Plants vs Zombies - Pop Cap / EA Swiss Sarl

This review of Plants vs Zombies was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 26 February 2014.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Plants vs Zombies contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

up to 2 - 9

App description

Plants vs Zombies is a tower defence game of strategy. The player must set up a series of defences, using plants, in order to destroy the incoming zombies. The aim is to prevent the zombies from reaching the player’s house.

Reviewers comments

The player must defend their home from the attacking zombies. The player has a number of plant defences (like pea shooters and spud mines) to select from.  The player earns sun points, by tapping on the suns as they appear on the screen. Collecting sun points enables them to select plants. They can then place their plant defences strategically on the screen in front of the house. As the zombies approach, they are slowed down by or are fired upon by the plants. Zombies are gradually weakened, fall apart and disappear. Plants may also need to be replaced as they are destroyed by the zombies. The aim is to destroy all the zombies, which come onto the screen slowly at first, but then in greater numbers.  Different types of zombies have different strengths. The various types of defensive plants have different capabilities. A line of lawn mowers stands as the last defence. Successfully defended challenges are rewarded by moving to the next level and players accumulate coins and may be awarded a new type of plant. If a zombie makes it through the defences and enters the house a message comes up on the screen to say “THE ZOMBIES ATE YOUR BRAINS!” The game is over and the player can try again. The challenges increase in difficulty and new challenges are introduced. This requires the player to consider the properties of the different zombies and the capabilities and range of the various types of defensive plants. Players also need to consider the placement of their defences for maximum effectiveness. Players must continue to respond quickly to tap the suns and coins as they appear on the screen and to continue planting defences as the zombies approach.  Players learn by trial and error. Players can view a list of Achievements to work towards. More play options can be unlocked.

In App purchasing

It is possible to buy extra coins for $0.99 to $4.49. The process to make a purchase requires moving through 3 screens before entering either card/debit card details or gift card number. Where GooglePlay credit already exists, the Google Account password is requested. Parents should be aware that if they enter the password, the player can make more than one purchase. The password remains valid for 30 minutes to continue purchasing, even after the game has been exited and resumed.

Online information

Players can change their username.

Gambling

None found in the levels reviewed.

Advertising and product placement

Players can click on a link to an online store which sells game merchandise. Players are presented with an ad for other game by the same developer.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

N/A.

Coarse language

N/A.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

N/A.

Other

Violence and scary material:
The zombies in this game are very cartoon style. However, they may frighten young children. There is cartoon violence as the zombies are shot at with peas etc and fall apart.

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