Similar to its predecessors, the game is a third-person shooter where players take control of the Plants or the Zombies in either a cooperative or competitive multiplayer environment. The game features 20 customizable gameplay classes, six of which are new to the franchise, and they are classified into three groups: attackers, defenders, or support. Each camp also has a new team play class that allows players of the same class to combine forms when they fight against enemies. Players can compete against each other in various competitive multiplayer modes, including the objective-based Turf War mode and the team deathmatch variant Team Vanquish. The game also features several player-versus-environment open zones which allowed players to explore, find collectibles, and complete quests. Split-screen local multiplayer is also available for all gameplay mode

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville takes place after the events of Garden Warfare 2. The plants presumably won the battle for Zomburbia and trapped all of the zombies in a "Smell Jar". The plants once again had control of Suburbia, and humans did not have to worry about their brains being eaten until the zombies escaped. Now the Plants and Zombies battle once more.