The long awaited sequel to the run away success Plants Vs. Zombies is a free to play title available for iOS! Unfortunately, it’s not really all that free. As with all Free to Play games, players can use real money to unlock components. With Plants Vs. Zombies 2, unlocking all the main plants will cost 19 big ones! Everything else behind the paywall can be unlocked other ways but unfortunately these plants are:
- The Snow Pea
- Torchwood
- Squash
- Jalapeno
- Imitator
- and a newcomer, the Power Lily
Now, I understand, a free to play game is well, free, but this sounds more like a free to play, pay to win scenario. Not wholly unexpected considering the fact that Popcap now belongs to the dictators of DLC, EA. However, it’s a bit of dick move to have gameplay elements behind a forced paywall. I can totally get behind cosmetic elements, or even a few game modes being trapped in a paywall but seriously, main gameplay elements?
I would gladly pay a flat rate for the sequel! I loved the original Plants Vs. Zombies. It was fun, quirky and somewhat unique, but more importantly it was totally worth the $20 I spent on it.
I can’t stand paywalls that withhold gameplay elements. Seriously, does the industry really believe that piracy is such a problem that they think they can force us to purchase add ins? Especially when it’s an iOS game for crying out loud!
I will not be playing this sequel. I don’t care if it ends up being “The best game in the history of videogames,” I will not support the underhanded technique of paying to win.
If you ask me, Popcap and EA could stand to take a pointer from Valve. Team Fortress 2 is wildly popular and it’s free to play. Yet you can get almost any item for free via trading or crafting and the rest are strictly cosmetic.
Plants Vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time really is, all about time. Spend hours, grinding your way to victory only to hit a paywall for a significant chunk of gameplay.
Nice. Really nice, Popcap!
