This was originally posted on the now-defunct Random Fury! videogame blog.
Well, in my original summation I was wrong on both counts as to what the subtitle actually referenced. “It’s About Time” quite clearly references the fact that you have to plow some serious man-hours into this game if you want to get anywhere without paying. I did mention in the first piece that the content wasn’t hidden behind a paywall, but rather behind some grinding – little did I realise exactly how much grinding! I have actually lost interest in playing the game because most of the levels are so similar.
I would quite happily pay for a streamlined version where levels don’t repeat themselves so often, a version where you don’t have to repeat similar levels so often, a version in which new plants come at a steadier pace. So many of the levels have the same cast of zombies, and having to play these levels repeatedly to get keys to unlock more plants is very, very tedious. After a week of on and off playing I still find myself using the same plants on every level, not through choice, but simply because I have no real viable alternatives. At first I thought keys would be plentiful – Consider that a lesson on how to be wrong.
It’s strange. Even though I would be willing to pay £10 for a rebalanced version of the game, there’s something inside me that refuses to pay that much in several smaller increments. I think it’s a combination of principles and a few sour experiences of other games with a very “in your face” approach to in-app-purchasing. While this game doesn’t force its purchasable short-cuts on you, a lot of other games do, and to give in to one is to admit that we are ok with this system.
As I said earlier, I would prefer a much tighter experience with more generous gifting of new plants and less repetition – basically, more like the first game.
