Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted brings the 2009 PopCap classic into sharp HD on PlayStation 5, letting players relive the quirky garden defense that sparked a phenomenon. Stepping into Crazy Dave’s shoes, players face waves of zombies with an arsenal of plants, from pea shooters to wall‑nuts, in the familiar lane-based format. The remaster balances nostalgia with new content, offering a modern take on a timeless formula.
The visual overhaul is immediately striking. Sprites and environments are upscaled to crisp HD, with characters appearing more expressive and animations smoother. The backyard feels more spacious, and the upgraded graphics enhance both clarity and charm without losing the original’s personality. While most assets are polished, some have been upscaled rather than fully redrawn, giving the visuals a slightly inconsistent texture in certain areas.
Gameplay remains faithful to the original while introducing meaningful additions. The Adventure mode retains its core structure, but new modes such as “Cloudy Day,” where sunlight is limited, require careful planning and resource management. The permadeath “Rest in Peace” mode raises tension by punishing mistakes severely, adding a hardcore option for veterans and players seeking a challenge. These changes enrich replay value without compromising the accessible design that made the game popular.
Controls translate smoothly to PS5, with gamepad input feeling intuitive. Radial menus make plant selection quick and accurate, and placement on the grid is precise. While the game was initially designed for mouse and keyboard, the controller implementation preserves responsiveness and ensures the gameplay loop remains satisfying.
Audio remains a key part of the experience. The original quirky soundtrack and sound effects are preserved, maintaining the game’s playful atmosphere. However, the adaptive layering that intensifies the music as zombies approach is simplified, making the soundscape less dynamic than in the original. Despite this, music and effects continue to complement the visuals and gameplay rhythm effectively.
Additional content enhances the core experience. Classic minigames like Wall‑Nut Bowling return with HD polish, local co‑op allows two players to defend the backyard together, and a versus mode lets one player control zombies against another controlling plants. A new Art and Concept Library offers a behind-the-scenes look at development, showcasing sketches and early designs that add historical context to the franchise.
Some repetition is inevitable: after multiple levels, the loop of planting and defending can feel familiar, and the core gameplay does not radically evolve beyond the original. The combination of nostalgia, visual upgrades, and added modes makes the remaster worthwhile, but it remains fundamentally the same game at heart.
Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted succeeds in blending classic tower defense fun with modern presentation. Its HD visuals, refined controls, and expanded modes provide a lively, accessible experience, while the new challenges and library content reward exploration and mastery. It is a nostalgic return to the backyard brawl, polished for a new generation but still recognizable to longtime fans.
Score: 7.8/10
Press Play Media 