“Plants vs. Zombies” is just one of the video games that achieved phenomenal success. But besides killing time, does it have any practical use in life?

Zombie madness is everywhere. The writers have been inspired to revive these brain-dead creatures who have seen great success. Sorry, Rick Grimes, but they’ve practically invaded the world and there’s no stopping them. They have movies, TV shows, and games!

Thus, the sensational success of PopCap Games arrived: Plants vs. Zombies. Initially designed for OS X and Windows, it is now compatible with Nintendo, Xbox, Android, Blackberry and Apple devices. Several versions have been released, including one for Facebook.

Designed to be simple enough for casual gamers to learn, yet challenging enough for hardcore gamers, Plants vs. Zombies has gained followers. In fact, it’s still PopCap Games’ best-selling video game since 2009. The world is obsessed with Plants vs. Zombies-and zombies per se- that almost everyone you come across plays or knows.

So what is special about the game? Does anyone really benefit from shelling out a couple of bucks to buy the latest version released each year?

If you are skeptical about the long-term effects of gaming, you are not alone. Since video games emerged, several people, mostly adults, have condemned video games as a waste of time and money. This inspired studies to determine the impact of games. The results were remarkably positive, leading to the creation of digital learning tools.

Simply put, people learn faster when they are having fun. Think about it. Would you rather attend a three-hour lecture by a monotonous speaker than learn Mandarin through an interactive app packed with all sorts of fancy features?

Plants vs. Zombies It won’t teach you Mandarin, but it can improve your problem-solving skills. It immerses you in a virtual environment that simulates a potentially life-threatening, albeit exaggerated, situation. You know it’s superficial, but physiologically you respond to it as if it were real.

Here are three key features of the game that can improve your decision-making and other survival skills:

Selection of weapons. You start with a basic arsenal made up of sunflowers and pea shooters. As you progress to higher levels, you unlock additional artillery. Simultaneously, you will face armed zombies. To spice things up, you get to the point where you can only arm yourself with a limited number of weapons. This prompts you to weigh the pros and cons of your choices.

Challenge site. Limitations of the Arsenal. Tougher enemies. You’re just warming up. The real challenge comes when the game introduces new environments. The absence of sunlight and a pool in the backyard add to the threats and dangers. This requires flexibility on your part, allowing you to adapt to different conditions and adjust your weapon preferences.

The pressure of time. Frankly, the pop-up warnings kill the suspense. However, the game manages to generate a series of conflicts that increase stress levels and, ultimately, put your mental readiness and alertness to the test.

These three characteristics of Plants vs. Zombies they are just a few of the many ways that games serve as mental exercises. Still not convinced that games have their benefits? Or do you dare to give your children the latest versions of Xbox or Nintendo? The best way to conquer yourself is to try the game and find out for yourself.

Despite being criticized as a mere distraction from boredom, games have proven to be effective instructional tools. Like Plants vs. Zombies Most video games are not intended to educate, but can enhance the skills needed to solve real-life problems. Learning is really fun.