Evil Genius 2 Review
Evil Genius 2: World Domination is the long-awaited sequel to the 2004 real-time strategy management title, Evil Genius. The original game was released by Elixir Studios, at the end of a wave of unique real-time management sims that started with Dungeon Keeper in 1997. Although it came in a crowded genre, Evil Genius quickly proved itself with its tongue-in-cheek humor, sleek 60s style, and clean, cartoonish visuals. However, despite the game’s success, Elixir Studios closed a year after its release. The rights were bought by Rebellion Developments, which announced in 2017 that it was developing a sequel. Like its predecessor, Evil Genius 2 is set in an alternate version of the 1960s/70s, where rogue Geniuses attempt world domination while opposed by the Forces of Justice. This theme is carried beautifully by the game’s style and humor, which are two of its strongest features. When it comes to Evil Genius 2’s style, it’s easy to assume that it took inspiration from movies like The Incredibles, Despicable Me, and even Austin Powers. However, it’s worth noting that its visuals are inherited from the original game, which was released before most of those movies. In fact, the game owes more to the campy spy movies of the 1960s. Everything from the stylish soundtrack to the Atomic Age-style furniture sells the idea of a 60s spy-flick. Character models and animations are varied and well defined, allowing players to see who and what is in a crowded Lair at a glance. RELATED: How Does the UK Leaving the EU Affect the Video Game Industry? In the Evil Genius 2 campaign, players take on the role of one of four Geniuses, each with their own story, their own enemies, and their own doomsday device to create. All four of the Geniuses feel different, as each focuses on a different aspect of the gameplay. Maximillian is the all-rounder choice, a mega-rich megalomaniac who gives additional bonuses to the main Minions. Red Ivan is all about combat, and he is the best of the Geniuses in a fight. Zalika is the technology expert, with special buffs to the science Minions. Finally, ex-spymaster Emma is all about manipulation, with bonuses to both social Minions and Henchmen.
After choosing a Genius, players next choose one of three islands to build their Lair on. These islands are not much different in terms of scenery, but each one offers a unique layout as well as its own advantages and disadvantages. These features are varied enough to aid replayability, but it’s a shame there are fewer islands to choose from than Geniuses, meaning players who want to experience all four campaigns will have to repeat an island. Once players arrive at their new home, they quickly decide how to manage their evil Lair. Using a building system familiar to fans of titles like Two Point Hospital and Rimworld, players will expand their Lair with new rooms, as well as equip and train their Minions. The number of room options can be daunting, but the tutorial does a good job of introducing them slowly and guiding players through the essentials of Lair management. It’s also nicely complemented throughout the game by a system that generates random Optional Objectives, pushing players towards activities or expansions they might not have considered. RELATED: The 10 Best Strategy Games Of 2020, Ranked (According To Metacritic) One of the most important rooms that players will need to build in their Lair is the Control Room, which allows Criminal Networks to be established on the world stage. These Networks allow players to send their Minions to Schemes, which can earn money, unlock new Minion types and buildings, or complete quest objectives. Minions sent on missions don’t return when they’re done, making them feel well spent. It also adds an extra layer of strategy, forcing players to undermine their Lair to complete a rewarding Scheme. Since Schemes are the player’s main source of income, they will spend a lot of time sending Minions on a new mission every time the last one ends. While this is fairly easy to keep up with early on, it can get tricky as the campaign progresses. There are 23 regions on the Global Operations map, and most Schemes only take a few minutes. This means that players with a large global presence can end up bouncing between the Lair and Global Operations maps. This problem is exacerbated because it is often difficult to tell at a glance which Criminal Network is free. A free Network’s communications tower will flash, but it’s not that easy to see, and can’t really be seen at higher zoom levels. Despite these minor quality-of-life issues, the Scheme system works well enough to get players out of the Lair and remind them that they’re a global villain. Criminal Networks is also a major story advancement tool, allowing players to unlock new types of Minions, new opportunities, and bigger and better Schemes. However, the expansion of Criminal Networks is not without risks. Eventually, Genius will attract the attention of one or more of the Forces of Justice, intelligence agencies who will send agents to investigate the Lair. They range from simple Investigators who are easily distracted or dispatched, to James Bond-esque Super Agents.
These Super Agents are one of the main limiting factors in Evil Genius 2’s campaign, and can be quite frustrating to deal with. Each of them has a different way of attacking the Lair, and if killed just teleport away to come back later. They can be captured but they appear every few minutes, often killing more Minions each time before they are captured again. However, the defense of the Lair is handled not only by training combat Minions, but also by making traps. Players can unlock new traps through research, and combine them to create ingenious ways of nullifying their enemies. For example, a trap encloses the target in a floating soap-bubble, which can allow a giant fan to easily push them into a wall of lasers. While setting up these trap gauntlets can be tricky on some of the more crowded islands, they really allow players to be creative in combining their effects. Players have to make sure they have a strong defense not only against the Forces of Justice, but also against the rival Crime Lords. Unlike Super Agents, these unique enemies only appear when a player chooses to start their Side-Story Mission. Crime Lords can wreak havoc on an undefended Lair, but after completing a few Missions focused around them, players will have the opportunity to permanently recruit them as new Henchmen. Henchmen fill the gap between fully controllable geniuses and their automated minions. They are unique characters with their own abilities that roam freely, but can also be ordered directly. Collecting new Henchmen is one of the most exciting parts of Evil Genius 2, and there’s a lot of fun in turning a powerful and interesting enemy into a new ally. Overall, Evil Genius 2 is a worthy successor to Elixir Studio’s cult classic. Despite some minor pacing and quality of life issues, the game delivers a compelling and detailed management sim with an engaging theme. Its clever use of tongue-in-cheek humor and bold style perfectly captures the feel of an over-the-top 1960s spoof, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the world of the supers. spy and doomsday device. Evil Genius 2: World Domination launches on March 30 on PC. Today Technology was provided with a code for this review.