Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 gets a Backyard Battleground social hub

The original Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare was an incredibly fun, but somewhat overlooked online multiplayer shooter for consoles and the PC. The sequel, aptly titled Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, looks to ratchet up the crazy factor quite a bit by adding a whole lot more to do in the game.

A good example is the newest feature which was unveiled earlier today: the Backyard Battleground social space and interactive environment. It’s more of an playground and hub for you and your friends, and less of a game, but it still sounds like a whole lot of fun.

EA and PopCap also revealed that those who pre-order the game can get access to BioWare’s Grass Effect Z7-Mech on day one when it launches in early 2016.

Check out the latest trailer and a selection of new screens from gamescom below.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 Plant Gameplay on Moon Base Z | Gamescom 2015:

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 screens:

PopCap Games, creator of some of the world?s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc., today announced Backyard Battleground, an all new dynamic hub in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2. This interactive environment connects players to every map and mode, and brings to life all new ways to experience the Plants vs. Zombies universe through solo and social play. As soon as the game starts, players will be immersed in a wild playground with dynamic events and tons to discover and do. They can invite up to three friends into their Backyard Battleground to do almost anything they want ? take on daily quests, complete missions for Crazy Dave and Dr. Zomboss, interact with some of their favorite Plants vs. Zombies characters, ignite an all-out war by crossing over enemy lines and much more. The Backyard Battleground is an immersive hub unlike anything that has been in a Plants vs. Zombies game before.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is partnering with BioWare on an intergalactic pre-order*. Fans who pre-order the game will get access to a new Grass Effect Z7-Mech when they start Garden Warfare 2. Crafted by Dr. Zomboss, and inspired by one of the development team?s most favorite videogame franchises, this mech will help ensure Zomburbia?s galactic future. Gamers will have a blast playing with what was built to be the best-looking bane of plants everywhere. The Z7-Mech comes strapped with tools like the melee Zomni-tool, as well as interlocking ceramic plate armor with kinetic padding. This character is designed to augment tech, biotic, and weapons damage.

The battle for Suburbia reaches crazy new heights in Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2.  For the first time in franchise history, zombies have taken over Suburbia and plants are on the attack. Each faction has enlisted new characters to join the fight, including Rose, an all-powerful sorceress from the past that can turn zombies into playable goats and Captain Deadbeard, a crusty pirate that has been adrift for hundreds of years. All the over-the-top fun takes place across 12 new immersive maps that are bursting with personality and humor, spanning everything from a Time Travel Theme Park to Moon Base Z. Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 taps into the heart of what fans loved about the original and goes above and beyond to deliver the funniest, craziest, most over-the-top shooter.