Do I Need to Play Garden Warfare 1 Before 2? Your Complete Guide

The short answer is: No, you absolutely do not need to play Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 1 before playing Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. While playing the first game can enhance your overall appreciation and understanding of the sequel, Garden Warfare 2 is designed to be a standalone experience. The narrative links are minimal, and the gameplay mechanics are thoroughly explained within Garden Warfare 2 itself.

Understanding the Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Series

The Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare games are third-person shooter spinoffs from the wildly popular tower defense game, Plants vs. Zombies. They offer a lighthearted and accessible shooter experience, appealing to both casual and more hardcore gamers. The focus is on teamwork, character customization, and over-the-top, comedic action. Garden Warfare 2 builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, adding new characters, modes, and a more expansive open-world hub area.

Garden Warfare 1: Setting the Stage

Garden Warfare 1 introduced the core gameplay loop of class-based combat between Plants and Zombies. It featured iconic characters from the original PvZ game, such as the Peashooter, Sunflower, Foot Soldier, and Engineer, each with unique abilities and roles. The game revolved around multiplayer modes like Team Vanquish (team deathmatch), Gardens & Graveyards (a conquest mode), and Garden Ops (a cooperative horde mode).

Garden Warfare 2: Building a Bigger and Better Garden

Garden Warfare 2 expands upon the original in several significant ways:

• New Characters: Introduces six new character classes – Rose, Citron, Kernel Corn for the Plants, and Imp, Super Brainz, and Captain Deadbeard for the Zombies – further diversifying gameplay.
• Backyard Battleground: This acts as a central hub world, allowing players to explore, complete quests, customize their characters, and jump into various game modes. It’s essentially a mini open world.
• Solo Play: Offers a more robust single-player experience with story missions and challenges for both Plants and Zombies.
• Expanded Multiplayer Modes: Adds new multiplayer modes and refines existing ones, providing even more variety for online battles.
• Character Transfers: Allowed players who played Garden Warfare 1 to transfer most of their unlocked characters and customizations to Garden Warfare 2 (more on this later).

Why Playing Garden Warfare 1 Isn’t Essential

Despite these improvements, Garden Warfare 2 is designed to be easily accessible to newcomers. Here’s why you don’t need to play the first game:

• Self-Contained Narrative: While there’s an overarching storyline across the series, each game tells its own relatively self-contained story. You won’t be lost jumping straight into Garden Warfare 2.
• Comprehensive Tutorials: Garden Warfare 2 provides tutorials that explain the core gameplay mechanics, character classes, and game modes.
• Standalone Progression System: You start with fresh progress in Garden Warfare 2, regardless of your progress in the first game (with the exception of the character transfer bonus).
• No Story Spoilers: Playing Garden Warfare 2 first won’t spoil any significant plot points from Garden Warfare 1. The story is largely lighthearted and doesn’t rely on intricate lore.

Benefits of Playing Garden Warfare 1 (Optional)

While not essential, playing Garden Warfare 1 can offer some benefits:

• Familiarity with Core Gameplay: You’ll already be familiar with the basic mechanics of shooting, using abilities, and understanding character roles.
• Appreciation for Improvements: You’ll better appreciate the new characters, features, and improvements in Garden Warfare 2.
• Character Transfer Bonus: If you played Garden Warfare 1 before a certain date (the promotion has now ended), you could transfer most of your unlocked characters to Garden Warfare 2, giving you a head start. Important: This transfer window is generally considered closed, and is unlikely to be available moving forward.
• Understanding Character Lore: While not crucial, playing Garden Warfare 1 gives you a deeper understanding of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations.

Who Should Consider Playing Garden Warfare 1 First?

• Completionists: If you enjoy experiencing a series from the beginning, playing Garden Warfare 1 is a good starting point.
• Players Seeking Nostalgia: If you’re curious about the origins of the Garden Warfare series, playing the first game can be a fun trip down memory lane.
• Those on a Budget: Garden Warfare 1 is often available at a lower price than Garden Warfare 2, making it a budget-friendly way to experience the series.

Conclusion: Jump Right In!

Ultimately, the decision of whether to play Garden Warfare 1 before 2 depends on your personal preferences. If you’re eager to dive into the latest Plants vs. Zombies shooter action, don’t hesitate to start with Garden Warfare 2. It’s a fantastic game that stands on its own. However, if you’re a completionist or simply curious about the series’ origins, playing Garden Warfare 1 can be a worthwhile experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify whether you need to play Garden Warfare 1 before Garden Warfare 2:

1. Will I be at a disadvantage if I start with Garden Warfare 2?

No. Garden Warfare 2 has a tutorial system designed to introduce new players to the game mechanics and character abilities. You’ll be on a level playing field with other new players.

2. Can I still transfer characters from Garden Warfare 1 to Garden Warfare 2?

Generally, no. While there was a transfer system in place when Garden Warfare 2 was released, the timeframe for transferring unlocked characters from the first game has usually ended. Check official sources to confirm if this has changed.

3. Is the story in Garden Warfare 2 a direct continuation of Garden Warfare 1?

Not really. The stories are loosely connected, but Garden Warfare 2 presents a new scenario with its own set of challenges and objectives. You won’t need prior knowledge to understand the plot.

4. Are the gameplay mechanics significantly different between the two games?

The core gameplay mechanics are similar, but Garden Warfare 2 introduces new characters, abilities, and gameplay features that add more depth and variety. It’s an evolution rather than a complete overhaul.

5. Is Garden Warfare 2 more difficult than Garden Warfare 1?

The difficulty is comparable. Both games offer a range of challenges and difficulty settings to accommodate different skill levels.

6. Does Garden Warfare 2 include all the content from Garden Warfare 1?

No. Garden Warfare 2 introduces new content and characters, but it doesn’t include all the maps and modes from the first game. They are separate games with distinct content libraries.

7. Are the servers still active for Garden Warfare 1?

Server activity can vary depending on the platform and region. It’s generally lower than Garden Warfare 2, but you may still be able to find matches. Check online forums and communities for the latest information.

8. Which game has better graphics?

Garden Warfare 2 has improved graphics and visual effects compared to Garden Warfare 1.

9. Is Garden Warfare 2 worth playing if I’ve already played Garden Warfare 1 extensively?

Absolutely! The new characters, features, and expanded content in Garden Warfare 2 offer a fresh and engaging experience, even if you’re a veteran of the first game.

10. Does playing Garden Warfare 1 give me any exclusive rewards in Garden Warfare 2 besides the character transfer?

Potentially. There might be minor cosmetic items or achievements that unlock based on your progress in the first game. But any such rewards would have been given during the initial launch window.

11. Which game is more beginner-friendly?

Garden Warfare 2 is arguably more beginner-friendly due to its comprehensive tutorials and the Backyard Battleground hub world, which allows players to practice and explore before jumping into multiplayer matches.

12. Is the PC version of Garden Warfare 1 still playable?

Yes, the PC version of Garden Warfare 1 is still playable, but server activity might be limited.

13. What are the minimum system requirements for Garden Warfare 2 on PC?

The minimum system requirements typically include a relatively modern CPU (Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent), 4-8GB of RAM, and a dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7850). Check the official EA website for the most up-to-date requirements.

14. Are there any significant differences between the console and PC versions of Garden Warfare 2?

The console and PC versions are largely similar in terms of gameplay and content. The PC version may offer slightly better graphics and performance depending on your hardware.

15. Should I watch gameplay videos of Garden Warfare 1 before playing Garden Warfare 2?

It’s not necessary, but it can give you a better idea of the core gameplay mechanics and character abilities. However, experiencing the game firsthand is always the best way to learn.