A while back a friend introduced me to a game called And Yet It Moves and shortly thereafter I found that all my free time had vanished. It got me thinking about the other simple little games that have wound up consuming me completely for extended periods of time such as World Of Goo and Peggle.

The latter title, Peggle, was created by a wonderful studio called PopCap Games that just released a new game this week that combines several intriguing elements.

Element One: Defensive Strategy. 
Element Two: Quick Reflexes. 
Element Three: Gardening & The Undead.

Plants vs. Zombies is a new take on the tower defense genre that asks you to harness your inner cranky old man as you attempt to protect the homestead by transforming your humble suburban yard into a flora fortified fortress.

The game begins with a freshly-sewn patch of sod and a pallet of plants, each with their own unique capabilities. You start off with the Sun Flower, which is the most basic unit in the game. Once planted these giant daises help generate sunshine, appearing on-screen as little floating cartoon suns, that you collect by clicking on them. After you accumulate enough sun points you can then use them to purchase the other plants in the game. Sun Flowers are one of the most essential units and are especially critical during night scenarios when they become your only source of solar energy.

In terms of firepower, one of the first units you get access to is a front firing canon called the Pea Shooter. This legume spewing turret, which bears a striking resemblance to Birdo from SMB 2, shoots a steady stream of ammo from whichever row and section you plant it in. In addition to artillery, the other two major types of combative units are various stationary defensive impediments used to temporarily block or disable the enemy, and a myriad of explosives, which do just what you’d expect them to.

There are many variations of these three unit types, each with a different cost and ability. As you progress you unlock more and more of these items, which is fortunate since your undead adversaries also continue to evolve.

The zombies come at you slowly at first, approaching in one of six rows and you have to make sure that each row has sufficient defenses to stop them from reaching your door at the end of the yard.  Sometimes your adversaries spread out and other times you’ll get several in the same row.  As time goes on the numbers increase and before you know it you’re dealing with an all-out infestation fighting desperately to keep up with the horde.

Beyond this brief description, the best way to understand the game is simply to play it, which you can do by downloading the free demo. (PC & Intel Mac, sorry Linux and PPC Mac users)

My own experience went something like this:

- Downloaded the demo last night and found myself amused for the first few minutes.

- Amusement quickly turned to determination as the walking dead began to swarm.

- Determination turned to engrossment as time began slipping away at an alarming pace.

- Realized I’d been loafing for half an hour and there was house work that needed doing.

- Reluctantly pulled myself away from computer to do some dishes.

- Accidentally left game running.

- Came back to game to discover that I’d burned through my hour of free playtime.

- Screen came up allowing me to buy the game and continue my lawn-defending quest.

- Utterly powerless to resist siren song of game.

- Purchased full Mac version and spent the next three hours playing.

- Found it very hard to leave for work this morning as I stared longingly at my laptop.

Those looking for other persuasive media beyond the demo can check out the trailer as well as this highly amusing music video.

I’m certain that many of you will become as addicted to this game as I have. It’s well worth the twenty bucks for the full version.

In the meantime, keep that grass clean, green and zombie free!

The neighborhood beautification council is counting on you!

-Quoth the Raven

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