Villainy is a superhero board game for two to four players with a twist. Instead of trying to beat the plans of evil masterminds to save the day, you are a super villain trying to build your villainous team of baddies.
Players begin by setting up a player board and selecting a super villain to play. Each player must accomplish a set of three evil plots of increasing difficulty and then beat the superhero Fantastiman in a final battle to win.
The game consists of hiring henchmen to join the criminal group, improving skills, fighting other villains, dealing with an alter ego and earning money. The game feels like an unfolding comic book narrative driven by cards that show available options.
Each game is different as players assemble different teams of minions and acquire different cards. The atmosphere is more silly than serious and the artwork, flavor, text and gameplay evoke a great sense of Golden Age superhero comic books.
The final battle with Fantastiman can be frustrating as players' well-built plans crumble into dust and defeat as Fantastiman beats them into submission. Players can regroup and try again, just like in the comic books. Overall, the game has so many elements to like that it is worthy of a serious look.