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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Plants vs. Zombies™ vs Brain Out -Tricky riddle games

Plants vs. Zombies™ 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Plants vs. Zombies™
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games 4.6★ · Free + IAP 55

Plants vs. Zombies™ is the better choice for classic tower defense gameplay, despite its significant ad issues, while Brain Out -Tricky riddle games offers unique puzzles but is plagued by an even more aggressive ad experience.

Full reviews: Plants vs. Zombies™ · Brain Out -Tricky riddle games

Plants vs. Zombies™ is a beloved classic tower defense game, praised for its nostalgic value and engaging gameplay, but recent updates have introduced numerous ads and performance issues. Brain Out -Tricky riddle games offers creative and challenging puzzles, but its user experience is severely hampered by an overwhelming number of long ads and some unclear hints.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay edge: Plants vs. Zombies™R2R8R14R20
Plants vs. Zombies™ Users consistently praise Plants vs. Zombies™ for its fun, addictive, and nostalgic gameplay, with many having played it for years R2R8R14R20. The game's core mechanics and mini-games are highlighted as enjoyable .
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games Brain Out is recognized for its creative, interesting, and unique puzzles that encourage out-of-the-box thinking . However, some users find the puzzles too easy , too challenging , or illogical , and hints are often unhelpful .
Ad Experience tieR1R3R4R7
Plants vs. Zombies™ Plants vs. Zombies™ is heavily criticized for an excessive number of ads, appearing between every level, after every button click, and even for basic game functions like lawnmowers R1R3R4R7. Some users report ads crashing the game or being impossible to close R3.
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games Brain Out also suffers from a severe ad problem, with users reporting ads after every riddle, every 5 seconds, or after every click . Many ads are described as long (30+ seconds) and more time-consuming than solving the puzzles .
Reliability and Performance edge: Plants vs. Zombies™R3R6R9R10
Plants vs. Zombies™ Multiple users report Plants vs. Zombies™ crashing, freezing, or not loading past the splash screen, especially on iOS devices R3R6R9R19. There are also complaints about lost progress after reinstalling the app R6R10R19.
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games Brain Out users mention occasional lags and some puzzles not being beatable . One review also mentions the game attempting to charge money without interaction .
Updates and Content tieR16R18R33R35
Plants vs. Zombies™ Some Plants vs. Zombies™ users express disappointment with recent developer changes, including the removal of lawnmowers and the introduction of more ads R16R18R33R35. There's also a suggestion for new worlds .
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games Brain Out receives criticism for not updating with new levels for years, despite claims of updates . Users who have completed all challenges find the game repetitive .
Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R3R16R18
Plants vs. Zombies™ Plants vs. Zombies™ is free with in-app purchases, but many users feel the aggressive ad monetization and microtransactions have ruined the game, especially for those who originally paid for it R1R18R40R55. The game pushes ads to unlock features like lawnmowers R3R16R33.
Brain Out -Tricky riddle games Brain Out is also free with in-app purchases, and users feel forced to pay to remove the overwhelming number of ads . Hints, which are often necessary due to illogical puzzles, require watching multiple ads .
Pick Plants vs. Zombies™ if

You enjoy classic tower defense games and are willing to tolerate frequent ads or play offline to avoid them R3. You value nostalgic gameplay and a well-established game world R8.

Pick Brain Out -Tricky riddle games if

You are looking for a unique and challenging puzzle game that requires creative thinking . You don't mind an extremely aggressive ad experience or are prepared to pay to remove ads .

Evidence note: Both apps suffer from severe ad monetization issues, making it difficult to recommend either without significant caveats. The lifetime ratings are high for both, but recent reviews are heavily skewed negative due to ads and performance problems.

Frequently asked

Are Plants vs. Zombies™ and Brain Out free to play?
Yes, both Plants vs. Zombies™ and Brain Out -Tricky riddle games are free to download and play, but they include in-app purchases and rely heavily on ads for monetization R1R18R40R55.
Do these games have a lot of ads?
Yes, both games are heavily criticized for having an excessive number of ads; Plants vs. Zombies™ shows ads between every phase and for features like lawnmowers, while Brain Out displays ads after almost every riddle, with many being long R3R13R37R49.
Are there performance issues with Plants vs. Zombies™?
Yes, many users report Plants vs. Zombies™ crashing, freezing, or failing to load, particularly on iOS devices, and some have experienced losing all game progress after reinstalling R3R6R9R19.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Plants vs. Zombies™ 5/5 · US I like the game: This game made me happy and my head liked it so I like it
  2. [R8] Plants vs. Zombies™ 5/5 · US 10/10 og game: Iv been playing this since 2016
  3. [R14] Plants vs. Zombies™ 5/5 · US Best game I’ve played😎🤩: This is the best game I’ve played!!! I love this game and im addicted very fun game and i recommend it
  4. [R20] Plants vs. Zombies™ 5/5 · US so fun: ive play for so long
  5. [R1] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US EA has utterly ruined this masterpiece: Micro transaction cancer that EA is to this game
  6. [R3] Plants vs. Zombies™ 3/5 · US Ads crashing game: PvZ is a good game but the ads are too much I understand this is how games make their money but if you play on IOS your forced to play with the WiFi off because your game will crash if you get an add and the fact the you need to watch ads if you want to have all your lawn mowers is crazy
  7. [R4] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Muchos anuncios: Cada nivel te comes demasiados anuncios es muy fastidioso 👎
  8. [R7] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Plants vs. Zombies: Was, a good game until between every phase ads kickass.
  9. [R6] Plants vs. Zombies™ 3/5 · US Very fun game for road trips: Rating isn’t 5 star because I got like 2 hours in, then the game wouldn’t get past the loading screen after waiting 10 minutes and restarting multiple times. Had to delete, lose all my progress then restart
  10. [R9] Plants vs. Zombies™ 3/5 · US Bug or Crashing out?: I love this game, i’ve downloaded and played this game a million times. The only problem i’m having right now is that it loads into the game but as soon as i go to play a new level like pool, the app crashes and send me to my home screen:(
  11. [R10] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Amazing game: Amazing game dude been playing since I was 5 years old but would love if you saved progression if uninstalled
  12. [R16] Plants vs. Zombies™ 2/5 · US It decent 😒: It’s still pvz but this is What? we have now it’s mostly sad to many ads now 3 levels per day and tacking lawnmowers behind ads!
  13. [R18] Plants vs. Zombies™ 3/5 · US To many ads: Every button you click or do something there are to many ads I bought it originally and I don’t remember any ads so ea do better
  14. [R33] Plants vs. Zombies™ 3/5 · GB THE LAWNMOWERS: I would’ve given 4 but you removed 2 lawnmovers from the game so its annoying and to get them you need to watch adds for them and they instantly go off.Then,theres more adds every 1 minute also theres adds to go in and out of the zen garden. So shorten it up add less adds and give us the lawnmovers back please.
  15. [R35] Plants vs. Zombies™ 4/5 · US Absolutely amazing but I don’t like the new developers: The new developers have been adding way too many ads and purchases. I also just generally don’t like them, but besides that it’s an amazing game. I have a really fun time and I will definitely recommend it. It’s really fun for a mobile game. This is like top.
  16. [R40] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Over advertised without ability to pay out. Even though it was originally paid for and beaten.: Don’t get this game.
  17. [R55] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Why?: Ea and pop cap stop being greedy
  18. [R13] Plants vs. Zombies™ 2/5 · US Too many ads: I know ads provide revenue for you, but two in between each adventure? I am spending more time watching ads than playing the game. You have taken a fun, humorous game and made it excruciating.
  19. [R37] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US Ads!!!!!: The number of ads makes this unplayable.
  20. [R49] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US TOO MANY ADS! No way these 5 star reviews are real: I loved this game, still great but way too many ads! Before and after every level
  21. [R19] Plants vs. Zombies™ 1/5 · US COMPLETE BS: Made it to Adventure 2 and the game started bugging. After each round it would freeze. So I thought easy fix reinstall. IT DELETED ALL MY PROGRESS. Even though I am on an Iphone and have game center. EA SUPPORT is useless.COMPLETE BS.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store