Introduction
Listen up, genius! If you’re as indecisive about your starting island or base layout as I was during my first 25 hours of tutorial madness, you’ve landed in the right spot. This guide is packed with everything I learned—from island quirks to room placement strategies—to help you build a formidable lair that stands up to enemy forces while keeping your plans flexible and expandable. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned villain, read on to master the art of island strategy in Evil Genius 2.

Island 1: Crown Gold – The Classic Tropical Paradise
Overview
Crown Gold is the recommended starter island. With its idyllic tropical vibes, it might look like paradise, but don’t be fooled—the proximity to the Patriot forces makes it vulnerable, while Saber and Smash can quickly turn your dreams into a nightmare.
Base Layout Essentials
• Entrances & Early Defense:
There are two key entrances to defend: one near your helipad and another at the casino side. The casino not only gives you extra space (thanks to a few dig-out spots) but also sets the stage for early expansion.
• Core Rooms Deep in the Base:
o Vault, Power Station, Control Room: These rooms are the backbone of your operation. Place them deep within your base to keep them safe from those pesky infiltrators (trust me on this—certain slimy characters have a penchant for them).
o Inner Sanctum & Laboratory: These should also be tucked away in the back. Depending on which Evil Genius you’re playing, you might prioritize expanding one over the other.
• Additional Facilities:
o Prison: Place near the back, with expansion potential as your operations grow.
o Training Room: Position this close to the prison but with enough room to expand, as you’ll need extra training devices once your minion count rises.
Pro Tip
For a little extra firepower when things get out of hand, consider adding a small power station with incinerators at the intersection of your main halls. This setup helps manage heat when the action heats up.
Entrance-Area Buildings
• Barracks:
Located near the entrance to benefit from lower heat and constant minion traffic (they’re always shuffling in and out, ready to respond).
• Mess Hall, Archives & Armory:
o Armory: Although it draws more attention, if you prefer it closer to the entrance for rapid combat response, make sure there’s a clear path for your guard minions. Alternatively, move it a bit further back if you’re all about stealth.
• Staff Room & Infirmary:
These can be placed flexibly between the core and entrance areas—just avoid overlapping your future expansion zones.

Island 2: Las Montanas Jimelas – The Twin Mountains
Overview
Las Montanas Jimelas, Spanish for “The Twin Mountains,” is all about dramatic pillar action and flexibility. Smash forces are drawn to this island, but be wary—messing with Saber’s turf on the world map can trigger their wrath.
Strategic Layout: Two Sides, Two Styles
• The Big Side:
o Primary Facilities: Position your power station, control room, and vault here.
o Additional Rooms: Incorporate your laboratory and inner sanctum in this area.
o Alternate Option: Instead of a prison, consider an archives room to speed up your minions’ research recharge.
• The Small Side:
o Essential Buildings: This is the spot for your prison (if not placed on the big side) and armory.
o Play Style Adjustments:
 For an aggressive approach, build these near the entrance so your combat minions can respond swiftly.
 For a more defensive or stealthy style, keep them a bit further back, giving enemy agents a longer, trap-laden journey.
Extra Tips
• Flexibility in Floor Design:
The island’s layout is dynamic—the big side becomes the small side as you move to lower floors and vice versa. Plan your expansion with this in mind.
• Creative Space Utilization:
Consider converting early casino space into additional minion rooms or repurposing unused corridors as extra barracks. Every bit of space counts in optimizing your lair’s efficiency.

Island 3: Kaneki – The Donut of Doom
Overview
Last but not least, meet Kaneki—affectionately known as the “Donut of Doom.” Despite its slightly smaller overall footprint compared to Las Montanas Jimelas, Kaneki boasts more initial building space than the first two islands combined. This unique island offers a single entry and exit, simplifying your defense strategy while providing maximum freedom to design your lair.
Building Your Base on Kaneki
• Deep in the Lair:
o Core Rooms: Place your power station, control room, laboratory, inner sanctum, and vault as far from the entrance as possible. In my second playthrough, I dug in about halfway through the base to allow for multi-floor expansion.
o Room Expansion: Don’t be afraid to dig deep—even if it means grinding a bit of extra gold at the start, the payoff is a lair that’s ready for the long haul.
• Additional Facilities:
o Prison & Training Room: These should be placed toward the back. A spacious training room will be invaluable as your minions grow in number.
o Entrance Customization: With only one way in and out, you have the freedom to design the entrance as a long, trap-filled corridor or a conventional barracks area complete with stat rooms (mess hall, staff room, infirmary, archives).
o Armory Placement: Adapt its position to suit your play style—whether you lean toward forceful confrontations or prefer a more measured, tactical approach.
Special Consideration
On Kaneki, the Patriot forces pose less of a threat initially, making it advantageous to farm them early on. This can give you an easier time building your base before facing Saber and other formidable foes.

Conclusion
There you have it—a comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to structuring your lair on all three starting islands in Evil Genius 2. From the sun-soaked vulnerabilities of Crown Gold to the flexible dual-sided design of Las Montanas Jimelas, and finally, the expansive potential of Kaneki, each island offers its own set of challenges and opportunities. Remember, the key to success lies in thoughtful room placement, ensuring ample expansion space, and tailoring your layout to your preferred play style.
Now, take these insights, experiment boldly, and design a lair that not only withstands enemy assaults but also propels you toward that sweet, sweet world domination. Happy building, genius!