Can You Play as Zombies in PvZ Garden Warfare? The Ultimate Guide
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Yes, absolutely! You can definitively play as zombies in the Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare series. This isn’t a one-sided battle of plants versus relentless undead; the games ingeniously allow you to step into the decaying shoes of the zombie horde and experience the chaotic fun from their perspective. Both Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare and its sequel, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, offer robust zombie classes, ensuring a diverse and engaging gameplay experience. This core feature is what truly sets the Garden Warfare games apart from the traditional PvZ tower defense style. Let’s dive deeper into how you can become a member of the shambling menace.
The Undead Side of the Garden
The ability to play as zombies is a cornerstone of the Garden Warfare series. Instead of solely defending your garden as plants, you’re given the opportunity to go on the offensive. This is a pivotal shift that introduces a whole new dimension to the gameplay. Here’s what you can expect:
- Playable Zombie Classes: Both games feature a wide array of distinct zombie classes. These aren’t just reskins of one another. Each class boasts unique abilities, weaponry, and playstyles, demanding different tactical approaches.
- Cooperative and Competitive Play: You’re not restricted to playing as zombies in single-player mode. The Garden Warfare series heavily focuses on multiplayer, where you can team up with other zombie players or face off against the plant factions. This adds layers of strategy and replayability.
- Storyline Integration: The games incorporate the zombie faction within their storylines, providing a lighthearted narrative backdrop to the zany battles.
Zombie Classes in Garden Warfare 1
In the original Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, you have four core zombie classes to choose from:
- Foot Soldier: The standard, all-around zombie. They’re versatile and great for beginners.
- Engineer: A support class focusing on building turrets and providing assistance to the team.
- Scientist: The healer of the zombie team, capable of warping short distances and providing vital health boosts.
- All-Star: The tank of the team, equipped with a powerful minigun and the ability to deploy defensive shields.
Zombie Classes in Garden Warfare 2
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 expands the roster of undead playable characters. Besides retaining all four of the original zombie classes, it introduces four brand-new classes. This brings a total of eight playable zombie classes:
- Captain Deadbeard: A ranged sniper-type zombie with a powerful parrot drone.
- Imp: A small, agile zombie that can summon a powerful mech.
- Super Brainz: A melee brawler that can execute powerful close-range attacks.
- Z-7 Imp: A variant of the Imp with more mechanical modifications and higher damage output, added later in a free update.
The increased number of classes provides more variety and strategic options for players who choose to play as zombies.
Modes Featuring Zombie Play
The beauty of playing as zombies extends to the various game modes in the series. Here’s where you’ll be deploying your undead skills:
- Graveyard Ops: This is a zombie version of the classic “Garden Ops.” Instead of defending a garden, you protect your tombstone from waves of attacking plants.
- Multiplayer Modes: The competitive multiplayer modes like Team Vanquish, Gnome Bomb, Vanquish Confirmed!, Suburbination, and Taco Bandits all feature both plant and zombie teams battling it out.
- Backyard Battleground: In Garden Warfare 2, this central hub world allows players to explore, engage in mini-battles, and switch between the plant and zombie factions freely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions people have about playing as zombies in the PvZ Garden Warfare series:
1. What are the main differences between playing as a plant or zombie?
Playing as a plant usually involves positioning and strategy using unique abilities, while zombie gameplay often emphasizes close-quarters combat and mobility. Each faction boasts a wide variety of classes, encouraging different playstyles.
2. Can I play as zombies offline?
Yes, you can play as zombies offline in “Graveyard Ops” mode. However, you’ll still need an internet connection to start the offline modes, even if you don’t require an Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus subscription for solo and split-screen play.
3. Do I need to unlock zombie classes?
You initially have access to the basic classes for both plants and zombies. However, you can unlock variations of each class with different appearances and abilities by spending in-game currency or completing challenges.
4. How do I change my zombie character?
You can change your zombie character, appearance, and abilities by interacting with the large dressing room located at your base.
5. What are “Spawnable Zombies”?
In Garden Warfare 2, you can summon AI-controlled Spawnable Zombies from specific locations on the map, allowing you to build a temporary horde during battles.
6. Is Garden Warfare 1 or 2 better for zombie gameplay?
Both games offer satisfying zombie experiences. Garden Warfare 2 is generally considered the better game due to its broader character selection, larger hub world, and more diverse game modes.
7. Can I play as zombies with friends?
Yes, you can team up with friends and play as zombies in both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, which is a major part of the game’s appeal.
8. What’s the storyline for zombies in Garden Warfare?
While there’s no traditional story campaign, the game’s narrative presents the zombies as an invading force under the command of Dr. Zomboss. This sets the backdrop for the chaotic battles that ensue.
9. Are zombies too strong or too weak compared to plants?
The classes are relatively well-balanced across the games. Both plants and zombies have distinct strengths and weaknesses, and a skilled player can find success with any faction.
10. How do you unlock zombie variants?
You unlock zombie variants by collecting sticker pieces from sticker packs purchased with in-game coins. Collecting all five pieces for a character variation unlocks that variant.
11. Are there new zombie classes after Garden Warfare 2?
No. Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, a sequel to the Garden Warfare series, features a different roster of characters, although it carries on the tradition of playing as both plants and zombies.
12. Can you play as zombies in “Garden Ops”?
Yes, you can in “Graveyard Ops,” which is the zombie counterpart to “Garden Ops”. Instead of defending a garden as plants, you protect a tombstone as zombies.
13. Is split-screen multiplayer available when playing as zombies?
Yes, split-screen multiplayer is available on consoles, allowing you to team up with a friend locally and play as zombies.
14. Do any zombie characters have special abilities?
Yes, every zombie class boasts unique special abilities and skills, encouraging teamwork and diverse strategies.
15. Is there a third Garden Warfare game?
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is the direct follow-up to the Garden Warfare series, and continues the gameplay style of playing as plants and zombies but it’s not called Garden Warfare 3.