Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a tower defense game where players defend their home while zombies approach from the right side of the screen. The player uses various plants with different abilities to combat the zombies.[2] Some plants attack zombies directly while others are designed to slow them down, allowing the player to attack them.
The game is set on a five-row grid, where the player places plants to prevent the zombies from reaching the end of each row. Plants are purchased using "sun," a currency obtained by clicking sun icons that randomly drop from the sky during daytime or are produced by certain plants, like Sunflowers. If a zombie breaches all lines of defense, a lawn mower—or other similar, relevant object—will activate and clear the row, but if the lawn mower has already been used, and another zombie crosses, the game is over.[3]
Replanted features
The remaster contains updated graphics and additional features, such as cut content previously only accessible from modifying the original game.[citation needed] The player is now able to speed up the game at will.[2] Originally introduced in the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 ports of the original game, two multiplayer modes have been ported: Co-op and Versus.[4][5][6] Both modes are local only; no online multiplayer is planned.[5]
Two additional game modes are introduced in Replanted. "Cloudy Day" is a set of additional non-linear levels in the Adventure campaign. During these levels, the amount of sun dropped from the sky and produced by plants is lowered. At certain times, raining clouds move over the lawn. While the clouds are present, all sun-producing plants fall asleep and sun does not fall from the sky. However, each plant's sun cost is halved and plant recharge times are greatly reduced.[citation needed] In "R.I.P. Mode", the main campaign is replayed, but the player is forced back to the beginning if a level is lost.[7]
Development
Replanted's existence was acknowledged in an interview with Janet Robin on the game's 16th anniversary, where she talked about being contacted by Electronic Arts to make a rendition for one of the game's original soundtracks for a remaster of the original game.[citation needed] The game was announced at a Nintendo Direct in late July 2025, available for pre-order. The game announced a high-quality remaster of the original game,[8] alongside bonus content.[9] A "retro Peashooter skin" was additionally given as an incentive for people who pre-ordered the game.[6][10] The game was showcased in PAX West on August 25, 2025, with early gameplay.[11]
None of the members of the original game's team were contacted or notified about Replanted. When a playable build of the game was leaked on October 17, 2025, data miners reportedly found assets that had been upscaled by artificial intelligence (AI),[citation needed] despite the official Twitter account's previous claims that AI was not used during development.[12] PopCap would later clarify that the game does not use generative AI.[13] Players reported multiple visual, behavioral, and audio bugs.[14] Composer of the original game's soundtrack Laura Shigihara criticized the remaster's lack of adaptive music present in the original, questioning why it was not present despite being a modern remaster being held by a larger team. Additionally, some of the concept art found in the game was confirmed to be fake by Rich Werner, the original game's graphics artist.[15] The outrage from fans resulted in an official response from PopCap acknowledging the issues and a patch update fixing several bugs from the leaked build.[citation needed]
IGN's Alessandro Fillari called it "a good way to get re-acquainted with one of the quirkiest puzzle-strategy games of the 2000s", while acknowledging its questionable decisions.[21]Shacknews' David Craddock said it was his favourite version of Plants vs. Zombies, stating, "...it packs everything fans loved about the original game, plus lots more." while justifying its $20 price.[4]The Verge described Replanted as "a time capsule from a simpler, happier time".[23] Kyle Hilliard from Game Informer praised its faithfulness, complimenting the new animations and character designs that did not alter its memorability.[2]
Final Weapon described the remake as solid, though criticised the lack of certain features and containing bugs that gate it from being excellent.[24] Ben Lyons from Gamereactor, who gave a 6/10 rating, stated it is the same game "...as you know and love it", despite believing the £18 price is not justified.[25]
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