Plants vs. Zombies Replanted leaks, and players are horrified by its poor AI upscaling
When a Nintendo Direct revealed a remaster of a popular tower defense game, fans were understandably excited. However, as marketing for Plants vs. Zombies Replanted began, gamers started sharing their concerns. Some observers suspected generative AI produced artwork or descriptions for the title.
Plants vs. Zombies Replanted will arrive on PC and consoles on October 23rd. Nevertheless, reportedly through the EA app, some players were able to access the game early. Then, several streams began on the franchise’s official Discord. Viewers immediately expressed disappointment about what they were witnessing.
Before the leak, EA and the remaster’s developers offered gameplay footage and artwork. With blurry textures and missing details, critics blamed a poor implementation of AI upscaling. Developers often use the technique to modernize visuals from older releases, but it can have undesirable side effects. Without human artists to correct the flaws, the result can be a shabby-looking port.
Adding to frustrations, the 2009 Plants vs. Zombies is still available with a Game of the Year Edition listed on Steam. Based on the leaked streams, the upgrade to higher resolutions may not be worth the modest $20 price.
Plants vs. Zombies Replanted didn't involve its creators
Another reason fans were skeptical of the project is that the original artists didn’t participate. As reported by GamesRadar, the creators, including Rich Werner, explained they would have been glad to help update the title. Gamers see the decision to exclude them as a cost-cutting measure from EA.
Some unfamiliar screenshots also appeared in an Art and Concept Library shared by the publisher. It denied relying on generative AI, stating that the source was an early concept of the game.
Generative AI has become a hot topic, as gamers fear it will eventually replace artists. AI upscaling, on the other hand, only refines existing images that EA has the rights to reuse. Regardless, if early impressions are accurate, Plants vs. Zombies Replanted may be quickly forgotten as a lazy remaster.
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