Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted made its debut in October, offering a visually enhanced experience of the beloved original game. While it presents itself as a higher-resolution and more premium version of the classic, it has not entirely won over the hearts of its dedicated fanbase. For those eager to enjoy the game on a Steam Deck, it certainly delivers a satisfactory experience.
However, the remaster has faced criticism, particularly regarding its musical composition. The original Plants vs. Zombies featured a dynamic soundtrack that adapted to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. In a puzzling move, EA opted to remove this feature in Replanted, opting instead for a constant “high intensity” version of the music. This decision did not go unnoticed; even Laura Shigihara, the original composer, expressed her disappointment. The result was a stark contrast in reception, with Replanted landing a sub-50% “mixed” rating on Steam, compared to the “overwhelmingly positive” feedback for the Game of the Year Edition.
I created the music in Plants vs. Zombies with the specific intention of it being dynamic. Instruments gradually appear to match the intensity of zombies & prevent audio fatigue.Replanted Level 1-1: ALL THE DRUMS RIGHT AWAYYears later + bigger team -> dynamic audio gone? 😑October 18, 2025
In response to the backlash, the recent 1.3.0 patch has reinstated the “classic and plantastic Dynamic Audio,” alongside a handful of other fixes. While some may view this adjustment as a minor enhancement, the community’s reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Nevertheless, players continue to voice concerns regarding various issues, including achievements, the absence of online co-op play, and other nuanced glitches.
Looking ahead, EA has announced that the next patch, 1.4.0, is nearing completion and is expected to roll out within the next two weeks. This update promises to introduce new features, such as the ability for controller users to collect sun by squeezing a trigger, while also addressing lingering bugs and gameplay issues. Further details will be shared as the release date approaches.
Audio
- ○ Added Dynamic Audio to the level music so it no longer always plays at the highest intensity version (perfect time for a blindfolded run)
- ○ Minigame, Puzzle, Survival, and Almanac menus now play the correct music instead of the previous menu’s music
- ○ Sound effects no longer overlap menu music at higher game speeds
- ○ Added missing menu open SFX for Pause Menu
- ○ Collecting Sun has a wider range of audio played
General
- ○ [Vs Mode] Plant and Zombie tooltips now properly appear when using controllers during match selection
- ○ Retro Zombies no longer unexpectedly jump or teleport ahead during movement (Dr. Zomboss got us good with this one)
- ○ Disabling Vsync no longer impacts Mouse cursor speed
- ○ Fixed plants showing incorrectly when collecting sun while dragging them to be placed with Touch inputs
- ○ Dr. Zomboss no longer signs his notes with a comma after his name (We wonder if Tugboat was forging those notes for him)
- ○ Various text string fixes
- ○ Cards are hidden properly after Planterns are eaten in Vasebreaker
- ○ Fixed various visual issues with Magnet-Shroom grabbing items
- ○ Fixed a few Controller prompts showing incorrectly when not using controllers for input
- ○ Flags now raise properly when reached on the Level Progress bar
- ○ Fixed Conveyor Belt sizing to show all 10 slots
