to offer advice. Unfortunately, he’s crazy, willing to admit he’s crazy, and you have to wonder how much you can actually trust someone who wears a pot on his head. Fortunately, he proves to be much more useful as a merchant later on in the game.

Dave has...issues.

Many players will find that the first playthough of the adventure mode serves mostly as a tutorial. It’s the repeated playthroughs, the minigames, the puzzle modes, and the survival modes where the main challenges, and the true value of the game, lie. Beating each of the additional modes results in additional challenges which further increase the replay value of the game.

The Busy Gamer will have to be careful of this game. It’s easy to lose track of time as you grow your garden of doom. Minutes can turn into hours if you’re not careful as you try to beat just one more level. Fortunately, the very useful, very easy save feature makes it a snap to pick up where you left off. Need to be somewhere? No problem. Exit to the main menu and your game is automatically saved. Even if you play a different mode, you can pick right back up where you left off on the adventure mode you were playing until two in the morning.

I imagine there will be many out there who end up missing out on this game because the premise doesn’t sound attractive to them. Their loss. Created with a clever wit, addictive gameplay, and an attractive price tag, Plants vs. Zombies is easily one of the best games I have had the pleasure of sitting down with in a very long time.

Gritskrieg – End of Line