Posts Tagged ‘popcap’
Plants vs. Zombies review — casual at its best
PopCap, developers and publishers of some of the most fun and addictive games today — especially when we’re talking about casual games — have released something that is destined as an instant cult classic. This time, they’ve given a new spin on the “Tower Defense” concept, where Zombies are on their way to invade your home, and all you have is a piece of lawn and some plants to defend your house. And what plants they are!
The gameplay is simple: place different types of plants — each with their strength and weaknesses — on the lawn (and back lawn, mind you) and try to stop the invading zombies. However, there are different zombies as well, for instance, some can pole vault over your defenses, while others can dig underground as well. Some can even raise dead zombies from the ground, so it’s always a challenge, and forces the player to mix it up. At the start of each game, you pick your seeds for the plants you want — but you have to chose wisely, as there are only a limited amount of slots, meaning a limited amount of plants you can use on a given level. As you progress, new plants are made available, each with their own special offensive and defensive capabilities, and there are 48 different plants in all.
Despite it being a cheap casual game, there are 50 levels in the game, and as you complete the levels, you get new features unlocked. As far as the enemies go, there are 26 types of zombies, which will give you plenty of challenge. On top of this, there are different modes as well, all in all, there’s more playing time to be had here than in most AAA titles. Granted, the few first levels in the game, actually, quite a few levels in the beginning are fairly easy, and some players might misunderstand the game as being too casual at this point. But keep playing, the challenging levels lie ahead, and they’re even more fun than the easy ones.
Technically, the game feels and looks like an advanced Flash game, but there’s nothing wrong with that, especially since Plants vs. Zombies is only priced at $10. The visuals are cute and suit the nature of the game, the sound effects are fun and the music is very moody and suitable for the game. However, as cute as the graphics are, they are not advanced by any means. For instance, you cannot get a higher resolution beyond 800×600, which is kind of a shame, really. But other than that, the game is smooth and bug free.
All in all, Plants Vs. Zombies is PopCap at its best. If you thought Peggle was addictive, this is a whole new level, and it’s gonna keep you playing for a long time. Definitely recommended to casual and hardcore gamers (who could probably use a little break from all the serious fragging — I sure could).
The Good:
Great fun
Lots of replay value
Cheap ($10)
Easy to get into
The Bad:
First half isn’t challenging
Only 800×600 resolution
Overall score: 9/10
Plants vs. Zombies claims title of PopCap’s fastest-selling game
The game was goofy as hell, PopCap’s take on a tower defense game pitting Plants vs. Zombies. Well, this comes as a surprise but PopCap has announced the game to be their fastest-selling game of all time. Yes, even more than Peggle and Bejeweled.
PopCap attributes Plants vs. Zombies‘ success to the unqiue gameplay and ability to hold its value even after the player has progressed through the story mode.
Good job PopCap, you’ve succeeded at making another casual game to rival the addictiveness of World of Warcrack Warcraft.
Read (Joystiq)
Peggle released for iPhone
PopCap’s Peggle has been released on the iPhone and iPod touch for just $4.99. Peggle has been a hit on both the DS, PC and Xbox 360, ever since it was released, back in 2007.
The iPhone and iPod touch version feature a redesigned user interface, touch capabilities (doh!), a zoom function and several new types of style shots. It’s available in the App store now.
Plants vs. Zombies available now
If you liked what you saw in yesterday’s Plants vs. Zombies demo you’ll be happy to hear that PopCap has today released the game in its entirety.
For those who don’t know, Plants vs. Zombies arms players with an arsenal of different plants in a classic tower defense type game. You know the drill, place a unit and watch as they try to take out the onslaught of, in this case, zombies.
PopCap has Plants vs. Zombies listed at $19.95 but if you head over to Steam you’ll be able to get it for the introductory price of $9.99
Plants vs Zombies Duke it Out in Demo
Going up against zombies this time are plants in PopCap’s defense force game. To let gamers get a taste of what to expect, they have released a tiny demo that lets you play the game for thirty minutes.
Those who want to get more of Plants vs. Zombies action can shell out $19.95 to purchase the full version today. PopCap has a “PLANTS10″ coupon code that knocks 10% off their stated price. However, if you’re feeling frugal, there’s always Steam, which is selling the game for half price – $9.99.
The full version will unlock tomorrow. Those who pre-order will also receive Heavy Weapon.
PopCap releases Peggle add-on for World of Warcraft
You thought that World of Warcraft was addicting enough in its current state? Try this on for size — It was recently announced that PopCap, creator of popular games like Bejeweled, has released an official Peggle add-on for Blizzard’s World of Warcraft.
Yep, you heard me right; Peggle in World of Warcraft, 2 of the arguably most addicting games combined into 1 convenient package.
You’ll apparently be able to face off in Peggle against other World of Warcraft players and use the outcome to determine who can claim loot drops. Don’t worry though, the regular game is there except the stages are based on locations from World of Warcraft.
You can snag the download here.
Read (WoW Insider)
Peggle coming to Xbox this month
From MSNBC.com’s Casual Game of The Year award to the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Overall Game of the Year award, Peggle had made quite a name for itself.
Well, it looks like Peggle is looking to make an even bigger name for itself as it was recently announced that it is finally coming to the Xbox Live Arcade.
The game will be available in 2 forms, both digital and physical. The digital version of the game will cost 800 Microsoft Points. The physical version, on the other hand, will ship in a bundle called PopCap Arcade Volume 2 which also includes Feeding Frenzy 2 and Heavy Weapon.
Watch out for Peggle on Xbox towards the end of this month.
Read (Kotaku)
PopCap aquires Gastronaut studios
It seems PopCap Games is taking a lesson from EA; world domination.
It was recently announced that the once small time game developer, PopCap, has recently bought out Gastronaut Studios who developed XBLA titles such as Small Arms and Gel: Set & Match.
Maybe 20 years in the future PopCap will buyout EA? Ok, maybe not, but you get the point.
Read (Joystiq)
Peggle DS Gets Release Date
Wired reports that the DS version of PopCap’s much-loved ball-bouncing PC game will arrive in store shelves on March 3, 2009.
In development at Q Entertainment – the studio behind Rez – and dubbed Peggle: Dual Shot, the game will make use of the DS’s unique features and pack “a wealth of surprise additions sure to please die-hard fans and novice players alike.”