Does Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare Have a Story?
The short answer is: yes, but not in the traditional, single-player campaign format you might expect. While neither Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare nor Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 feature a linear, narrative-driven single-player mode like many other games, they both offer story elements woven into their gameplay, particularly the second installment. It’s a story told through various mission types, character interactions, and the overall game world, rather than a straightforward, cinematic experience. Understanding how the story is presented is key to appreciating the narrative that exists within the Garden Warfare series.
The Story Through Gameplay
The Garden Warfare games prioritize multiplayer and cooperative play, but they do not completely neglect a narrative. Instead of a traditional campaign, the story unfolds through different avenues.
Garden Warfare
The original Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare was primarily focused on co-op and competitive multiplayer modes. It introduced the concept of the plants and zombies battling it out in a third-person shooter format. The focus here was less on a specific storyline and more on the core conflict between these two factions and their respective leaders, Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss. While it lacked dedicated story missions, the game laid the foundation for the narrative established in the sequel.
Garden Warfare 2: Where the Story Blossoms
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 greatly expands on the story elements. It does this through a few key mechanics:
- Solo Story Quests: Unlike the first game, Garden Warfare 2 includes solo story missions accessible via the Backyard Battleground hub area. These are known as L.E.A.F. missions for the plants and Top Zombie missions for the zombies. These missions introduce new characters like Dave-bot 3000 and provide a framework for the conflict’s progression. They are a series of linear, character-focused quests that advance a basic storyline about each side.
- The Backyard Battleground: This free-roam hub area isn’t just a staging ground. It’s an active battlefield where both plants and zombies battle for control, and it’s filled with secrets and side quests that expand on the game’s lore and offer a sense of progression and purpose. The shifting power dynamic in the Backyard Battleground and the ability to interact with characters further the storyline.
- Character Interactions: As you play as different classes, especially within the story quests, you will find small character-based storylines with dialogue between each character. This provides context and humor to the general story.
- Visual Storytelling: The environments themselves tell a story. The transition of Suburbia into Zomburbia, with the zombies’ influence evident in the world’s design, contributes to the game’s overall narrative.
The Core Narrative
The overarching story across the series is that the zombies, under Dr. Zomboss, have invaded Suburbia and established their reign. The plants, led by Crazy Dave, fight to reclaim their home. The second game picks up with the zombies having successfully taken over Suburbia, renaming it Zomburbia. The players are then tasked to aid their chosen side in a series of missions to either take back the territory or solidify the zombie’s control.
The story, while not as deep or expansive as some other games, offers a lighthearted and humorous take on the classic plants vs. zombies conflict. It is enough to give the gameplay purpose beyond simply shooting at the opposition. The Garden Warfare games successfully integrate a narrative structure into a multiplayer-focused environment.
Beyond the Main Story
It’s also important to note that a broader Plants vs. Zombies universe story exists across all the games in the franchise. This overarching story primarily focuses on Crazy Dave’s inventive use of plants to combat Dr. Zomboss’ zombie hordes. The core of this story is present in the Garden Warfare games as well, even though the main focus is the multiplayer combat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide further context about the story elements and gameplay in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare:
Does the original Plants vs. Zombies have a story?
Yes, the original Plants vs. Zombies (2009) has a basic storyline. It focuses on Crazy Dave’s use of plants to defend against Dr. Zomboss’ zombies. The story unfolds through the game’s various levels, introducing different zombies and plants along the way. It is presented in a very simple, cartoonish, way but does provide narrative structure.
What is the point of Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare games?
The core point of the Garden Warfare series is to offer a third-person shooter experience within the Plants vs. Zombies universe. Players engage in cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, taking control of either plants or zombies as they battle it out in various maps and game types. It expands on the original tower defense format and brings it into a modern console-based shooter game.
Can I play Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare single-player?
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 has a Solo Ops mode where you can play the game’s objective-based modes by yourself, controlling all of the characters on your team. Additionally, Story Quests are available, offering specific missions for both plants and zombies. The first Garden Warfare is multiplayer only, and has no single player.
Are Garden Warfare games different than the classic Plants vs Zombies game?
Yes, the Garden Warfare games are fundamentally different from the original Plants vs. Zombies tower defense game. The Garden Warfare series is a third-person shooter, where players directly control characters. The original PvZ is a 2D tower defense game where players place plants strategically. They are two very different games with the same basic lore.
Can you play as zombies in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare?
Yes, you can play as zombies in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare and Garden Warfare 2. Both games allow you to choose between the plant and zombie factions and have their own specific classes and abilities to play as.
Does Garden Warfare 2 have a more prominent story compared to the first game?
Yes, Garden Warfare 2 greatly expands on the story elements. It includes solo story quests, a more expansive Backyard Battleground, and visual storytelling that creates a more robust sense of narrative compared to the first game. It gives more purpose to what the player is doing other than just shooting others.
How do I access story missions in Garden Warfare 2?
In Garden Warfare 2, you access story missions (L.E.A.F. missions for plants and Top Zombie missions for zombies) by interacting with specific characters and locations in the Backyard Battleground. They will then be available from the options menu.
Is there character progression in the Garden Warfare games?
Yes, both games feature character progression. Players can earn experience points and level up their characters, unlocking new abilities, customizations, and upgrades. The higher the level of character the more powerful they will be.
What happens when you complete all the story quests in Garden Warfare 2?
While completing the story quests does not “end” the game, it advances the game’s lore and provides a sense of closure for the conflict between the plants and zombies. It gives players a reason to play those characters and expands on why the conflict exists.
Does the story end on a cliffhanger that leads to a third game?
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is the next game in the series, which continues and somewhat concludes the conflict from the Garden Warfare games. There is not specifically a cliffhanger at the end of GW2, but the end is not finite, allowing for further development.
Can I switch factions during gameplay?
Yes, in Garden Warfare 2, you can switch between playing as plants or zombies at various points during gameplay, especially in the Backyard Battleground and in the multiplayer lobby before a game starts. It is recommended you try both to see the full scope of the story.
Is Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville a continuation of the Garden Warfare series story?
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is considered a continuation of the Garden Warfare spin-off series, offering a new storyline and gameplay features, but with the same basic conflict at the center of the action. It concludes the trilogy of games from the series.
Are there any cheat codes available in Garden Warfare 2 to unlock additional story content?
There are no cheat codes available in either of the Garden Warfare games. The progression of gameplay and story elements is determined by in-game actions and achievements. The only cheats for the series are for the original 2009 game and those unlock aesthetic changes.
Is Garden Warfare a multiplayer focused game?
While Garden Warfare 2 has solo elements with the Backyard Battleground and Story Quests, it is primarily a multiplayer-focused game. Most of the content and gameplay is designed around cooperative and competitive online play. Both games were designed around multiplayer focus, and that is where the games shine.
Is the story in the Garden Warfare games more enjoyable than traditional single-player games?
The storytelling in Garden Warfare is unique. While it might not offer the depth and narrative complexity of some single-player story games, the charm, humor, and engagement come from the unique way the story unfolds, through character interactions, battles, and visual storytelling, and for many the blend of gameplay with narrative is very enjoyable.
In conclusion, while Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare and Garden Warfare 2 may not have traditional single-player campaigns, they offer a story experience that is woven into their multiplayer gameplay, particularly with the addition of story quests in Garden Warfare 2. The games focus on the conflict between the plants and zombies, a theme consistent in the franchise, but delivered in a fun, modern way.