Does Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 Have a Story? A Deep Dive
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (PvZ GW2) does indeed have a story mode. While it’s not a traditional narrative-driven campaign in the vein of a single-player RPG, it offers a robust collection of solo story missions that provide a sense of progression and lore within the game’s wacky world. Unlike the first Garden Warfare, GW2 significantly expands on solo play, including the addition of Story Quests for both the Plants and the Zombies. These quests, known as L.E.A.F. missions and Top Zombie missions, respectively, allow players to delve into the story at their own pace, experiencing unique missions and meeting intriguing characters such as Dave-bot 3000 and the enigmatic Dr. Edgar George Zomboss.
Unpacking the Story in PvZ GW2
The story in Garden Warfare 2 is presented through these solo missions, which are not a linear path but are grouped into eight chapters. These chapters are not immediately available and are unlocked progressively as you level up, starting at level 10 and unveiling a new chapter every 10 levels gained. This system ensures that players don’t become overwhelmed with all story content at once, and allows for a sense of earned progression. It’s worth noting that while the missions have a story context, they primarily serve to introduce different characters, gameplay mechanics, and challenges.
Solo Play and Story Progression
The Story Quests in PvZ GW2 are specifically designed for single-player enjoyment. You can’t play these missions in co-op mode. This solo structure allows you to fully explore the world and learn the unique abilities of each character without the pressure of multiplayer. The missions often include dialogues between characters, providing crucial information about the lore and the motivations behind the Plants and Zombies conflict.
A Focus on Character Variety
The story mode also provides an excellent opportunity to experiment with the game’s diverse cast of characters. Garden Warfare 2 boasts a staggering 14 character classes, comprised of over 100 playable characters, including variants. This is a significant increase from the first game and helps keep the single-player experience fresh and engaging. Each character has unique abilities, and the solo quests are tailored to encourage players to try them all.
Beyond the Story Missions
Beyond the specific Story Quests, Garden Warfare 2 has other ways to play solo, including the Solo Ops mode. This allows you to experience the classic wave-based defense gameplay of Garden Warfare entirely on your own terms. You can customize your team, selecting the characters you wish to use and even modify the difficulty, making it a fantastic way to train and test out different strategies. In addition to Ops, all multiplayer modes can be played solo with AI teammates and enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About PvZ GW2 Story
1. Is the PvZ GW2 story mode co-op?
No, the Story Quests in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 are designed exclusively for solo play. You can’t play the story missions with friends.
2. How many chapters are in the GW2 story?
The story is divided into eight chapters, unlocked progressively as you level up your characters.
3. Can I replay story missions in GW2?
No, unfortunately, you cannot replay the story missions. Once a chapter is completed, it is not available for replay.
4. Can I play Garden Ops solo in GW2?
Yes, Garden Warfare 2 introduces Solo Ops, where you can play the wave-based defense mode by yourself, customizing your team and difficulty.
5. Is there lore in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, there is lore, which is subtly built into the game through the story quests, character interactions, and the environment.
6. How many playable characters are in PvZ GW2?
There are a total of 14 character classes and over 100 playable characters when you include variants, creating incredible variety.
7. Does Plants vs. Zombies GW1 have a story mode?
No, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 1 does not have a solo story campaign. It is primarily a co-op and multiplayer experience.
8. How do you unlock the Torchwood character in PvZ GW2?
You unlock Torchwood by opening all five locks on the Torchwood chest, using Rainbow Stars and completing the Trials.
9. Are there private matches in PvZ GW2?
Yes, you can create private matches where you can play against and/or with AI bots.
10. How long do Garden Ops rounds last in GW2?
Garden Ops (and Graveyard Ops) rounds generally consist of 10 waves of enemies that you must defend against.
11. What are the party characters in GW2?
Party variants are Legendary characters with similar abilities to their default counterparts but have a special legendary meter for boosted damage and speed.
12. Is PvZ GW2 online-only?
While the main focus of GW2 is online multiplayer, all local play features (solo play and local split screen) can be experienced with an internet connection only. If you want to play online with friends you do need Xbox Live Gold or PS+.
13. Is PvZ GW2 kid-friendly?
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is generally considered kid-friendly, featuring cartoonish violence and comical character designs.
14. What is the highest level in PvZ GW2?
Each character can be leveled to 10. After reaching the level cap, characters can be promoted up to five times to reset them back to level 1 and give them a cool new title.
15. Which PvZ GW2 character is the best?
There is no definitive “best” character since it is based on play style, however, some of the well-regarded characters include Agent Pea, Hot Rod Chomper, Zen Cactus, Frozen Citron, and several others mentioned by name in the article.
Conclusion
While not a traditional single-player campaign with a narrative that unfolds through cinematic cutscenes, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 does indeed have a story. The solo story quests, coupled with the expanded Solo Ops mode, provide a wealth of single-player content that allows players to engage with the game’s lore and experience its unique blend of action and humor. So, if you were wondering whether PvZ GW2 had anything to offer beyond its frantic multiplayer, the answer is a resounding yes – delve into the story, explore the world, and have fun discovering the hilarious battles that lie within!