MiceMerch Review: It’s Easier to Be Bad in “Villainous: Introduction to Evil”

If you have ever been curious, now may be the perfect time to dive down the board gaming rabbit hole of Ravensburger’s Disney Villainous series. The new Introduction to Evil expansion features beginner-friendly streamlined gameplay and exclusive details created for this limited-edition release. Read on to see if it fits your style!

[Note: A sample of Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil was provided by Ravensburger. All opinions are my own.]

What is Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil?

Introduction to Evil is Ravensburger’s latest entry in their long-running Disney Villainous board game series. Unlike the other Villainous games, this one is a limited edition item. The title was created for the Disney100 Celebration, honoring the Walt Disney Studios’ 100th milestone anniversary, and has special packaging with an iridescent Disney100 label and pearlescent character movers.

Perhaps because this title is a limited-edition item, it also includes a plastic cauldron to hold the power tokens, a mainly-cosmetic component I have never encountered in other Disney Villainous games.

Beyond the superficial elements, Introduction to Evil is intended to be more accessible to Disney fans interested in the series but intimidated by the complex rules seen in the earlier other sets. Even just by comparing page numbers, there is a stark difference between this game’s instruction booklet’s length (8 pages) and the previously-released Disney Villainous: Bigger and Badder (19 pages).

While the overall strategy elements remain the same, getting started is much simpler. Here are some of the differences that I noticed:

• Every player gets two power tokens at the start of the game. In others, how many tokens you start with depends on your turn order.
• All of the game’s villains have the same layout; no unique arrangements or additional game pieces to consider.
• And one of the actions from earlier games, “Activate,” is not present in this game.

I will go over how to play this game in the next section, but if you want to learn more about previous entries, please give our earlier reviews a look:

Disney Villainous Game Gets Bigger and Badder

MiceMerch Review: Play Bounty Hunter in Star Wars Villainous: Scum and Villainy

Basic Gameplay Concepts

Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil is intended for 2 to 4 players, ages 10 and up. Play sessions typically last 20 minutes per player. Players can choose between Captain Hook, Maleficent, Ursula, and Prince John. Each villain is represented in one of the character movers seen below. These pieces show your location on your Realm board.

And here are those Realm boards in their folded form. They open like a book to reveal four locations from the villain’s movie.

Each villain has its own conditions that must be met to win. These are more commonly known in the game as “objectives.” The first player to reach their objective is the winner.

Each player is given their character’s corresponding Villain Guide detailing those conditions along with a two-sided reference card, which briefly lists everyone’s objectives on one side and a key to the game’s different symbols on the other.

Here’s a look at Maleficent’s board laid out and ready for play. On the left are the Fate cards (the light ones on the top) and Villain cards (the dark ones on the bottom). Fate cards are used against you by other players to hinder your progress. The Villain cards are yours to draw and implement as the situation dictates.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each villain’s objectives, realms, and cards…

Playing as Maleficent

As you might expect from the evil fairy who cursed Princess Aurora, Maleficent’s objective is to have one of her curses (found in her Villain Card deck) placed at each location on her Realm board. Of course, Prince Philip and the three good fairies will attempt to derail your plan, but siccing your henchmen on them will teach those do-gooders a lesson.

This is Maleficent’s Realm. The locations included are the Forbidden Mountains, Briar Rose’s Cottage, the Forest, and King Stefan’s Castle.

Within Maleficent’s Villain Card deck, you’ll come across Ally (like “Raven,” whose name is actually Diablo), Item (like “Spinning Wheel”), Effect (like “Dragon Form”), Condition (like “Tranny”), and Curse (like “Forest of Thorns”) cards. The Curse-type cards are unique to Maleficent, and their use is required to reach her victory objective.

Those playing as Maleficent will also encounter Item (like “Sword of Truth”), Effect (like “Once Upon a Dream”), and Hero (like “Merryweather”) cards in the Fate Card deck, all of which will attempt to hinder your progress.

Playing as Prince John

Prince John’s greed and grudges shine through in his objective to have at least 20 power tokens and throw Robin Hood in jail. He’ll have to balance spending his power, which is used to hire his henchmen to capture Robin Hood, and hoarding power to reach that portion of his objective.

On Prince John’s Realm board is Sherwood Forest, Friar Tuck’s Church, Nottingham, and the Jail.

In his Villain Card deck, Prince John will encounter Ally (like “Trigger”), Item (like “Golden Arrow”), Effect (like “Beautiful, Lovely Taxes”), and Condition (like “Cowardice”) cards.

And for Fate Cards, expect to find Item (like “Clever Disguise”), Effect (like “Steal from the Rich”), and Hero (like “Robin Hood”) cards. The Robin Hood card is needed for Prince John to complete his objective.

Playing as Captain Hook

Captain Hook’s single-minded ambition to best Peter Pan is translated into his victory objective. To win, he must defeat Peter Pan after luring him to the Jolly Roger. Peter’s crew, the Lost Boys, will try to deter you with distractions, but surely you can outwit a bunch of kids, right?

The locations on Captain Hook’s Realm board are the Jolly Roger, Skull Rock, Mermaid Lagoon, and the Lost Boy’s Hideout.

Within Captain Hook’s Villain Card deck, there are Ally (like “Mr. Starkey”), Item (like “Hook’s Case”), Effect (like “Aye, Aye, Sir!”), and Condition (like “Cunning”) cards.

And his Fate Card deck includes Item (like “Taunt”), Effect (like “Splitting Headache”), and Hero (like “Peter Pan”) cards. Finding Peter Pan’s card is the first step to victory.

Playing as Ursula

Ursula’s plan to usurp King Triton’s throne goes into action as you work to move his trident and crown into your lair. With the help of your two loyal eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, and a few soul-binding contracts, you’ll be the Seas’ new ruler (or despot) in no time!

On Ursula’s Realm board, the locations are Ursula’s Lair, Eric’s Ship, the Shore, and the Palace.

Ursula has Ally (like “Jetsam”), Item (like “Trident” and “Crown”), Effect (like “Poor Unfortunate Souls”), and Condition (like “Trickery”) cards in her Villain Card deck.

And her Fate Card deck contains Item (like “Snarfblat”), Effect (like “Return to Form”), and Hero (like “Max”) cards.

Final Thoughts on Villainous: Introduction to Evil

The aspects long-time players are fond of can still be found in Introduction to Evil. The art on the cards and Realm boards is positively gorgeous. Fans of the characters and movies they are from will be delighted with different references, some more obscure than others, hidden throughout the game. And it is always a kick to take on the role of some of Disney’s most beloved baddies.

The game is a wonderful gateway to the series. And since you can mix this set with other earlier releases, it is the perfect way to introduce a family member to your next play session.

However… there is one issue I should note, and while, thankfully, it does not affect the gameplay, it still needs to be addressed. Some of the pearlescent character movers I received had smudges and cracks on them. These flaws were so prevalent that I almost wondered if they were intentional, but I can’t imagine that to be the case.

Prince John:

Captain Hook:

Ursula:

For something that some people may intend to purchase as a collector’s item because of its limited-edition status, this is disappointing. I don’t know how many copies look similar to mine, but it is something to take into consideration if the collectibility is what draws your interest.

To Sum Up

If you are hoping to wade into the deep gameplay that the Villainous games are known for, Introduction to Evil is a must-buy. But if you see it as less a source of entertainment and more of a collector’s item, I would proceed with caution due to the figure quality.

How to Purchase Villainous: Introduction to Evil

The game is available to purchase exclusively from Target, starting on July 30, for $34.99. 

Let’s Hear from You

Are you interested in picking up Disney Villainous: Introduction to Evil? Does the change in playstyle appeal to you? And what are your thoughts about the limited edition aspect of the game? Let us know in the comments below!

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