This is exactly everything I ever wanted in base PvZ 2 back when I first played it in 2013.

There are no micro-transactions, with everything being obtainable with gems and coins. Also, said gems and coins are super easy to get. All you have to do is play the game and occasionally doing some side missions. As a result, it's a lot more fun and rewarding to actually unlock new plants and upgrades.

The removal of premium plants actually balances the game out a lot. Snow Pea, for example, was originally a premium plant in the original version and a needed plant to beat some Ancient Egypt levels. Now, you can simply unlock it in the first world. There is of course still challenge, but not as unfair and bs as it originally was.

There are also 2 new worlds: Holiday Mashup and Steam Age. Both of these worlds are awesome and so fun to play through. There also a ton of new plants, with more on the way as this game still receives updates.

EA and PopCap can only wish to make something this good.