Planted! is a chaotic party game that blends gardening simulation with competitive arena combat on PS5. Players sow seeds, nurture crops, and hurl produce at opponents or scoring goals in fast-paced matches that reward strategy and quick thinking alike.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around three phases: sowing, growing, and throwing. Players stake out patches of land in garden arenas, plant seeds, and tend to them by applying fertilizer or water to produce larger, higher-value harvests. Rivals can interfere by stealing crops or sabotaging growth, forcing constant vigilance. Once ready, produce gets launched across the arena to hit targets or disrupt enemies directly.
Powerups add layers of unpredictability, with a selection of twelve options that include explosive weed bombs and defensive spud turrets. These tools let players defend their plots, sabotage neighbors, or boost their own output mid-match. The result feels like a mix of harvest management and direct confrontation, where bigger crops become tempting targets for theft or attack.
Game Modes
Multiplayer supports up to four participants through local split-screen, online sessions, bots, and cross-play. Matches take place in arena-style battles where the goal is to outscore rivals by delivering produce to objectives while managing threats from others. Team formats allow cooperative play against opposing sides in some setups.
A dedicated solo campaign offers a separate story-driven experience. Players progress through a series of challenges and boss encounters in the competitive gardening scene, building skills that carry over to group play. This mode emphasizes personal improvement without relying on other participants.
Environments and Customization
Eight distinct biomes serve as battlegrounds, each featuring its own hazards and layout twists that alter how matches unfold. From standard allotments to more extreme settings like volcanic areas or unstable terrain, these spaces encourage adaptation in planting and throwing tactics.
A roster of twelve characters provides variety in appearance and playstyle. Each gardener brings a unique personality that influences how they approach the fields, giving matches a fresh feel depending on who joins the session.
Is It Worth Playing?
Planted! suits groups seeking lighthearted yet competitive sessions that mix planning with immediate action. The blend of resource management and direct confrontation creates replayable matches where tactics evolve based on opponents and map conditions. Local and online options make it accessible for friends gathering in one room or connecting remotely.
Those who enjoy party games with a creative twist will find the horticultural theme refreshing, especially when powerups turn ordinary gardens into zones of controlled mayhem. The single-player campaign provides a solid entry point for learning mechanics before jumping into multiplayer. With its focus on short, intense rounds and straightforward controls, the game rewards repeated play without demanding long commitments per session.
