Draft:Plants vs. Zombies 3
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|  |
| Plants vs. Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | PopCap Games |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Series | Plants vs. Zombies |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android |
| Release | iOS
|
| Genre(s) | Tower defense |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plants vs. Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia (abbreviated as PvZ3) is a 2024 tower-defense video game as the third installment of the franchise's linear tower-defense genre. developed by PopCap Games and published by Electronic Arts, released for Android and iOS mobile devices. The game went through multiple testing phases and major art styles throughout its development.
History[edit]
Pre-Alpha and 2020 Soft Launch[edit]
The game's pre-alpha stage, revealed on July 16, 2019, was accessible to a limited player base in specific regions. This initial iteration introduced several major departures from its predecessors, drawing criticism from the community. Notably, the shift to portrait mode was deemed restrictive by players accustomed to the landscape orientation offered in prior installments. The 3D art style, inspired by Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville, also met with disapproval, impacting performance and aesthetics. Furthermore, the removal of Sunflowers and introduction of an automatic sun generator, coupled with the simplified sun economy, deviated from established gameplay mechanisms, fueling player discontent. The reintroduced leveling system, unlike its PvZ2 counterpart, became central to progression, forcing players to continually upgrade plants to counter artificially amplified zombie strength. The pre-alpha phase concluded on February 10, 2022, followed by a soft launch in select countries on February 25, 2020. However, persistent criticism ultimately led to the game's withdrawal on November 18, 2020, prompting PopCap to undertake a comprehensive rework.
The Rework[edit]
The reworked version of PvZ3 addressed many of the player community's grievances. Landscape mode and the ability to plant Sunflowers were reinstated, while the art style underwent a substantial shift, reverting from 3D to 2D. Additionally, several pre-alpha features were either redesigned or scrapped altogether. The inclusion of characters from the Plants vs. Zombies comics served as a welcome surprise for fans. Despite these positive changes, criticisms persisted. The hybrid 2D-3D animation approach for moving objects, particularly zombies, resulted in awkward visuals. Level design was also subject to scrutiny, with criticisms centering on excessive brevity and occasional overwhelming difficulty necessitating power-up reliance. Notably, the pre-selected deck system replaced player agency in choosing plants, a decision that drew further disapproval.
Furthermore, the storyline and game design drew comparisons to Homescapes. Level completion awards "Taco Tickets" analogous to stars, facilitating narrative progression and Neighborville restoration. Players noted the presence of three selectable and modifiable decorative options, along with an infinite lives reward system.
Story[edit]
The narrative revolves around Crazy Dave's niece, Patrice Blazing, returning from summer camp to a Zomburbia-rechristened Neighborville. Dr. Edgar Zomboss's takeover has forced Dave into unconsciousness, leaving Mo the robot lawn mower as Patrice's only ally. The player assumes the role of rebuilding Neighborville and defending their lawn from Zomboss's zombie hordes.
Gameplay[edit]
The game adheres to the core tower-defense principles established in its predecessors. Players strategically place plants on a 5x9 grid to repel waves of zombies, protecting their brain from consumption. Each level offers a pre-determined deck of plants, alongside optional boosts and power-ups for overcoming challenging situations. Level completion rewards Taco Tickets, propelling narrative advancement. Environmental variations further diversify gameplay, introducing elements like non-sodded tiles, water obstacles, and slanted terrain that impede direct attacks.