Why Are There No Variants in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville?
The absence of character variants in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville (BFN) is a departure from its predecessors, Garden Warfare and Garden Warfare 2, which featured a plethora of these alternate characters. The core reason for this significant change lies in the design philosophy and direction that developers chose for BFN. Instead of offering different versions of the same character with varying stats and weapons, BFN opted for a system centered on ability variants and a more streamlined roster of distinct heroes. This decision was driven by several factors including a desire for better balancing, a focus on unique character identities, and a shift away from the perceived “grind” associated with unlocking numerous variants. In short, the developers aimed to create a more cohesive and less overwhelming experience than the previous games, emphasizing tactical play and character mastery.
The Variant System in Garden Warfare 2
To understand why BFN lacks variants, it’s essential to examine how they functioned in Garden Warfare 2 (GW2). In GW2, each base character had multiple variants, each with their own unique primary weapon and, sometimes, modified stats. These variants, often unlocked through character piece collection, fell into categories like Rare, Super Rare, and Legendary. Some variants offered drastically different playstyles, changing the dynamics of battles entirely. For example, a “Fire” variant might do less raw damage but inflict damage over time, while an “Ice” variant could slow down enemies. These variants, while popular, often caused balancing issues and could overwhelm players, especially newcomers. The system also promoted grinding for character packs and luck-based acquisitions, which could lead to frustration.
The Design Philosophy Behind BFN’s Character System
In contrast, BFN sought to create a more level playing field. Instead of variants, the game introduced a system of ability variants, which modify a character’s existing abilities, allowing players to customize their playstyle without creating an entirely new character. This approach ensured that every hero remained identifiable and did not become an entirely new entity requiring re-learning. The developers aimed to allow players to experiment with different playstyles with ease and prevent the community from only using the most “powerful” variant of a character.
The focus shifted from collecting a multitude of different characters to mastering a smaller, more refined cast. BFN launched with 20 distinct playable characters: 10 Plants and 10 Zombies, including all characters from GW2 along with three new heroes on each side. This approach allowed the game to put more emphasis on distinct identities and balanced gameplay, where character choice felt deliberate rather than a product of available options. This streamlined roster enabled developers to better fine-tune each character’s abilities and balance them against the entire pool.
Key Changes: From Character Variants to Ability Variants
The move from character variants to ability variants is a crucial distinction. Ability variants in BFN replace the base abilities of each character and are unlocked through gameplay progression, not random luck. This allowed for customization within the core character’s framework, rather than having entirely new characters with drastically different weapons and stats. Thus, players can modify abilities to suit their playstyle, but the fundamental hero is unchanged. It promotes experimentation without overcomplicating the roster, making the learning curve less steep for new players.
The Impact of the Change
While BFN’s approach to character customization aimed to improve gameplay balance and accessibility, it did have its own set of consequences. Some players missed the variety of characters variants from GW2 and the sense of accomplishment that came with unlocking unique variants. However, BFN’s developers intended to eliminate the “grind” associated with variants and create a more focused gaming experience.
The streamlined character roster in BFN allowed for better tactical depth. The emphasis was less on finding the most powerful character, and more on mastering the chosen characters and their ability variants. This is reflective of the design decision to shift towards a more tactical team-based experience rather than individual character power.
FAQs About Variants in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the absence of character variants in Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville:
1. Why did BFN remove character variants?
BFN removed character variants to streamline the gameplay, focus on balance, and offer ability-based customizations. The developers aimed to reduce grinding and promote the mastery of a core group of heroes rather than collecting a multitude of variants.
2. What are ability variants in BFN?
Ability variants in BFN replace the base abilities of playable plants and zombies. These variants offer different tactical options for a character but don’t change the character’s basic weapon or stats.
3. How do you unlock ability variants in BFN?
Ability variants are unlocked through gameplay progression by leveling up characters rather than through purchasing character packs. This ensures a more consistent and less luck-based unlocking system.
4. How many playable characters are in BFN?
There are 20 playable characters in BFN: 10 Plants and 10 Zombies. This includes all characters from Garden Warfare 2, as well as three new characters on each side.
5. Why does BFN have a smaller roster of heroes than GW2?
BFN has a smaller roster to allow for better balancing and a deeper focus on each character's unique traits and tactical capabilities. The goal was to create a tighter, more refined experience.
6. Can you still get legendary characters in BFN?
Unlike GW2, BFN does not have legendary characters tied to random drops from packs. Character progression is earned through gameplay, allowing all players to potentially access all available abilities for their chosen character.
7. Were variants popular in Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, variants in GW2 were popular for their variety and the unique playstyles they offered, but they also created balancing issues and often resulted in players grinding for specific rare variants.
8. What are the benefits of no character variants in BFN?
The absence of character variants promotes balance, encourages character mastery, and reduces the feeling of a "pay-to-win" mechanic by eliminating random loot box variants.
9. Was BFN a sequel to Garden Warfare 2?
Yes, BFN is considered a direct sequel to Garden Warfare 2, although it's often viewed as a departure in terms of gameplay mechanics and overall design philosophy.
10. Why was BFN’s marketing poor?
BFN’s marketing was considered poor because the developers launched a trailer the same day the game was launched. This resulted in lower player engagement and made the game miss out on hype.
11. How does BFN differ from GW2 in terms of gameplay?
BFN prioritizes a more team-based tactical approach with fewer characters and more focus on ability customization, compared to the variant-heavy and sometimes more chaotic nature of GW2.
12. What caused the cancellation of support for BFN?
BFN was canceled due to low player counts, poor marketing, and budget constraints. Developers also ran out of budget over the course of updating the game.
13. When did BFN stop receiving updates?
BFN's last update was released on September 29, 2020. The game received regular content updates until its official launch but was ultimately abandoned after underperforming in the market.
14. Is BFN worth playing?
Whether BFN is worth playing depends on individual preference. It offers a streamlined, tactical multiplayer experience and some enjoy the ability-focused gameplay, but many missed the variants of previous titles.
15. How does BFN’s character system impact gameplay strategy?
The system in BFN promotes mastering character abilities and using them in conjunction with other players. It encourages team strategy and balanced gameplay, as opposed to the individual power approach often associated with variant systems.