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Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 takes the quirky charm of its predecessor and expands it into a full-blown, chaotic, and thoroughly entertaining shooter. This isn’t your typical third-person shooter, and that’s precisely what makes it so enjoyable. While it may have flown under the radar for some, those who’ve experienced its blend of strategic gameplay and wacky humor know it’s a hidden gem.

Backyard Battleground hub area in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

A Bigger Backyard, More to Explore

The most immediate upgrade in Garden Warfare 2 is the introduction of Backyard Battleground. This dynamic hub world replaces static menus and serves as your central command center. Divided into three distinct sections – the Plant’s vibrant garden, the Zombie’s spooky playground, and a neutral zone ripe for skirmishes – Backyard Battleground offers seamless access to everything the game has to offer. From embarking on solo and co-op missions to jumping into online matches through portals, customizing characters, managing quests, opening treasure chests, and browsing the sticker shop, everything is just a short stroll away.

This hub world is packed with secrets, hidden missions, collectibles, and a multitude of accessories to discover, ensuring there’s always something to do. The sheer volume of content available keeps players engaged and constantly rewards exploration.

Secrets and collectibles in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

The single-player and co-op content has also received a significant boost. Alongside NPC-assigned quests, players can tackle a rotating selection of missions that change every 48 hours, adding variety and encouraging consistent play. Some of these missions even tie into the multiplayer aspect of the game. The abundance of missions ensures a steady flow of coins, the in-game currency used to purchase sticker packs from the shop. These packs unlock new customization options, character variants, and more. While the sticker shop relies on a random draw system, the game is generous with coin rewards.

Character Variety and Customization

Garden Warfare 2 features all the characters from the previous game, along with three new additions to each faction. These new characters introduce fresh gameplay mechanics, from the melee-focused Super Brainz to the shield-wielding Citron and the crowd-control specialist Rose. Each faction boasts seven main characters, and each character has five to eight variants that can be unlocked through sticker packs, offering a vast array of playstyles and customization options.

Character variants in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

The co-op experience remains a highlight, with Garden/Graveyard Ops offering the familiar wave-based gameplay for up to four players. These 10-round matches feature diverse enemy types, boss battles, and escalating chaos. Juggling defense with dodging samurai zombies and other hazards makes for a thrilling and frantic experience.

Heated Multiplayer Action

The PvP component of Garden Warfare 2 also sees significant expansion with three new modes: Herbal Assault, which reverses the roles of the factions; Flag of Power, a “King of the Hill” variant; and the standout Turf Takeover.

Turf Takeover gameplay in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Turf Takeover combines elements of Gardens & Graveyards and Herbal Assault, pitting two teams of 12 against each other across five control points and a final base. Players can deploy support plants or zombies to aid their advance. This mode offers a dynamic blend of offensive and defensive gameplay, requiring teamwork and strategic thinking.

Multiplayer action in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

The overall multiplayer experience is a chaotic and entertaining mix of unique characters and abilities, complemented by well-designed maps that cater to various playstyles. While balancing may not be perfect, both factions offer distinct advantages, and the variety of characters and character variants ensures there’s something for everyone.

Variety of characters and abilities in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Room for Growth

While the quantity and variety of single-player and co-op content are improved, the campaign missions feel somewhat underwhelming compared to the excitement of Garden/Graveyard Ops. The linear structure, relatively easy combat, and lack of replayability hold them back.

New players might also find themselves a little lost in Backyard Battleground initially, as the game lacks clear guidance on certain aspects, like how to acquire new characters. More detailed character information, including stats and strategic tips, would also be beneficial.

Campaign missions in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Conclusion

Despite some minor shortcomings, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 offers a vibrant and engaging shooter experience. The expanded content, diverse character roster, and chaotic multiplayer action make it a worthwhile addition to the Plants vs. Zombies universe. While the campaign could use some refinement, the core gameplay loop of co-op and PvP modes is where the game truly shines.