We wish they wouldn't do this. Over the past few months, it seems to have become something of a trend in the world of games to announce a game without actually announcing anything - or even worse, announcing an announcement. Setting pulses racing, while making our job that much harder, EA have uploaded a teaser trailer that confirms one of the most acclaimed and successful casual games of all time, Plants vs Zombies, will finally be getting a sequel this Summer. As the trailer below explains, Plants vs. Zombies: It's About Time will be released in July, and, well, that's pretty much all that has been revealed so far, with the short announcement video containing nothing in the way of info or game footage, instead using a selection of irate talking heads to poke fun at the long wait for a sequel players have had to endure - talk about a teaser!
When it was released on Apple devices in 2009, the original Plants vs. Zombies managed to bring the tower defence games to the masses, having gone on to appear on practically every platform going. Placing you squarely in the wellies of an average homeowner during a zombie invasion, it was up to you to use your horticultural skills to defend against wave after wave of mindless zombies, by growing an impenetrable collection of unusual plants. Some plants fire projectiles, walnuts act as defensive barriers, while sunflowers provide the sunshine you need to plant more "troops" - and it's up to you to balance your defensive greenery to see off the brainless hordes. Think chess with zombie pole-vaulters, frozen pea shooters and a wry sense of humour and you're half way there. While tower defence games can sometimes be off-puttingly complicated, Plants vs. Zombies managed to be instantly accessible, thanks to its cartoony visuals, excellent tutorial, and the way it drip-feeds new plants and abilities at a steady pace. Once you're able to use all of the available plants, you'll feel like some kind of zombie-slaying Alan Titchmarsh, which has to be a good thing.
Sadly the teaser video for the new game doesn't give us much to go on in terms of what will be different in the sequel. The game's subtitle, It's About Time, while serving as a little in-joke to fans who have waited years for a new instalment, could also give hints as to the game itself. Time travel could play a part in the game's setting - beating back the zombie hordes in historical locations perhaps, or maybe there could be a time controlling mechanic to play around with, allowing you to reverse time to correct mistakes. Or we could just be speculating because we've got nothing else to go on. There's no info about platforms for Plants Vs. Zombies 2 just yet, but we expect it to pop up iOS and Android devices, and most likely consoles and PC too.
While developers PopCap aren't quite ready to spill the beans (brains?) just yet, with a July release announced, and the new Facebook game Plants Vs. Zombies Adventures coming soon too, there's never been a better time to dust off your trowel.
