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Evil Genius 2: World Domination

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Evil Genius 2: World Domination
Item: Evil Genius 2: World Domination
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2021

GenresAdventure, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Simulation, Top-Down Perspective, Strategy, Single Player

AvailableMar 30, 2021

PlatformPC, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One

DeveloperRebellion

Overview

A satirical spy-fi lair builder where YOU are the criminal mastermind! Construct your base, train your minions, defend your operations from the Forces of Justice, and achieve global domination!

Elsewhere

6.8

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

33%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are generally positive. Many critics highlight the lighthearted and campy nature of the story, which revolves around taking over the world as an evil genius. CGMagazine, GameSpace, Guardian, and VGC all mention the humorous and satirical tone of the game, with references to classic spy thrillers and the Austin Powers films. TheSixthAxis and PSX Extreme appreciate the narrative spin on progression, with each evil genius having their own story and objectives. Xbox Achievements and Metro GameCentral mention the distinctive storyline and architectural challenges presented in the game. These positive aspects of the story contribute to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the players. However, there are some criticisms regarding the story of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. Game Rant and GAMES.CH mention that while the game offers multiple playable characters and their own unique campaigns, the main campaign path lacks variation between villains. GAMES.CH also points out that the dialogue between the villain and henchmen is filled with cliches. These criticisms suggest that there may be a lack of depth or variety in the storytelling, which could potentially impact the overall engagement and replayability of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Evil Genius 2: World Domination is enjoyable and entertaining. The lighthearted and campy nature, along with the humorous and satirical tone, resonates positively with the reviewers. The inclusion of distinct personalities for each playable character and the opportunity to live out Bond-villain fantasies are also appreciated. However, there are concerns about the lack of variation in the main campaign path and cliched dialogue. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the story of Evil Genius 2: World Domination remains positive, with the game being praised for its comical premise, narrative spin, and the opportunity to embrace one's inner villain.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics generally praise the lighthearted, campy, and humorous story of Evil Genius 2: World Domination, likening it to classic spy thrillers and Austin Powers. They appreciate the unique narratives of evil geniuses and architectural challenges. However, some critics point out a lack of variation between villains and cliched dialogue, raising concerns about depth and replayability. Overall, the game is deemed enjoyable for its comical premise and the chance to embrace one's inner villain, despite some storytelling limitations.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

67%

Mixed (50-79)

30%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are generally positive. Many critics praise the base building mechanics, describing them as satisfying, enjoyable, and the game's strong point. They appreciate the ability to design and expand their evil lair, with a variety of rooms, traps, and furniture to choose from. The management aspects of the game, such as running schemes, managing minions, and establishing criminal networks, are also highlighted as positive aspects of the gameplay. Critics like Game Rant, GameSpace, and Gfinity specifically mention the complex tasks and smart management required in developing a lair and executing schemes, which adds depth and challenge to the gameplay experience. The gameplay is described as deep, layered, addictive, and almost unique among console games by Metro GameCentral. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. One common complaint is the repetitive nature of certain tasks and mechanics. Critics like CGMagazine, Game Informer, and IGN mention that running schemes, interacting with the map, and defending the island can become tedious, repetitive, and chore-like. Some critics also mention issues with certain aspects of the gameplay, such as poor minion AI, fiddly building controls, excessive micromanagement, and lack of visual indicators for heat levels. The tutorial is also mentioned as thorough but lengthy by XboxAddict. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evil Genius 2: World Domination offers enjoyable gameplay with its base building mechanics, management aspects, and strategic challenges. The game provides players with the opportunity to design and expand their evil lair, run schemes, manage minions, and establish criminal networks. The deep and addictive nature of the gameplay is appreciated by critics like GamingTrend and Metro GameCentral. However, there are some concerns about repetitive tasks, tedious mechanics, and certain issues with AI and controls. Despite these criticisms, the positive aspects of the gameplay outweigh the negatives, making Evil Genius 2: World Domination a recommended experience for fans of base building and management games.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Evil Genius 2: World Domination receives praise for its engaging base building mechanics and strategic challenges, offering players the chance to design their evil lair and manage criminal networks. However, criticisms include repetitive tasks and issues with AI and controls. Overall, critics recommend the game for fans of base building and management games.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

77%

Mixed (50-79)

23%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of the critics praised the graphics and visual design of Evil Genius 2: World Domination, considering it to be very good. They commended the game for its cartoony and colorful art style, which was inspired by spy cartoons and films from the 1960s. Critics like App Trigger, CGMagazine, Game Rant, and Push Square specifically mentioned the game's pleasing character designs and vibrant colors. The visuals were described as clean, detailed, and visually appealing, with distinct room designs and well-animated cutscenes. The art direction captured the Atomic Age design aesthetic, and the game had a bright and over-the-top aesthetic with cartoon-like animations. The visuals were also praised for their ability to differentiate characters and room types on the fly, injecting personality into each room of the base. However, there were a few criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. IGN mentioned that while the character designs were simple but effective, the occasional cutscene moments felt impersonal. TheSixthAxis also noted that some cutscenes lacked a personal touch. VGC mentioned that the game had a fiddly interface, which could be frustrating, and GameSpew mentioned that the lack of control over minions could also be frustrating. These criticisms indicate that there were some minor flaws or areas for improvement in the graphics and visual design of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Evil Genius 2: World Domination were very good. The majority of the critics praised the game's cartoony style, vibrant colors, and detailed animations. They appreciated the game's ability to capture the 1960s spy movie feel and the cohesive presentation of its visuals. The positive opinions from critics like CGMagazine, Game Rant, and God is a Geek further support the overall positive sentiment towards the graphics and visual design of the game. Despite some minor criticisms, the game's visuals were generally well-received, contributing to its overall appeal.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics unanimously praised the stylish and vibrant graphics of Evil Genius 2: World Domination, inspired by 1960s spy films. They lauded the clean, detailed visuals, character designs, and lively animations that added personality to the game. While some critics mentioned minor issues with cutscenes and interface, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The game's visuals successfully captured the Atomic Age aesthetic and contributed significantly to its charm and appeal.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

60%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are quite positive overall. Many critics praised the game's soundtrack, mentioning that it effectively captures the 60s spy-flick atmosphere and adds to the overall experience. The music is described as stylish, swanky, and melodramatic, with catchy motifs and bombastic tunes. Critics like Game Rant, Shacknews, and TheSixthAxis specifically highlight the contribution of the soundtrack to the game's atmosphere and compare it to the music found in James Bond films. The voice acting also receives praise, with critics mentioning fantastic performances and a star-studded cast that adds personality to the game. Digitally Downloaded, IGN, and Xbox Tavern specifically mention the quality of the voice acting, with IGN describing it as gleeful, animated, and delivered with a dramatic flair. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. App Trigger mentions that the music in the base building portion of the game is repetitive and gets boring, suggesting the use of personal music instead. GamingTrend also points out that the music and voice acting stopped playing after a while, indicating potential issues with the sound design. These criticisms suggest that there may be some shortcomings in the variety and implementation of the game's music and sound effects. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are positive aspects of the game. The stylish soundtrack, reminiscent of 60s spy thrillers, and the entertaining voiceover work contribute to the immersive experience and help set the mood for the game. While there are some criticisms regarding repetition and potential sound design issues, the majority of critics appreciate the quality of the music and voice acting. The positive opinions of critics like Digitally Downloaded, MMORPG.com, and Xbox Achievements further support the overall consensus that the Sound Design and Music of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are well-executed and enhance the gameplay experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise Evil Genius 2's soundtrack for capturing a 60s spy-flick vibe with stylish, melodramatic tunes. Voice acting is lauded for its fantastic performances and star-studded cast. However, some critics note repetitive music in base building and issues with sound design. Overall, most agree that the sound and music enhance the game's atmosphere and gameplay, despite minor flaws.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

47%

Mixed (50-79)

53%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Evil Genius 2: World Domination has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers, such as Digitally Downloaded and MMORPG.com, praised the voice acting, specifically highlighting the performance of Brian Blessed as Red Ivan. They described his voice work as wonderful and marvelous, respectively. Xbox Tavern also commended the voice acting, mentioning that it was fantastic and even made the reviewer laugh out loud at times. These positive opinions indicate that the voice acting successfully added personality and entertainment value to the game. However, there were also some negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Evil Genius 2: World Domination. Game Debate mentioned that Brian Blessed's performance felt like he was 'phoning it in', suggesting a lack of enthusiasm or effort. TheSixthAxis criticized the occasional cutscene moments, stating that the voice acting felt impersonal. GamingTrend pointed out that the voice acting stopped playing after a while, potentially indicating technical issues or a lack of variety in the voice work. These negative comments highlight areas where the voice acting could have been improved, such as consistency and emotional engagement. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed regarding the voice acting in Evil Genius 2: World Domination. While some reviewers praised the voice acting for being entertaining, animated, and adding personality to the game, others found issues with certain performances, dialogue, or technical aspects. It is worth noting that the negative opinions were not unanimous, and there were still positive remarks from multiple critics. This suggests that the voice acting in the game had its strengths and weaknesses, ultimately providing a varied experience for players.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics are divided on the voice acting in Evil Genius 2: World Domination. Some praised Brian Blessed's performance as Red Ivan, calling it wonderful and marvelous, while others felt it lacked enthusiasm and emotional engagement. Positive feedback highlighted the entertainment value added by the voice acting, but negative opinions pointed out issues like inconsistency and technical glitches. Overall, the voice acting received mixed reviews, offering both strengths and weaknesses for players to experience.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

60%

Mixed (50-79)

30%

Negative (0-49)

10%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance of Evil Genius 2: World Domination, the opinions of the critics vary depending on the gaming platform. On PC, Digitally Downloaded mentions that the game can sometimes lack explanation and be frustrating. However, MMORPG.com acknowledges that some technical issues, such as clicking errors and clunkiness in navigating menus, may be attributed to the reviewer's inexperience with a point-and-click menu system. Overall, the PC version seems to have a mixed reception in terms of technical performance. On the PlayStation 5, GameSpew and God is a Geek both mention that the game runs smoothly with rock-solid performance. The Games Machine even goes as far as stating that the PS5 version is well-optimized and comparable to the PC version. However, GamingTrend highlights several glitches and stability issues, such as softlocking the game and invisible Super Agents. ZTGD also mentions some glitches, such as minions standing around during base alarms or henchmen not following kill commands properly. These criticisms indicate that while the PS5 version generally runs well, there are still some technical issues that need to be addressed. Moving on to the PS4 version, PSX Extreme praises the game's stable framerate and mentions that there have been months' worth of patches for quality-of-life improvements. This suggests that the technical performance of the PS4 version has been improved over time. Meanwhile, on the Xbox Series X, Metro GameCentral states that the game is a console port and works well with a sensibly mapped control system. Xbox Achievements also mentions that the game looks fantastic and remains stable even with a lot of troops and machinery. These positive comments indicate that both the PS4 and Xbox Series X versions offer a satisfactory technical experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Evil Genius 2: World Domination has varying levels of technical performance depending on the gaming platform. While the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions generally receive positive feedback, with smooth performance and well-optimized gameplay, there are still some technical issues mentioned by critics, such as glitches and stability problems. The PC version also receives mixed opinions, with some critics mentioning frustrations and technical issues. However, it is worth noting that the PS4 version has seen improvements over time through patches.

TL;DR

technical performance

Evil Genius 2: World Domination's technical performance varies across platforms. PS5 and Xbox Series X versions run smoothly with some glitches, while the PC version has mixed reviews due to frustrations and technical issues. PS4 version has seen improvements over time.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

37%

Mixed (50-79)

58%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are quite varied. Many critics highlight the positive aspects of the game that contribute to its replayability. CGMagazine, Destructoid, Game Informer, Game Rant, GameSpace, Guardian, IGN, Screen Rant, Xbox Tavern, and The Games Machine all mention different features that add to the game's replay value. These include side objectives, criminal mastermind challenges, loot gathering, sandbox mode, customizable difficulty, and multiple playable characters. The game also offers unique layouts on each island, random optional objectives, and a tech tree that provides new items and unlocks new rooms at a good pace. However, there are some negative aspects that critics point out regarding the replay value of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. App Trigger mentions that the game lacks replayability due to limited factors that can change from game to game, while Game Debate notes that the base defense and world map elements can become repetitive. Shacknews also mentions that there are only four campaigns and some differences between masterminds are superficial, which may require repeating an island to experience all four campaigns. Push Square suggests that the campaigns could have been condensed for shorter but more entertaining games, indicating that the length of the campaigns might be a drawback for some players. Overall, the critics' opinions on the replay value of Evil Genius 2: World Domination are mixed. While many critics highlight the various features and modes that contribute to the game's replayability, there are also concerns about repetitive elements and limited factors that can change from game to game. However, the general consensus seems to be that the game offers enough content, customization options, and different playstyles to keep players engaged for multiple playthroughs. Critics such as Guardian and Metro GameCentral describe the game as consistently amusing and long-lasting, while Xbox Achievements mentions the presence of multiple evil geniuses, campaigns, and secret bases to build. Ultimately, players who enjoy base-building strategy games and are willing to invest time into exploring the game's different features and modes are likely to find value in replaying Evil Genius 2: World Domination.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics have mixed opinions on the replay value of Evil Genius 2: World Domination. While some praise its diverse features like side objectives and customizable difficulty, others criticize its repetitive elements and limited variability from game to game. Despite concerns, the game offers ample content and customization options to keep players engaged for multiple playthroughs. Overall, fans of base-building strategy games willing to explore different modes will likely find value in revisiting Evil Genius 2: World Domination.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

44%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the overall verdict of Evil Genius 2: World Domination, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to the game. Starting with the positives, several critics praised the game for its enjoyable base-building mechanics and the fun experience it provides. Critics such as CGMagazine and GameSpace highlighted the joy of building and growing an evil empire, while Game Rant commended the game for capturing the feel of an over-the-top 1960s spy spoof. TheSixthAxis also mentioned the engaging gameplay and narrative spin on progression, along with the graphics and music adding to the experience. On the other hand, there were some negative aspects mentioned by critics. App Trigger and IGN criticized the game for lacking attractive gameplay loops and underwhelming gameplay, respectively. IGN specifically pointed out the confusing world map interface as a drawback. Digitally Downloaded mentioned rough edges and a lack of engagement, while COGconnected suggested streamlining and shorter missions for a better experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Evil Genius 2: World Domination is a worthwhile sequel that improves upon the original and provides a satisfying experience. Destructoid praised the game for making players feel evil and providing a well-executed, long game with new elements to love. Shacknews recommended the game to fans of simulation-strategy games, while Xbox Tavern found it enjoyable for fans of city builders and management sims. The positive aspects of the game, such as the concept, enjoyable gameplay, and entertaining moments, were highlighted by several critics. However, there were also some criticisms mentioned, including issues with gameplay, tediousness in longer sessions, and technical frustrations. Despite these drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards a positive reception, with many critics acknowledging the game's strengths and recommending it to players who enjoy the genre. Evil Genius 2: World Domination seems to have successfully captured the spirit of the original and provided an entertaining experience, although it may have some areas for improvement.

TL;DR

Evil Genius 2: World Domination impresses with enjoyable base-building mechanics and engaging gameplay, praised by critics for capturing the essence of an evil empire. However, some reviewers found flaws in gameplay loops and technical aspects. Overall, the consensus is that the game is a worthwhile sequel, offering a satisfying experience despite its shortcomings.

MONSTER

Reviews

103 reviews found

Gfinity

Mar 29, 2021