When Electronic Arts first revealed their concept for Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare at E3 2013, we were appropriately excited to see the publisher doing something new and interesting with one of their most popular brands. However, what PvZ: GW promised and what it inevitably delivered weren't exactly one in the same. For more on that make sure to read our review.

But, the game still has its moments, and is continuing to expand as a multiplayer experience. In fact, the title is slated to get yet another DLC drop tomorrow, March 18th.

This particular Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare DLC is titled the Garden Variety Pack and it includes a new map, a new mode, and 24 new ability upgrades - all for the low, low price of free. The pack also adds a new pirate zombie to Sharkbite Shores and Port Scallywag.

Likely the most intriguing element of the Garden Variety Pack is the new "Gnome Bomb" mode. The mode plays out like your typical bomb-based variant wherein two teams work to secure a neutral bomb — in the case a garden gnome with a bomb strapped to his back — and plant it in the other team's base. Sounds simple enough.

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The new mode reportedly works best on the new map Champ Town, which conveniently also comes packaged in with the Garden Variety Pack. PopCap claims that the map is supposed to remind players of the smaller-scale urban maps seen in most popular shooters, but all we have are the above screenshots to go by. That should be a nice change of pace compared to the game's larger maps, of which there are plenty.

And finally, the Garden Variety Pack will a total of 24 ability upgrades (3 each) to the game's 8 zombie and plant classes. Although we don't have any specifics, the ability upgrades won't be that much different from those in the main game. That is, they will add a new handy flourish to one of the class' base attack options.

All told, the Garden Variety Pack seems like a solid upgrade for Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare players. It adds enough new content into the fold that those looking for a change of scenery should be reinvigorated, and more importantly it comes free of charge. As we mentioned, the game certainly has its moments, especially for fans of the PvZ brand, and it's nice to see Pop Cap is regularly supporting the game with free and paid upgrades.

What do you think of the Garden Variety Pack? What other modes would you like to see added to Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare?

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