Summary

  • Use the speed and pause feature for better management.
  • Always maintain a large force of troops for protection.
  • Upgrade your King's vision to maximize resource generation.

The King is Watching is a recently released tower-defense game with roguelite elements integrated into the gameplay, combining to create a truly entertaining experience for players. Upon dropping into the game world, players are in charge of a small patch of land. They must begin their playthrough by building structures, harvesting resources, forging powerful armies, and handling an onslaught of invaders.

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The King is Watching presents a title with a simple premise that unfolds into greater complexity as players progress, crafted by the talented developers at Hypnohead. For players new to the tower defense and roguelite genres, or to the game in general, here are some beginner-friendly tips to help out on first playthroughs.

7 Take Advantage Of The Speed And Pause Feature

The King Is Watching Has A Core Feature To Aid Players

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The King is Watching is an innovative roguelite that introduces several new mechanics to the genre, making the game stand out from its peers while also making the player's playthrough more manageable. When players progress through their playthrough, things can quickly get out of hand, and they will need quick thinking and reflexes to prepare, reorganize, and adjust their kingdoms to combat threats.

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Thankfully, The King is Watching gives players the ability to adapt the campaign's game speed and even pause the game to address pressing matters that require more attention. If the wolves are at the door, don't be afraid to take a moment and pause the game to gain a clear understanding of what needs immediate attention.

6 Maintain Use Of Valuable Space When Available

Expanding And Constructing New Structures Is Essential

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The King is Watching incorporates tower-defense/kingdom builder aspects that players must focus on as they advance further in their playthrough. They are given a finite amount of space to craft, construct, and manage to progress and must use this space appropriately to cultivate enough resources to fit their needs.

Initially, space should be prioritized for necessities. After obtaining those resources, players should remove or adjust existing facilities, such as Wells, to make room for more important structures and improve the overall layout of their kingdom.

5 Always Spawn Troops To Capacity And Upgrade Them When Able

Maintain A Sizable Force For Protection And Offense

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The goal of The King Is Watching is to survive, and as siege upon siege crashes against the player's defenses, if the force behind the walls isn't as strong as the foundation, then their playthrough is sure to end early. Troops play a vital part in defense; they can combat the enemies that threaten the King's land.

Players should always keep an eye out to ensure that the "Spawn Troops to Capacity" feature is toggled on and that they upgrade their forces whenever resources are available. When the game's primary mechanic is that players can only choose one thing at a time to focus on due to the King's Gaze feature, it's essential to think ahead and plan accordingly.

4 Archers Are An Invaluable Investment

Reliable Range Units

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Among the units that players can take advantage of in the early game, Archers hold their weight in gold throughout the whole playthrough. Archers should be a standard choice when starting out and should be continuously upgraded when the opportunity arises.

Archers have high damage output and can boost gold output as well, making them incredibly valuable for players at the beginning of their run. Specifically, their damage output makes holding down the fort easier, while profits continue to increase thanks to the kills the archer gets.

3 Be Flexible And Don't Be Afraid To Remove Unnecessary Structures

Structures May Have A Shelf Life, And That's Ok

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Maintaining resource production is essential, and a bit of grand strategy does exist in The King Is Watching, but focusing too much on any one key factor can cause other areas of a strong playthrough to suffer. Too many offensive powers and no walls to fend off invaders won't make for a strong playthrough either.

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Time management and the ability to adjust focus on what is needed at the moment are just as important as looking ahead to defend against what is to come. With the limited space of the King's View, players will want to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket and instead be very varied in the resources they decide to invest time in. Similarly, they shouldn't get too attached to any structures; buildings may need to be removed to make room for more urgent needs.

2 Adjust The King's Gaze As Needed

The King's Vision Is A Vital Component Of Resource Generation

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One of the most vital aspects of The King Is Watching is the King's Gaze, a vital gameplay feature that engages the environment and allows the production of resources. The King's Gaze is a core mechanic that acts as a benevolent outline, initially encompassing three tiles within the kingdom that activate structures.

This presents a challenge, as players must choose which resources to focus on and which ones to put on hold. Players will need to actively manage their King's Gaze and ensure that the right structures are activated at the correct time and in the right position.

1 Always Increase Your Gaze Size

With Such A Valuable Mechanic, Players Should Invest In Upgrades Often

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The activation zone, or King's Gaze, begins with three tiles in an "L" shape. When placed over structures, it activates their production, and players can start creating resources. As the game progresses, players will, of course, need more and more resources and must construct more structures to obtain them while making the hard choices of which structures to turn on and which to wait for.

Thankfully, as players progress, the King's Gaze can be upgraded to a maximum of six tiles, and players should always grab this upgrade when they have the option. Few things will make a bigger difference in the strength of their kingdom.

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