What should have been a triumphant return for a beloved classic has turned into a PR nightmare. Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, the upcoming remaster of the iconic tower defense game, leaked via the EA app just days before its official release. And to put it mildly, fans are not happy. The game, intended as a celebration, is being described as a buggy, poorly-upscaled mess, leaving many to wonder what went so wrong.
A Garden of Glitches
The leak allowed players to access the game early, and streams quickly popped up on Discord and other platforms. The verdict was swift and brutal. According to reports from those who played it, the remaster is plagued with issues. The biggest problems stem from some truly bizarre development decisions.
Instead of rebuilding the beloved original PC version, it appears Replanted is a Unity port of the old Windows Phone edition. Why the team chose this obscure, less feature-rich version as the foundation is a mystery to everyone. This strange choice seems to be the source of many of the game’s problems, including a host of bugs and performance issues that make it feel unstable and unfinished.
The AI Upscaling Disaster
One of the most glaring issues is the visual quality. The game was marketed as an HD remaster, but what players found was blurry textures and a generally sloppy look. This is reportedly due to a poor implementation of AI upscaling. While this technique can be used to modernize old graphics, it requires a careful human touch to fix artifacts and errors. In Replanted, that final polish appears to be missing entirely.
The result is a game that, in many ways, looks worse than the 2009 original, which is still widely available. The charm of the original’s art style has been lost in a sea of muddy, algorithm-generated visuals, a far cry from the crisp remaster fans were hoping for.
Cutting Corners and Alienating Creators
The controversy doesn’t stop with technical problems. Before the leak, fans were already wary when it was revealed that the original creative team, including artist Rich Werner, had no involvement. Werner himself stated he would have been happy to help. This decision was seen by many as a cost-cutting measure by EA.
Things got worse when EA released what it called “early concept art” for the game. Rich Werner publicly called the sketches “BS,” pointing out that one design was a later replacement he created quickly, so no early concepts for it could possibly exist. This suggests the art was either AI-generated or, more likely, ripped from a different game like Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, further pointing to a rushed and careless production.
Official Promises vs. Leaked Reality
The disappointment is even sharper when you compare the leaked game to what was officially promised. EA’s marketing hyped up Replanted as the definitive version, complete with new game modes like local co-op, PvP, and new solo challenges. A cringey trailer featuring fake streamers tried to build hype for the $20 release.
But with the original Game of the Year edition still available on Steam for a lower price, and in a much better state, EA will have a hard time convincing players to pay for what looks like a broken, inferior version of a game they already love.
FAQs
What is Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted?
It’s an official remaster of the original 2009 game, scheduled for release on PC and consoles on October 23, 2025.
How did the game leak?
Players were reportedly able to access and download the full game early through the official EA App on PC.
What are the main issues with the leaked game?
The game is reportedly a buggy port of the Windows Phone version, suffering from poor AI upscaling, blurry graphics, and performance problems.
Was the original creative team involved?
No. The original artists and creators were not involved in the remaster, which has been a major point of contention for fans.
Is the AI art controversy true?
While there were concerns about generative AI, the main visual issue appears to be a low-quality implementation of AI upscaling on existing assets. The controversial “concept art” was also debunked by the original artist.
Should I still buy the game?
Based on the widespread negative reception to the leak, many are suggesting to hold off on pre-orders. The original Game of the Year edition is still considered the superior experience and is available on Steam.
Conclusion
The leak of Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted has been a case study in how not to handle a beloved classic. What should have been an easy win has become a symbol of corporate corner-cutting and a disconnect from what players actually want. Unless EA can pull off a miraculous day-one patch that fixes the mountain of issues, this is one plant that seems dead on arrival. For now, it seems the best way to enjoy Plants vs. Zombies is to stick with the original.