Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition

Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition is widely praised as a fun, colorful, and engaging multiplayer shooter that builds creatively on its predecessor. Players appreciate its diverse character roster, balanced gameplay mechanics, and the unique Backyard Battleground hub that offers an open-world sandbox experience with quests and activities. The game is noted for its cartoonish art style, humor, and a variety of multiplayer modes including PvP and co-op, which keep gameplay fresh and enjoyable.

However, the game suffers from a lack of ongoing developer support, leading to no recent updates and a dwindling player base in some regions, especially outside North America and Europe. Cheating and hacking issues plague multiplayer matches, diminishing the experience for some. Technical issues such as connectivity problems, especially on Linux and Steam Deck due to EA's anti-cheat, also affect playability. Despite these drawbacks, fans regard it as a nostalgic masterpiece with lasting appeal.

Highlights

Players particularly praise the game's diverse and balanced gameplay mechanics, which allow for multiple playstyles across numerous unique character classes. The Backyard Battleground is celebrated as an innovative, feature-rich hub that enhances solo and casual play. The cartoonish graphics and humorous tone contribute significantly to the game's charm, making it accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience. Multiplayer modes such as Turf Takeover and Team Vanquish remain engaging, with well-designed maps and smooth controls. Many players also commend the extensive customization options and character variants that add replayability.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the lack of developer updates and official support, which has caused some game modes to become unplayable or removed. The shrinking player base outside of North American servers limits matchmaking and multiplayer enjoyment. Cheating and hacking are frequently reported, harming the competitive experience. Technical issues such as connection problems, especially on Linux and Steam Deck due to anti-cheat incompatibilities, frustrate players. Some find the progression grind and gacha elements tedious, and a few mention that the game can feel repetitive after extended play.