Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is a third-person shooter from PopCap Games. Plants and zombies face off in team battles, explore larger areas and complete missions together. Unlike the series' original tower defense game, the focus is on directly controllable characters and their individual abilities.

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville was released in October 2019 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The European PlayStation version came out on Oct 17, the PC version on Oct 18. The Complete Edition for Nintendo Switch followed on March 19, 2021.

Native versions exist for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. On Switch the game was released as the Complete Edition with its own control options and reworked unlocks. Playing the PS4 or Xbox One versions on newer consoles does not mean a standalone PS5 or Xbox Series version.

Characters attack in real time from a third-person perspective. Each class combines a standard weapon with special abilities, whose timing and cooldowns are crucial in battle. Alongside direct firefights, support abilities, mobility and the interplay between different characters shape the matches.

The Deluxe Edition includes, in addition to the main game, costumes for Pea Cannon and the 80s Action Hero, five emotes and a digital comic. On other platforms there were also separate cosmetic add-on packs such as the Deluxe Upgrade. The Complete Edition for Switch, by contrast, relies on content you unlock by playing.

On PC, the game requires a 64-bit Windows system, DirectX 11 and 15 GB of free storage. As minimum, Steam lists an Intel Core i3-3220 or AMD FX-4350, 4 GB RAM, and a GeForce GT 640 or Radeon HD 7730. Recommended are 8 GB RAM, a Core i5-3570 or FX-6100, and a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon R9 285. Steam also lists an EA account and the EA app as requirements.

At launch, 20 freely customizable character classes were available, including characters designed specifically for team play for both factions. The Complete Edition for Switch includes 23 customizable characters. The range runs from offensive fighters to support and specialized team roles. Cosmetic items change the look of the characters.

The original versions offer six competitive online modes. These include larger battles with up to 24 participants and Battle Arena, designed for smaller teams, with four versus four. On Switch, online matches are planned with eight versus eight players. Which version is playable depends on platform and mode.

Giddy Park is the shared meeting point between missions and battles. Three larger areas – Weirding Woods, Mount Steep and Neighborville Town Center – offer their own enemies, tasks, bosses and collectibles. The regions combine exploration with cooperative PvE battles.

In the freely explorable regions, up to four people can team up in a group. On PS4 and Xbox One there is also local multiplayer with split screen. According to Steam, the PC version does not support split screen. On Switch, content can be played offline, while online battles require a connection.

Playing and completing tasks unlocks customization options for characters. Outfits, accessories and other cosmetic rewards are different from the combat-relevant class abilities. The Switch Complete Edition lets you unlock characters and cosmetic content by playing, without a premium shop or premium currency.

The Switch version, released on March 19, 2021, bundles the main game with later added content. It includes twelve reward cards, 23 characters and cosmetic items as unlockable content. Motion controls for aiming and playing in handheld mode are among its platform features. The port was developed with support from QLOC.