View source for Evil Genius 2: World Domination

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Evil Genius 2: World Domination
| image = Evil Genius 2 cover art.jpg
| developer = [[Rebellion Developments]]
| publisher = Rebellion Developments
| designer = Rich Edwards
| producer = Ash Tregay
| artist = Ian Pestridge
| composer = [[James Hannigan]]
| released = {{ubl|'''Microsoft Windows'''|30 March 2021|'''PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S'''|30 November 2021}}
| genre = [[Real-time strategy]], [[simulation game|simulation]]
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]}}
| modes = [[Single-player]]
}}
'''''Evil Genius 2: World Domination''''' is a [[real-time strategy]] and [[simulation video game|simulation]] video game developed and published by [[Rebellion Developments]]. As the sequel to ''[[Evil Genius (video game)|Evil Genius]]'' (2004), which was developed by the now-defunct [[Elixir Studios]], the game was released for [[Microsoft Windows]] on 30 March 2021, and [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on 30 November 2021.<ref name="Consoles releases">{{cite web|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination coming to PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and Xbox One in Q4 2021 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/evil-genius-2-world-domination-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-and-xbox-one-in-q4-2021 |website=Gematsu|date=August 10, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Consoles release date">{{cite web|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, and Xbox One launches November 30|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/evil-genius-2-world-domination-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-and-xbox-one-launches-november-30|website=Gematsu|date=October 11, 2021}}</ref>
==Gameplay==
In ''Evil Genius 2'', the player is tasked to construct a criminal lair on an abandoned island which may be a tropical or a ice island depending on the players choice in order to build a [[doomsday device]] secretly while operating a [[casino]] as a cover operation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/evil-genius-2-wants-to-feed-the-sharks-not-jump-them|title=Evil Genius 2 wants to feed the sharks, not jump them|first=Brandon|last=Caldwell|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=21 June 2019|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> Players have to construct extra rooms from the pre-built casino which  may be larger or smaller depending on which island you picked. You can also add decor and gambling stations to support the cover operation and the inner operations of the base with the cover operations lowering the resolve of infiltrating agents and distracting them .<ref name="GIPre"/> There are four evil geniuses for players to choose from at the beginning of the game, each of whom has their own unique missions, specialties and doomsday devices. Players also need to choose from three islands which have different designs and features.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/evil-genius-2-updates-the-best-parts-of-the-cult-classic-villainy-sim/|title=Evil Genius 2 updates the best parts of the cult classic villainy sim|first=Jonathon|last=Bolding|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=19 October 2020|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> Inside the base, the players can train various minions into three different classes: Muscle, Deception, and Science. Each minion has unique personalities and traits. For instance, some minions are more observant than others, allowing them to detect suspicious individuals.<ref name="GIPre"/>
Players need to send their minions to the world to complete missions and commit crimes in order to collect gold. Players would gradually construct their own criminal network, and recruit powerful crime bosses as their [[henchmen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/evil-genius-2-devs-share-new-details-on-henchmen-and-lair-construction/|title=Evil Genius 2 devs share new details on henchmen and lair construction|first=Morgan|last=Park|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=20 June 2020|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> Players can also complete side stories in order to unlock minion specialists or special loot items.<ref name="IGN Dev gameplay">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrB12L-qQ44&t=139s|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination - First Gameplay Reveal|work=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=9 February 2021|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> As the player's operations expand, they will attract the attention of the Forces of Justice, which will send agents to investigate and infiltrate the player's base. Players can test their doomsday device in different parts of the world whenever they want, though the Forces of Justice will try to intervene.<ref name="GIPre">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/10/19/evil-genius-2-world-domination-preview-a-fun-road-to-doomsday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101033549/https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2020/10/19/evil-genius-2-world-domination-preview-a-fun-road-to-doomsday|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2020|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination Preview – A Fun Road To Doomsday|first=Brian|last=Shea|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=19 October 2020|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> The minions can be sent into high alert, where they would try to actively seek, capture or kill the intruder.<ref name="IGN Dev gameplay"/> The ultimate objective of the game's narrative campaign is to take over the world and deploy the weapon of mass destruction which would then prompt the Forces of Justice to surrender.<ref name="IGN Dev gameplay"/>
Among the playable villains include a former spymaster Emma (voiced by [[Samantha Bond]]), tyrant and ex-henchman Red Ivan ([[Brian Blessed]]), the gold-fanatic industrialist Maximilian (Glen McCready), and the mad scientist Zalika ([[Rakie Ayola]]).<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/former-miss-moneypenny-samantha-bond-has-been-cast-in-evil-genius-2/ | title = Former Miss Moneypenny Samantha Bond has been cast in Evil Genius 2 | first=  Chris | last =Scullion | date = 2 March 2021 | accessdate = 2 March 2021 | work = [[Video Games Chronicle]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url = https://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/378048/EVIL_GENIUS_2_VOICE_CAST_ANNOUNCED_FEATURING_SAMANTHA_BOND__BRIAN_BLESSED.php | title = Evil Genius 2 Voice Cast Announced, Featuring Samantha Bond & Brian Blessed | publisher = Rebellion Games | via = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 2 March 2021 | accessdate = 2 March 2021 }}</ref>
==Development==
Financial reports at the end of 2004 revealed [[Elixir Studios]], the developer of the first ''Evil Genius'', had begun work on a sequel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/evil-genius/573258p1.html|title=GameSpy: Evil Genius 2 In The Works - Page 1|website=pc.gamespy.com|access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>  However, the studio's closure in 2005 led to the project's cancellation. While Rebellion purchased the intellectual property rights to Elixir's titles, the franchise remained dormant for several years aside from being re-released on digital platforms before the sudden 2010 release of the [[Facebook application|Facebook app]] ''Evil Genius: WMD'', which took the IP and applied it to the ''[[FarmVille]]'' style of apps popular at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/evil-genius--wmd-free-to-play-facebook-game-from-rebellion-based-on-the-pc-original|title=Evil Genius: WMD|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=2 December 2010|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> Rebellion then developed and released ''Evil Genius Online''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-12-19-remember-evil-genius-theres-an-online-version-on-facebook-and-its-in-open-beta|title=Remember Evil Genius? There's an online version on Facebook and it's in open beta|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=19 December 2013|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> Similar to the original, ''Evil Genius Online'' maintained the idea of attaining power and building elaborate lairs and hiring minions, progressing using timed missions that could be sped up or bypassed with [[virtual currency]]. In a blog post on their website, [[Rebellion Developments]] addressed rumours about a 'sequel' that had been circulating via [[Twitter]]. Specifically, the post said that this was not in reference to ''Evil Genius Online'', but instead concerned a fully featured PC follow-up:
{{quote|We've always wanted to make a fully-featured PC follow-up. We've taken concepts for an ''Evil Genius'' sequel to publishers before but we weren't able to secure the funding we needed. However since then, we've looked into alternative ways to get this game funded and created. We are going to make this happen. And it's going to be soon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/evil-genius-sequel-cards-it-s-going-be-soon|title=Evil Genius sequel on the cards, "it's going to be soon"|first=Matt|last=Purslow|work=[[PCGamesN]]|date=May 29, 2014|access-date=February 9, 2021}}</ref>}}
''Evil Genius 2'' was announced by Rebellion in July 2017 as being in development since Q2 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/2017/07/04/evil-genius-2-is-finally-happening-at-rebellion/ | title = Evil Genius 2 is finally happening at Rebellion | first = Sharif | last = Saed |date  =4 July 2017 | access-date = 4 July 2017 | work = [[VG247]] }}</ref> The game also utilizes Rebellion's in-house Asura engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-04-evil-genius-2-in-development-at-rebellion|title=Evil Genius 2 in development at Rebellion|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=4 July 2017|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> At [[E3 2019]] Rebellion premiered the first trailer for the sequel, titled ''Evil Genius 2: World Domination'', and stated that the game would be released on Steam sometime in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/rebellion-unveils-our-first-look-at-villain-sim-evil-genius-2-556787.phtml|title=Rebellion unveils our first look at villain sim Evil Genius 2|first=Chris|last=Carter|work=[[Destructoid]]|date=10 June 2019|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> The game was delayed to 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], which slowed down the pace of the game's development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/evil-genius-2-delays-world-domination-until-2021/1100-6481494/|title=Evil Genius 2 Delays World Domination Until 2021|first=Alessandro|last=Barbosa|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=27 August 2020|access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> The game was released on 30 March 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/evil-genius-2-world-domination-will-be-out-in-march/ | title = Evil Genius 2: World Domination will be out in March | first = Andy | last=  Chalk | date = 28 January 2021 | access-date = 28 January 2021 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> In August 2021, it was announced that the game would be released for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] on 30 November 2021.<ref name="Consoles releases"/><ref name="Consoles release date"/>
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 75/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/evil-genius-2-world-domination/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| Destruct = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-evil-genius-2-world-domination-624201.phtml|title=Review: Evil Genius 2: World Domination|website=[[Destructoid]]|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| GI = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/evil-genius-2-world-domination/evil-genius-2-review-a-foiled-plan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329151253/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/evil-genius-2-world-domination/evil-genius-2-review-a-foiled-plan|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 March 2021|title= Evil Genius 2 Review – A Foiled Plan|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review/1900-6417657/|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination Review |website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| HCG = 4/5<ref>{{cite web|last=Helm|first=Jordan|date=March 29, 2021|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-evil-genius-2-world-domination/401204/|title=Review: Evil Genius 2: World Domination|website=Hardcore Gamer|access-date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>
| IGN = 6/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination Review |website=[[IGN]]|date=29 March 2021 |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| JXV = 15/20<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1384015/evil-genius-2-world-domination-que-vaut-le-retour-du-jeu-de-gestion-culte.htm|title=Evil Genius 2 : World Domination - Que vaut le retour du jeu de gestion culte ?|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|date=29 March 2021 |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| PCM = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Williams|first=Mike|date=April 2, 2021|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/evil-genius-2-world-domination-for-pc|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination (for PC) Review|magazine=[[PCMag]]|access-date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 75/100<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review/|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination review|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
| PSQ = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Barker|first=Sammy|date=November 29, 2021|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/evil-genius-2-world-domination|title=Mini Review: Evil Genius 2: World Domination (PS5) - A Compelling, Cat-Stroking Tycoon Title|website=[[Gamer Network#Partnered|Push Square]]|publisher=[[Gamer Network]]|access-date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>
| SN = 9/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Jarrard|first=Chris|date=March 29, 2021|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/123568/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review-bad-boys-for-life|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination review - Bad boys for life|website=[[Shacknews]]|access-date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>
| TG = 4/5<ref>{{cite news|last=Boxer|first=Steve|date=April 8, 2021|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2021/apr/08/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review-live-out-your-bond-villain-fantasies|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination review – live out your Bond-villain fantasies|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=September 21, 2024}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[CGMagazine]]''
| rev1Score = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/reviews/evil-genius-2-world-domination-review/|title=Evil Genius 2: World Domination Review|website=[[Computer Games Magazine]]|date=29 March 2021 |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
''Evil Genius 2'' received "generally favorable" reviews from critics, according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC" />
{{clear}}
===Awards and accolades===
The game was nominated for Best Sim/Strategy Game at [[The Game Awards 2021]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-nominations-announced |title=The Game Awards Nominations Announced |first=Adele |last=Ankers |website=ign.com |date=16 November 2021 |access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|https://evilgeniusgame.com/en}}
{{Rebellion Developments}}
[[Category:2021 video games]]
[[Category:Dungeon management games]]
[[Category:Rebellion Developments games]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Spy video games]]
[[Category:Simulation video games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 5 games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games featuring villain protagonists]]