Unlocking the Mystery: What are Keys For in Plants vs. Zombies 2?
In the sprawling world of Plants vs. Zombies 2, keys once played a crucial role, serving as the gatekeepers to new challenges and pathways. These weren’t your typical door keys; instead, they were the currency required to unlock side missions and access different areas within the game’s various worlds. Think of them as the entry fee to explore the less-travelled paths, offering unique gameplay experiences beyond the main storyline. Each side gate demanded a specific number of these precious keys, and once spent, they were gone, prompting players to strategize their spending carefully. While the mechanics around keys have changed in later updates, their impact on the game’s early progression is noteworthy. The need to earn these keys encouraged players to thoroughly explore each level, ensuring they didn’t miss out on any of the additional content that PvZ2 offered. The gameplay experience was inherently linked to these keys, as acquiring them often meant engaging with varied plant combinations and facing challenging zombie hordes. This article delves deep into the importance of keys, their acquisition, and their place in the game’s evolution.
The Role of Keys in Early PvZ2
In the early iterations of Plants vs. Zombies 2, keys were essential for navigating the game’s map. Each world featured side gates, often leading to unique, bonus levels or additional challenges. These gates weren’t merely aesthetic, they were locked, and the only way to unlock them was by spending a certain amount of keys. This design created a sense of exploration, encouraging players to collect keys methodically as they progressed through the primary levels. The requirement of spending keys to unlock these pathways added a layer of strategy to the game, forcing players to decide which side missions they wanted to pursue first. The number of keys needed for each gate varied, with some being more expensive than others, forcing players to strategize their earning and spending habits.
How to Acquire Keys
The primary method of obtaining keys was through gameplay. Players would earn them by successfully completing levels throughout the game’s various worlds. This system ensured that players engaged with the core gameplay mechanics. There was no way to purchase keys with real currency, so the game rewarded skill and dedication. Each level had a chance to award keys and players needed to play strategically to progress. Because each key was a hard-earned resource, the stakes were higher when players decided which gates to unlock. The removal of keys in a later update shifted the gameplay dynamic, but their legacy remains in the early game experience for players who played PvZ2 when they were a crucial part of progression.
The Removal of Keys
While keys were an important mechanic in the original game, they were eventually removed in the 1.7 update. This shift indicates the evolving nature of game design and the developer’s desire to streamline the player experience. The removal of keys changed the progression, allowing players to more easily access side missions. Despite their disappearance from the main game, they are still present in some older versions and the memory of keys will stay with veteran players of PvZ2. This removal underscores the fact that gaming is dynamic, adapting to player feedback and technological possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Plants vs. Zombies 2
1. How do you unlock new plants in PvZ2?
New plants can be unlocked through various methods. Seedium plants are unlocked using seed packets. Once you have collected enough seeds, you can go to the Almanac and unlock the plant. Other plants may be unlocked using mints, and some are available through specific in-game events or in the Zen Garden. Premium plants may cost real money or gems.
2. What is inside the 200 star chest?
The 200 Star chest you’re referring to is actually from Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, not PvZ2. It contains the Everlasting Crown, a legendary hat that can be equipped to most characters.
3. What is “zombie code” in software development?
“Zombie code” is a term describing software functionality that is abandoned or unsupported but still remains in the source code. It’s code that doesn’t serve any purpose but still exists, like a zombie.
4. How do you open the secret door in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2?
To open the secret door in Garden Warfare 2, you need to pick up a Gnome Bomb from the docks and deliver it to the sewers. Place the bomb near the iron bars blocking the entryway, and it will detonate. This reveals a secret area.
5. What do rainbow stars do in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville?
Rainbow Stars are used to purchase exclusive customizations, costumes, gestures, and expressions from Rux in Battle for Neighborville. They can also unlock Prize Bulbs on Festival Prize Maps.
6. How do you spend rainbow stars?
You can spend Rainbow Stars in the in-game store, primarily to purchase exclusive cosmetic items. In the Nintendo Switch version, these customizations are often available for Coins.
7. How do you unlock the Trials of Gnomus?
The Trials of Gnomus are unlocked by getting Trial Keys, which you can obtain from the 50-Rainbow Star chest in the Town Hall during portal events, or by purchasing the Torch and Tail upgrade DLC.
8. How do you unlock Endless PvZ?
Endless PvZ, also known as the Endless Survival Mode, is unlocked after completing all other Survival Mode levels. The difficulty will increase with each flag completed.
9. Can you unlock all plants in PvZ2 for free?
Yes, you can unlock many plants in PvZ2 without spending money. Many plants are earned through gameplay using seed packets and mints. However, some are only available as premium purchases, but the majority can be acquired through in-game progression.
10. Is it possible to beat PvZ2 without paying?
Absolutely. Many players have beaten PvZ2 without spending any money. With strategic plant placement, proper resource management, and a bit of patience, you can complete the entire game without any premium purchases.
11. Did PvZ2 remove keys?
Yes, keys were removed from Plants vs. Zombies 2 in the 1.7 update. They were originally used to unlock side missions and other extra areas on the map.
12. How do you open the portal in PvZ2?
Portals in PvZ2 can be opened after completing the Dr. Patient Quests. You interact with one of the three orb statues at the back of the Zombie Base to open a portal.
13. How do you get the Torchwood in Garden Warfare 2?
To unlock Torchwood in Garden Warfare 2, you need to unlock all 5 locks on the Torchwood chest. Each lock requires 15 Rainbow Stars, totaling 75 stars, and you need to complete the four Trials.
14. What do you get from the 50 Rainbow Star chest?
The 50 Rainbow Star chest has a 75% chance of dropping a Trial Key, which is used to access Trials of Gnomus, among other rewards. It can only be opened once per mystery portal event.
15. Why is a star flashing rainbow?
Stars appear to flash different colors due to the way light interacts with Earth’s atmosphere. The atmosphere refracts starlight, breaking it into its component colors, making the light appear to flicker as a rainbow of colors. This is especially noticeable when the star is low on the horizon.
In conclusion, while keys are no longer a mechanic in current versions of Plants vs. Zombies 2, their significance in the game’s early structure remains important for the context of understanding the game’s history and development. They added a layer of strategy and exploration, shaping player experience during early phases of the game. This dynamic part of the game’s history highlights how games continually evolve.