Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Evil Genius offers a unique blend of global strategy and base management, split between two complementary maps: the World Domination map and the Secret Island at an Undisclosed Location. On the World Domination map, you plot Acts of Infamy, deploy henchmen to steal funds, and raise your criminal reputation until it’s feared around the globe. These missions are quick to plan yet deeply strategic, as you decide which countries to target, which minions to dispatch, and how to balance risk versus reward when enemy intelligence services close in.

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The heart of the game lies in the Secret Island map, where you build an elaborate underground lair worthy of any cinematic supervillain. Rooms for training minions, laboratories for researching new gadgets, and lavish recreation areas for morale management all must be carefully laid out. Traps range from the simple spike pit to more diabolical devices like laser fences and crushing walls—each requiring power, upkeep, and precise placement. Managing the flow of resources, arranging security cameras, and reacting to infiltrating agents make for a tense and rewarding micromanagement loop.

Recruitment and progression are tied to your infamy level, which unlocks new henchmen types, advanced technology, and more daring mission opportunities. Whether you prefer swarms of low-level minions or a handful of specialized operatives, the game lets you customize your workforce to match your style. The three selectable geniuses—each with unique abilities and thematic flair—add to replayability, encouraging you to experiment with different villain archetypes. Balancing world domination efforts with base defenses becomes a satisfying juggling act that rewards careful planning.

Overall, the gameplay shines by offering both macro-level strategy and micro-level base building. The pacing feels right: quick mission planning on the world map alternates with deeper base customization sessions. Random events, such as agent break-ins or power outages, keep you on your toes, ensuring that no two sessions play out exactly the same. Fans of Dungeon Keeper’s blend of management and mischief will find Evil Genius both familiar and refreshingly distinct.

Graphics

Evil Genius embraces a vibrant, stylized cartoon aesthetic that perfectly complements its 1960s spy-fi theme. The isometric view on the Secret Island allows for clear visibility of each room and trap, with bright color palettes distinguishing laboratories, barracks, and security zones. Character models—be they bumbling minions in silly uniforms or menacing super agents in dark suits—are richly animated and full of personality, with expressive gestures that add a constant stream of visual humor.

The World Domination map presents a sleek, minimalistic interface dotted with mission icons, country outlines, and supply lines. It’s functional without being sterile, using retro-styled map textures and period-appropriate fonts to evoke vintage spy thrillers. Whenever you launch an operation, a stylized cutscene graphic reminds you of classic Cold War propaganda posters—underscoring the game’s tongue-in-cheek homage to the era.

Special effects during trap activations and research breakthroughs are satisfyingly over-the-top. Explosions, lasers, and smoke fill the corridors of your base, punctuated by comedic “oof” sounds when agents wander into a pit of spikes. Lighting and shadow effects help you quickly spot dark corners and hidden passageways, while menu icons and overlays remain crisp and legible even when your base grows to sprawling proportions.

Story

Set against a backdrop of 1960s global tensions, Evil Genius spins a comedic narrative of a secret mastermind bent on world conquest. You choose from three villainous geniuses—each with a brief but amusing introductory cinematic that sets their personality and ultimate ambitions. Whether you prefer the suave mastermind with a penchant for theatrics or the mad scientist who cackles at every failed experiment, the game’s tone remains delightfully sardonic throughout.

The story unfolds indirectly through mission briefings, radio chatter, and occasional cutscenes featuring the relentless world governments. Five major powers continuously send agents and strike teams to thwart your plans, providing a charming cat-and-mouse dynamic. As your infamy grows, these adversaries escalate from lone agents to elite super agents, complete with dramatic entrances and taunting dialogue—a relentless reminder that you can never rest on your lava-pipe-lined laurels.

Side narratives emerge as you research new traps and abduct VIPs for interrogation, giving you glimpses into both international conspiracies and the personal quirks of captured operatives. Though there is no heavily scripted storyline path, the emergent stories—like a minion revolt caused by underpaid wages or a sudden spy infiltration during a gala event—bring life to your lair. The result is a sandbox tale that you shape with every stolen crate of gold and thwarted raid.

Overall Experience

Evil Genius stands out as a delightfully wicked strategy simulation that balances humor, depth, and strategic challenge. The dual-map mechanic keeps gameplay varied—sometimes you’re tweaking power conduits in your secret base, other times you’re deciding which country will host your next dramatic heist. This variety prevents monotony and ensures that players of all stripes—whether base builders or grand strategists—find something to love.

The game’s comedic tone never feels forced; instead, it infuses every menu screen, mission alert, and trap activation with sly wit. Voiceovers and written text are peppered with spy-film references and villainous bragging, making every interaction feel like part of a pulpy, over-the-top adventure. Even the failures—like losing millions when a mission goes awry—are cushioned by humor, turning frustration into motivation to refine your evil empire.

Replayability is robust, thanks to the three distinct geniuses, randomized mission triggers, and modular base-building options. The learning curve rewards persistence: early mistakes teach you how best to arrange your lair, manage your workforce, and respond to global threats. In the end, Evil Genius delivers a thoroughly engaging experience for anyone seeking a strategy game with character, charm, and the satisfaction of world domination—one trap and minion at a time.

Retro Replay Score

7.3/10