Is Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Still Worth Playing in 2024?
Yes, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (PvZ GW2) remains a highly enjoyable and worthwhile game to play in 2024, despite its age. While it might not be the newest title on the block, its unique blend of third-person shooter action, tower defense elements, and charming Plants vs. Zombies humor makes it a standout experience. It has aged incredibly well, thanks to a robust offering of game modes, a diverse cast of characters, and a surprising amount of depth. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the franchise or a newcomer looking for a fun and engaging shooter, PvZ GW2 provides hours of entertainment. Its accessibility and lack of steep learning curves also make it suitable for players of all skill levels. This is not just a simple shooter; it’s a wonderfully chaotic world with tons to discover. This article will delve into the details of why this title remains relevant and why you might want to jump into its quirky action.
A Robust and Varied Gameplay Experience
PvZ GW2 sets itself apart by offering a diverse range of gameplay options. The Backyard Battleground, a large hub world, is a major step up from the original game, allowing for free exploration, mini-games, and discovery. This central area acts as a jumping-off point for all other modes, ensuring you’re never just stuck in menus. The game offers a substantial variety of modes, including:
- Multiplayer Modes: This includes classic modes like Turf Takeover (a capture-point-based mode) and Team Vanquish (team deathmatch), along with the fast-paced Gnome Bomb and the strategic Suburbanation.
- Solo and Cooperative Play: PvZ GW2 shines with its ability to play many of its modes both solo and in split-screen co-op, including the engaging Garden/Graveyard Ops modes, where you battle waves of AI enemies. The game even allows for bots, letting you jump into full matches even if you don’t have other players.
- Solo Quests: The game features a robust set of solo quests that provide fun story-driven objectives and challenges to complete. These quests offer great opportunities to practice and unlock new characters and customizations.
The game’s accessibility is further enhanced by its easy-to-learn controls and mechanics. New players can quickly grasp the basics, while experienced gamers will appreciate the depth of strategy that can be developed with each character’s unique abilities and playstyles. The variety of characters, both plant and zombie, ensures that everyone can find one that suits their style.
Engaging Character Customization and Progression
One of the game’s most appealing aspects is its character progression system. Each character can level up to level 10 and then be promoted up to five times. This reset to level 1 grants new titles and rewards, encouraging ongoing play. This progression system adds a huge amount of depth and replayability.
Beyond progression, the game offers vast character customization options. Skins, hats, and other accessories can be unlocked through gameplay or purchase, allowing players to personalize their favorite characters. The 200-star chest containing the Everlasting Crown, a unique legendary hat, offers an example of the rare and enticing unlocks available in the game. The elusive Unicorn Chomper is another popular character to chase, a status symbol among players.
Why It’s Still Worth Playing
While some may wonder if a game released years ago can hold up, here are key reasons why PvZ GW2 is still worth your time:
- Active Community: While not at its peak, PvZ GW2 still boasts a surprisingly active community, meaning you can easily find matches online.
- Unique Gameplay: Its blend of shooter and tower defense, combined with the Plants vs. Zombies charm, sets it apart from other shooters on the market.
- Accessibility: Its easy-to-learn mechanics and ability to play in co-op make it a great game for casual and hardcore players alike.
- Depth of Content: The range of characters, modes, and customization options ensures there’s plenty to do and master.
- Nostalgia Factor: For longtime fans of the series, PvZ GW2 offers a delightful and familiar experience with updated gameplay and graphics.
- Value for Money: With copies often found at reasonable prices, it represents excellent value for the amount of content it delivers.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fun, engaging, and lighthearted shooter that offers a mix of gameplay experiences, then PvZ GW2 is definitely worth picking up in 2024. It’s a testament to good game design that it continues to hold up so well despite the release of newer titles in the genre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions related to Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 that will provide even more insight for players thinking of picking it up:
Is Garden Warfare 2 better than the first Garden Warfare?
Yes, in most ways, Garden Warfare 2 is considered superior to the first game. It addresses many of its predecessor’s shortcomings, offering more content, improved features, solo quests, split-screen support for more modes, new characters, and the expansive Backyard Battleground.
What is the best Plants vs. Zombies game overall?
While the Garden Warfare games are strong, the consensus is that the original Plants vs. Zombies (2009) is the best game in the entire franchise. Its simple yet addictive tower defense gameplay and iconic design elements are cherished by fans. However, it is an entirely different genre from the Garden Warfare games.
What is the most difficult level in Plants vs. Zombies 1?
Many players consider level 5-9 in Adventure Mode to be the most difficult level in Plants vs. Zombies 1. This level includes a variety of challenging zombies, such as bucketheads, jack-in-the-box, and rooftop zombies (including Gargantuars).
Should I play Plants vs. Zombies 1 or 2?
Both are excellent games, but Plants vs. Zombies 1 is often recommended as the starting point. The first game provides a more paced, relaxed experience and a stronger connection to the series’ core elements. However, Plants vs Zombies 2 offers much more content and new plants. It mostly depends on which game is more appealing to your tastes.
Is Garden Warfare 2 still active in 2024?
Yes, Garden Warfare 2 is surprisingly active for an older game. The community is still very much alive, and finding matches online is generally easy.
What are the best plants in Plants vs. Zombies 2?
Some of the best plants in Plants vs. Zombies 2 include: Cold Snapdragon, Moonflower, Dusk Lobber, Caulipower, Imitater, Shrinking Violet, Primal Wall-nut, and Spring Bean. Each offers unique strategic advantages.
What is the highest level in PvZ GW2?
The highest level for each character in PvZ GW2 is level 10, but you can promote them up to five times after reaching that level, resetting them back to Level 1 but granting a new title and rewards.
Why is PvZ2 often laggy?
Lag in PvZ2 is often due to the game’s zombie wave management, which can overload the system by trying to process too many zombies at once.
What makes Plants vs. Zombies so popular?
Plants vs. Zombies’ popularity stems from its unique twist on the tower defense genre, allowing enemy zombies to directly interact with defensive plants. Its charming art style and simple yet engaging gameplay also make it accessible and enjoyable for all types of players.
Are there bots in Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, Garden Warfare 2 excels with its bot support. Most multiplayer modes can be played with and against bots, and you can use AI characters in Garden/Graveyard Ops, choose their classes, and switch between them anytime.
How do I unlock the “Who Can You Trust?” achievement in PvZ GW2?
To unlock the “Who Can You Trust?” achievement, you need to travel to a friend’s Backyard Battleground and vanquish them.
Does GW2 still receive updates?
While GW2 doesn’t receive major content updates, the Guild Wars 2 franchise does see continued updates. However, these updates are not for Garden Warfare 2.
Why is PvZ1 considered better than PvZ2 by some?
Many players prefer PvZ1 for its paced gameplay, charming art style, in-game achievement system, more mini-games, and the I, Zombie mode. Additionally, it has a lower difficulty curve that allows for a more relaxed gaming experience.
What’s in the 200-star chest in PvZ GW2?
The 200-star chest in the ‘Chamber of Gnomes’ secret room contains the Everlasting Crown, a legendary hat that can be equipped on almost any character.
What is the rarest Chomper in PvZ GW2?
The Unicorn Chomper is the rarest Chomper in PvZ GW2. Its unique look and difficult unlock process make it a coveted character among players.