Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted Review – A Fresh Bloom of Familiar Fun

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted on PS5 Pro

When Plants vs. Zombies first shuffled onto PC screens back in 2009, it redefined casual strategy. Sixteen years later, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted attempts to reclaim that simple magic not by reinventing the lawn, but by trimming and polishing it. Developed by PopCap Games with support from The Lost Pixels, this remaster brings a brighter sheen, a few new twists, and the same quirky humour that made the original a cult classic from EA.

It’s a strange feeling returning to a game that once dominated our phones and desktops, but from the opening notes of that infectiously cheery soundtrack, Replanted wastes no time in reminding players why it became such a phenomenon in the first place.

Old Roots, New Soil

At its core, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is the same tower-defence gem you remember: sunlight is currency, plants are your defenders, and zombies still march with comedic persistence. Each wave demands quick decisions about resource use, timing, and lane coverage. The tension of watching your pea shooters and wall-nuts fend off a conga line of undead remains surprisingly addictive.

However, PopCap hasn’t stopped at visual upgrades. The entire game has been remade in crisp HD with smoother animations, new lighting, and minor tweaks to UI layout that make it feel modern without losing its cartoony charm. It’s remarkably sharp, particularly on newer consoles and PC displays. Even the menu art has been lovingly redrawn, giving long-time fans the sense that someone genuinely cared for this revival.

Most importantly, there’s new content. Not a massive overhaul, but enough to justify another stroll through the garden. Local co-op and PvP play headline the additions, allowing friends to either join forces against zombie waves or take control of the undead in versus mode. It’s hilarious but straightforward fun, the kind of feature that turns a coffee-table session into a shouting match over sunflower placements.

New challenge variants like Cloudy Day, which limits sunlight drops, and Rest in Peace mode, which introduces permadeath for your plant roster, shake up familiar levels. They add that welcome bit of replay tension for returning veterans who already know every wave pattern by heart.

What Blossoms

The best thing Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted does is preserve what made the games so timeless — its rhythm of short, satisfying victories. The loop of collecting sunlight, fending off zombies, and hearing that cheery Crazy Dave commentary still feels therapeutic. In an age where strategy games often demand spreadsheets, there’s something refreshingly straightforward about a game that trusts its charm to carry it.

The remaster also runs beautifully. Load times are near-instant, animations now glide at a consistent 60 FPS, and the function to speed up time is very welcomed. The re-orchestrated soundtrack is another highlight, subtly layering its original melodies with richer instrumentation. There’s a crispness to the experience that makes Replanted feel less like a museum piece and more like a freshly potted plant.

Where It Wilts

Still, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted can feel too faithful for its own good. Outside of the new challenge modes and co-op, there are few surprises. Long-time players will breeze through the campaign in a handful of hours, while newcomers may wonder why the remaster doesn’t experiment more. There are no brand-new plants or zombies, no expanded worlds, and no narrative framing to refresh its 2009 DNA.

The absence of online multiplayer is another missed opportunity. Couch co-op is delightful, but in 2025, it feels restrictive to confine multiplayer fun to local play. For a remaster that touts new accessibility, that decision limits its longevity.

Some fans have also expressed disappointment that PopCap didn’t involve original art staff in the remake, a minor but telling creative oversight that has sparked discussions about authenticity. While the remaster looks vibrant, it occasionally feels more like an external facelift than a labour of love from its creators.

Still Addictive

For all its caution, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted remains an irresistibly fun return to the lawn. It’s a reminder that tight design and personality outlast technical trends. PopCap’s choice to preserve rather than reinvent means the magic remains intact, even if innovation takes a back seat.

For those who grew up with the original or crave a charming, stress-free strategy fix, Replanted is an easy recommendation. For others hoping for a more daring reinvention, it might feel like déjà vu in HD.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.