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Column Like You See 'Em

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Column Like You See 'Em is a conveyor-belt mini-game in Plants vs. Zombies, Plants vs. Zombies: Endless Edition, and Plants vs. Zombies: Great Wall Edition that takes place on the Roof. The gimmick of this level is that planting a seed packet on a slot will fill the whole respective column with that plant, multiplying it by five. If one or more spaces (not exceeding five) on any of the Flower Pots in the column are occupied by other plants or unoccupied by Flower Pots, no plant will appear in place of the plant and the plant you planted will either be one, two, three, or four and will either appear on the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth lane in that column. However, in Flower Pot's case, if some of the lanes in the column are not potted, no plant will appear in the non-potted lane. The entire level consists of three huge waves. The game goes almost immediately to the first huge wave upon starting the game and in each wave, the zombies come in large groups.

Origins

The name of this mini-game is a pun on Midnight Brown's song Call 'em like you see 'em! from his album, 2084.

Conveyor-belt Plants

At the beginning of the level, a column of Potato Mines, Tall-nuts, Melon-pults, Magnet-shrooms, Coffee Beans, and another column of Melon-pults are provided, in that order. After that, the game randomly chooses from the following plants:

Plants Chance (%) Max Count
Chomper 2.5% Infinite
Squash
5%
Infinite
Jalapeno
5%
Infinite
Pumpkin
7.5%
Infinite
Flower Pot
77.5%
45
Melon-pult
2.5%
Infinite


General tips

  • Only one Potato Mine seed packet will be provided.
  • As only one column of Tall-nuts is provided, it is recommended not to place them in the very front, but in the second or third column from the right instead. This reduces the likelihood of them being destroyed or laddered.
  • Jalapenos are greatly helpful in this level, as they can clear an entire screen, provided that they are planted on a full column of Flower Pots (an open column).
    • If possible, at least one Jalapeno should be saved in case of emergency.
    • They also destroy ladders placed on Tall-nuts and Pumpkins.
  • Ladder Zombies always appear halfway between waves, Jack-in-the-Box Zombies always appear just before a large wave starts, and Gargantuars only appear during the huge waves.
  • Flower Pots are delivered via the conveyor-belt very frequently.
    • These may be used to stall zombies, but it is recommended that at least one is saved at all times, in case an open column is required.

Dealing with Ladder Zombies

  • Ladder Zombies are particularly dangerous in this level, due to their sheer number, as well as their ability to render Tall-nuts and Pumpkins useless. There are several ways to counter them. However, each method requires the use of multiple plants, which may prove costly due to the conveyor-belt's slow delivery speed in this level.
  • As soon as Ladder Zombies appear, Squashes can immediately be used (along with one seed packet of Flower Pot) to thin out the horde of Ladder Zombies, while Melon-pults will deal enough damage to take out all remaining Ladder Zombies.
  • Ladders placed on empty Pumpkins will immediately be removed when a plant is placed inside those Pumpkins.
    • Therefore, one way to counter Ladder Zombies is to allow them to place their ladders on a row of empty Pumpkins, and then immediately planting another plant (preferably Chompers) inside them to remove the ladders.
  • Ladders placed on Tall-nuts may also be removed by planting Pumpkins on top of them, then manually removing the Pumpkins.

Dealing with Jack-in-the-Box Zombies

  • Jack-in-the-Box Zombies are fast and extremely dangerous.
    • Do not rely on Melon-pults to deal enough damage to take out massive hordes of Jack-in-the-Box Zombies. Their slow attack speed makes them a poor counter to Jack-in-the-Box Zombies.
    • Stalling them using Pumpkins and Flower Pots, and using Squashes to take out multiple Jack-in-the-Box Zombies at a time, is an effective way to counter them.
    • Jalapenos may also be used. However, they should only be used as a last resort.

Strategies

Strategy 1

One particular setup involves Potato Mines in front, Tall-nuts immediately after, followed by Magnet-shrooms (with Pumpkins and Coffee Beans) and Chompers (again with Pumpkins), and an empty column for Squash or Jalapenos (if you are going for Chilli Free, plant Chompers here; but if there are no more Chompers, leave it open for Squash), followed by as many columns of Melon-pults as possible.

The theory is that the Potato Mines are used for the first few zombies and the Tall-nuts block off the zombies until the Ladder Zombies show up. After they climb over the Tall-nuts, they will either climb over the Magnet-shrooms or eat them and hopefully, they get eaten by the Chompers. The Magnet-shrooms are right behind the Tall-nuts for a better effective radius, and Squash are for Imps and emergencies. If you have a Flower Pot and you save your Potato Mine, you can use it for the Gargantuars.

If the zombies successfully breach your defenses, plant as many columns of Flower Pots as possible to stall the zombies. Once the Jack-in-the-Box Zombies appear, wait for them to pass the third column from the right. Place a column of Flower Pots in the rightmost column. Use your resources (especially the Jalapenos) to eliminate the final zombies.

Strategy 2

Another strategy involves Tall-nuts in Pumpkins at the front, Potato Mines behind, followed by Magnet-shrooms and Chompers, with as many columns of Melon-pults behind as possible. The theory behind this strategy is for the Magnet-shrooms and the Melon-pults to take care of the first few zombies while the Potato Mines can be used against stronger enemies that come while your Magnet-shrooms are occupied.

Strategy 3

First plant Potato Mines in the rightmost column, Melon-pults in the leftmost column, Tall-nuts in the second column from the right, and Pumpkins with Magnet-shrooms in the third column from the right. When the Ladder Zombie and the Jack-in-the-Box Zombie appears, plant a Jalapeno in any column to burn the zombies. The Melon-pults will attack at Gargantuars and Squash can punch the last breath out of Gargantuars. Just squash the Gargantuars and kill everything else with Jalapenos.

Strategy 4

Plant a column of Pumpkined Tall-nuts in the rightmost column and a column of Pumpkined Magnet-shrooms in the second column from the right. Plant Pumpkined Chompers behind that, and Potato Mines behind them. Keep one column open for Jalapenos or Squash and fill the rest up with Melon-pults.

Strategy 5

The strategy for the Chilli Free achievement should have Tall-nuts on the first available column, Potato Mines in pots to the right, and Magnet-shrooms on behind the Tall-nuts. Plant your Melon-pults before the first wave comes. The melons will crush the zombies, but the Magnet-shrooms are still non-busy and available. Do not use any Jalapenos, you will not get the achievement. Plant the Chompers when the zombies are about to break through the Magnet-shrooms. You will notice your Flower Pots will start to queue. Be wary of the Gargantuars. Do not hit them in the third column as they will toss their Imps to eat all of your Melon-pults. If you manage to get the Melon-pults pumpkined, they will kill the Imps. For the wave of Jack-in-the-Box Zombies and Ladder Zombies, make use of your Squashes. Ignore the Bungee Zombies, as your Chompers and Squashes will take care of them, and Melon-pults will kill the Imps and other zombies. You may want to invest in Roof Cleaners prior to trying for this achievement, as they will kill the Gargantuars in one row.

Strategy 6

At the start of this mini-game, you will get a Potato Mine. Put it in the second column from the right. Then put the Tall-nuts in front of the Potato Mines. Behind them, plant the Magnet-shrooms and Coffee Beans. At the back, plant all of the Melon-pults. Protect the plants with Pumpkin at the front unless you are worried about Ladder Zombies. Behind the Magnet-shrooms, plant Chompers, and behind those, Squash.

Strategy 7

First, place the Potato Mine in the rightmost column. Then, put the Tall-nuts behind the Potato Mines. Next, Place the Melon-pults in the leftmost column. Place the Magnet-shrooms behind the Tall-nuts with the Coffee Beans. When the zombies come, save the Jalapenos, Flower Pots, Squashes, and Chompers. Use Pumpkins first on the Magnet-shrooms, then on the Tall-nuts, lastly on the Melon-pults. Use Jalapeno to kill the Ladder Zombies, then use Jalapeno to kill the Jack-in-the-Box Zombies. When a huge wave comes, put Flower Pots in the rightmost column, next put Squashes on them. Lastly, Jalapeno the zombies. Repeat the last two steps. You might win depending on if the Jack-in-the-Box Zombies self-destruct.

Strategy 8

At the start of this mini-game, you get Potato Mine. Put it in the column closest to where the zombies come from. Put the Tall-nuts in the third column from the right hand. Put any appearing Melon-pult in the columns two, three to four furthest from right-hand, leave one column empty for Jalapenos (in a dangerous case, usually leave the first column empty. Except the case game gives you four Melon-pults, you should use all four columns for them.

File:Plants vs Zombies Column Like You See 'Em

Attack power will more effective and with additional Squashes, as many Gargantuars cannot even cross over the Tall-nut. In an extremely dangerous situation, like Gargantuars go to your three to four-column from the left, dig all the melons in the first column, and put Jalapenos to clean the field). Put the Magnet-shrooms behind the Tall-nuts with the Coffee Beans. When the zombies come save Jalapenos, Flower Pots, Squashes, and Chompers (sometimes it will not give you Chompers at all). Use Pumpkins first on the Magnet-shrooms or every front flowerpot to slowdown zombies wave, then on the Tall-nuts, then on the Melon-pults (if available).

Strategy 9

At the start of this mini-game, you place the Potato Mine at the back. Put the Tall-nuts at the front where the zombies come. Then put the Magnet-shrooms behind the Tall-nuts and then place the Pumpkins on the Magnet-shrooms so that when the Ladder Zombies come, they will place the ladders on the Tall-nuts and the Pumpkins. Then put the Melon-pults after the Potato Mine and if you get three, leave two squares for the Chompers behind the Magnet-shrooms and leave one square for the Jalapeno.

Strategy 10

Do this pattern before the huge wave starts.

Me Me Me E S C Ma Po TPu

Me = Melon-pult

E = Emergency Space

S = Space

C = Chomper

Ma = Magnet-shroom

Po = Potato Mine

TPu = Tall-nut and Pumpkin

Plant Chompers at the front once you get them, save Jalapenos for Jack-in-the-Box Zombies, and Ladder Zombies. Once they show up place Jalapenos and you are done with them. Use Squashes for the Gargantuars. Keep Flower Pots with you to snare them once they throw the Imp. The first Chomper you get should replace the Potato Mine. Ladder Zombies and Jack-in-the-Box Zombies will be back. So kill them with Jalapeno or place Pumpkins for Ladder Zombies to make them lose their ladders. Once they appear to kill them with Jalapenos or snare their ladders. The second wave should appear. 70% you have a Squash. Bring it at them and BOOM! You should place Flower Pots to snare them. Once you do so you win.

P.S.: Once you get the sixth Melon-pult, replace it with the Magnet-shroom. Keep the seventh and above Melon-pults for emergencies in case you lose your defenses when Jack-in-the-Box Zombies explode.

Related achievements

Chilli free.png
Chilli Free
Complete Column Like You See 'Em without using Jalapenos.
Beyond the Grave.png
Attention Deficit.jpg
Attention Deficit
Earn a trophy in each Mini-game.

Gallery

Icons

  • iPad icon
    iPad icon
  • PC icon
    PC icon
  • Nintendo DS icon
    Nintendo DS icon
  • Xbox Live Arcade icon
    Xbox Live Arcade icon
  • iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android icon
    iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android icon
  • Bonus Game icon
    Bonus Game icon

General

In other languages

Please note that only official translations are used.

LanguageNameDescription
EnglishColumn Like You See 'Em
GermanReihenweise Zombie-Greise
Spanish¡Formen! ¡Arr!Translates to "Line Up!, Arr!"
FrenchTous en ligne
ItalianSu tutta la linea
Japanese見たとおりの列
Mita Tōri no Retsu
Korean최후의 저지선
Choehuui Jeojiseon
DutchKolommerdebom
Brazilian PortugueseFaça Colunas Com o Que Vê
Simplified Chinese排山倒海
páishāndǎohǎi		lit. "toppling mountains and overturning seas", meaning an overwhelmingly great or continuous force.
Traditional Chinese排山倒海
páishāndǎohǎi		lit. "toppling mountains and overturning seas", meaning an overwhelmingly great or continuous force.

Trivia

  • It is one of only two mini-games that plays "Ultimate Battle" as its soundtrack, the other being Column Like You See 'Em 2, its sequel, and the Nintendo DS version of Air Raid.
  • It is the only level without hacking/modding in the entire game where the first zombie is always a Flag Zombie.
  • The difficulty of the mini-game varies depending mainly on the number of Melon-pults and Jalapenos provided. The level is extremely easy with many Melon-pults and Jalapenos (the player can get eight Melon-pults if lucky, even trivializing Gargantuars), while the occasional two Melon-pult and zero Jalapeno board borders on impossible, especially if the majority of the plants are Chompers since they can only kill one zombie every 42 seconds (and they cannot even damage Gargantuars significantly).
  • Like other levels that have it, Gargantuars will never appear on the top lane.
  • It will start without the zombies saying "The zombies are coming", as it starts with a huge wave approaching.
  • The first six plants are always Potato Mine, Tall-nut, Melon-pult, Magnet-shroom, Coffee Bean, and Melon-pult, in that order. Two random plants will also spawn on the conveyor-belt in rapid succession before the frequency of plants slows down dramatically these plants vary from Squash, Jalapeno, Pumpkin, Chomper to Flower Pot.
  • The iPhone, Android, Xbox, and PS3 icons all have the Peashooter with the leaves of a Repeater.
  • Notably, the iPad, iPhone, Android, and Xbox icon of Column Like You See 'Em have a row of Peashooters and Wall-nuts, despite these plants not being given.
    • This icon used to be Last Stand's old iPhone version icon.
  • Column Like You See 'Em is the only level that has no zombies coming before the first wave.
  • Despite the setting, the shovel does not remove an entire column of plants.
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