The original Evil Genius debuted 15 years ago, developed by Elixir Studios and published by Sierra Entertainment. Rebellion later acquired the rights and developed the sequel, Evil Genius 2: World Domination.
Players construct their base, establish their global influence, recruit henchmen, execute nefarious schemes, and interrogate adversaries – all essential components of villainy. Strategic planning is paramount to success.
One of the most appealing aspects of Evil Genius 2: World Domination is its visual presentation, comedic elements, and numerous cinematic references. The game offers a choice of four distinct villains. My chosen character, Max, is clearly inspired by Blofeld from the James Bond franchise. The score also evokes the Bond films. The graphics are stylish and well-defined, allowing players to zoom in for a detailed view of their henchmen or zoom out for a comprehensive overview of their entire base.
The tutorial is of critical importance. A premature departure from its guidance, as I initially attempted, can quickly result in a power grid failure and subsequent economic downturn. Restarting the campaign with closer attention to the tutorial proved beneficial. However, the building mechanics can feel opaque. Certain actions are context-sensitive, accessible only through specific menus, with no clear indication of available options. This resulted in significant frustration when attempting basic actions like demolishing walls. It was later discovered that terrain hardness restricts demolition in certain areas, a crucial detail absent from the tutorial. After some trial and error, I was able to discern the limitations, albeit through accidental discovery.
While the building mechanics become more intuitive with practice, the initial learning curve can be steep. Once base construction is mastered, the game presents a multitude of interdependent systems that require careful management to maintain operational efficiency. This is where these types of games become challenging for me. Juggling the happiness, sustenance, and rest of minions feels more like micro-management than strategic gameplay. Minor base alterations frequently trigger power outages, necessitating the construction of new power stations, which in turn deplete resources and incite dissatisfaction, creating a cycle of challenges.
Despite Evil Genius 2: World Domination not being my preferred genre, it undoubtedly appeals to fans of base-building and management simulations. In spite of the somewhat clunky console controls, Evil Genius 2: World Domination is a well-designed game that offers many hours of gameplay for those who are persistent and can tolerate a high degree of complexity. Therefore, I would still recommend Evil Genius 2: World Domination.
