A whole bunch of crazy scientists, aliens from distant galaxies and even two mice from an experimental laboratory; they all tried to usurp world domination. And they all failed. Now it's our turn. 17 years after the first part, the developers of Rebellion in Evil Genius 2: World Domination let us build a secret base again, in which we command our minions to our hearts' content and plan a campaign that should lead to the very top.

He's slumbering in each of us, the megalomaniac head villain who is just waiting for his chance to finally seize power and make everyone dance to his tune. After we were able to give in to him in Evil Genius in 2004, we now have the opportunity to realize our nasty plans again after what felt like an eternity. For a long time it was uncertain whether there would ever be a second part. Only a change of developer brought the project back to life and now Rebellion presents us with Evil Genius 2: World Domination.

Who actually rules the world?

Before we embark on our path to world domination in Evil Genius 2: World Domination, we must first clarify who is supposed to be the chosen one. In addition to the well-known Maximilian, there are three other villains: the muscle-packed, insane Ivan, the former spy Emma and the brilliant scientist Zalinka. Each of these characters, of course, has its own personal advantages and disadvantages. It is therefore up to us whether we prefer brute force or subtle manipulation. 

So we occupy a tropical island somewhere in international waters and begin our quest for unlimited power. An abandoned casino conveniently offers us the perfect camouflage for our nasty plans. Who would think that gambling is not about the right things?

Perfectly hidden

After we have moved into our future secret hideout in Evil Genius 2: World Domination, we get down to work. Or we let our minions do the dirty work. The successful basic principle was largely adopted from the first part. Building rooms, recruiting and training staff and following dark plans on the world map - from now on all of this will be part of our tasks.

The most striking difference is probably the possibility of expanding our secret hiding place over several levels. And although we, as genius villains, should actually bring an astronomical IQ with us, the levels required for this still have to be researched first. Criminals obviously think little of the more convenient solution in the form of an elevator.

The four possible floors bring a lot of advantages. Important facilities - such as vaults or prison cells - should always be placed in the basement, for example, in order to be able to defend them as effectively as possible against the agents of your opponents who arrive sooner or later. With a fully developed hiding place, however, the overview is lost a bit from time to time, when things are bustling around all corners later in the game.

In addition, it happened that we built an entire floor almost exclusively with essential supply facilities such as power generators in order to create space elsewhere. The remodeling / relocation of rooms is quick and easy, as we can sell furnishings at any time and use the space that has become free.

Good versus Evil in Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Even the most evil villain cannot act out his malice if he lacks one thing: the necessary change. Fortunately, we have the whole world at our disposal to find it. We send our minions to the most remote corners and let them carry out devious plans for us to fill our vaults. That might be funny at first, but it quickly degenerates into a chore as the tasks repeat themselves at some point.

Of course, our misdeeds do not go unnoticed. The more we visit certain regions, the greater the suspicion of the power ruling there. Of course, they don't like us to cheat their good citizens down the line and in return sends staff to make life difficult for us. At first these are just undercover investigators who are supposed to collect evidence, but if we are not careful, a highly trained special unit will soon be standing in front of our door and urgently asking for admission.

By the time it gets that far, however, we have already set up countless traps in our shelter, installed surveillance cameras and trained our henchmen to be contract killers. Evil cannot be stopped that easily.