Plants vs. Zombies returns

PopCap has announced that Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is now available in stores and for digital download on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via Origin.

The newest entry in the world’s wackiest shooter franchise features the expansive suburban region of Neighborville where another coniferous conflict between the brain-less and botanicals is brewing. The battle continues to bloom with three free-roam regions that will have players kicking grass beyond the town. With 20 fully customizable character classes, six glorious online multiplayer modes and the new Giddy Park social region, Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is blooming with freshly picked content.

“We’re thrilled for adventure-seeking neighbours around the world to fully experience our biggest and most accessible shooter ever with Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville,” said Rob Davidson, game director at PopCap in Vancouver. “We set out to release an early edition of our game that was available for six weeks before today so we could polish performance, listen to feedback and establish a more stable launch. We thank our fans for joining us on this journey.”

Like the previous Plants vs. Zombies shooter titles, over-the-top multiplayer gameplay continues to plant itself at the core of Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville with six online multiplayer modes including the new 4v4 Battle Arena in the Funderdome. Alongside returning character favourites such as Peashooter, Sunflower, Imp and Mech and Soldier, players will bring even more strategic depth to the all-out botanical battle with six newly-sprouted faces such as the flame-blowing Snapdragon, and a new zombie of few words and fewer thoughts, 80s Action Hero.

Ridiculous quests, vibrant cosmetics, and a familiar cast of zany characters are scattered across the game’s three free-roam regions, including the familiar central location of Neighborville Town Center, as well as adventuring through the outer edges of Neighborville in the hot and dusty Mount Steep, and the lush and strange Weirding Woods. Players can join forces in split-screen couch co-op and online co-op, whether it is battling through the flourishing free-roam regions or jumping into online multiplayer battles.

Additionally, players can jump down into the new Giddy Park social region in-between the action to engage in light multiplayer battles, while on different amusement park rides, or use the social board to interact with other players and group up. Giddy Park also includes a target range to test each character’s wildly different abilities and also a giant piano to play a catchy tune. Transformative monthly events such as October’s spooky Lawn of Doom Festival can also allow players to unlock seasonal cosmetic rewards and challenges.

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Standard Edition includes the full base game for $40. The Deluxe Edition includes 2 legendary costumes for Peashooter and 80s Action Hero, an exclusive Battle for Neighborville digital comic and 5 emojis for $50. Passionate fans who purchased the Founder’s Edition, an early edition of the game with exclusive cosmetic rewards, won’t miss a beat as their game progression transferred today to the full Standard Edition. Those who purchased the Founder’s Edition or Standard Edition can also upgrade to the digital Deluxe Edition for $10 today.

EA Access and Origin Access Basic subscribers can play up to 10 hours, along with 10% off the purchase of the full game. Origin Access Premier subscribers get all the benefits of Basic on top of full access to the game on PC for as long as they are subscribed.