
Release Date: July 21, 2025
A real-time strategy with tower defense and roguelite elements. In The King is Watching we become a monarch who rules the kingdom using their gaze. Our subordinates will work and fight for us only when they are being carefully watched.
The King is Watching is an RTS with roguelite elements. The game was developed by Hypnohead studio. It was released by tinyBuild and its publishing portfolio includes the Hello Neighbor series and many other indie productions, led by Graveyard Keeper.
The King is Watching is a combination of an economic strategy, a tower defense title, and a time management game. Apart from constructing things inside the castle we only control the gaze of the monarch, which "activates" the operation in specific buildings: farms, mines, workshops or barracks. Since our vision only covers a limited part of the map, the key to success is proper planning and balancing priorities.
Every resource - from wheat, through coal and stone, to silver - plays a key role in the development and defense of the kingdom. Food allows to sustain the population, building resources strengthen the walls, and money enables the recruitment of units and the use of magic. We have been given archers, catapults, magic towers and other means of defense at our disposal, the effectiveness of which depends on proper management of the game's economy.
We need to repel successive waves of enemies in the game, led by random generals with unique characteristics and tactics. Every battlefield presents new challenges - from haunted graveyards to hellish wastelands - which require a flexible approach to strategy.
Although each defeat ends the current reign, it allows for permanent improvements: new units, tactical abilities, or members of the royal council - including sages, generals, and strategists - who make future attempts easier.
The King is Watching offers a campaign mode, in which we go through successive stages of the kingdom's history. There is also a survival mode, where the goal is to fend off endless waves of enemies. Additionally, a challenge mode is available, offering special scenarios with unique victory conditions.
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Hypnohead
Publisher: tinyBuild Games
Age restrictions: 12+
Similar Games:
This week, games such as Killing Floor 3, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, The King is Watching, No Sleep For Kaname Date - From AI: The Somnium Files, Wildgate, Hell Clock, Grimshire, and Monument Valley 3 will be released on Steam.
video games
Adrian Werner
July 22, 2025
System Requirements for The King is Watching Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
CPU 2.0 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB, 1 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10/11.
List of Game Expansions for Video Game:

Expansion
March 16, 2026
Strategy
Steam
Game Ratings for The King is Watching Video Game.
Screen Hype: 7.5 / 10 by Michael Manning
The ways in which the game lets you lay out your run are very satisfying, mainly handled by prophecies. After a few battles, you gain the ability to choose the enemy layouts, intensity, and rewards of the next fights. These choices grant some of that feeling of control, but the exact rewards are still left up to chance. As is the curse of rogue-likes, sometimes you'll just get unlucky. Being offered productions you can't afford and resources you don't need is maddening, but it adds to the satisfaction of a run where it all comes together.
DualShockers: 9 / 10 by Jack Penwell
Overall, I had an absolute blast with The King is Watching. The main gameplay loop is extremely well thought-out and incredibly engaging, and I can't wait to continue playing the game and seeing what all the Kings and advisors bring to the table. Speaking of, I feel my gaze needs to fall on to Steam again now. The King needs to watch his subjects, after all.
Thumb Culture: 4 / 5
The King is Watching is a strategic gem hiding behind cute sprites and a duck with nerdy specs. It’s a roguelite builder that dares to do something different, even if that sometimes means being confusing or needlessly punishing. There’s a joy in experimenting within the King’s Gaze; rotating your influence to power a barracks before the goblins crash the gates desperately, and a real sense of satisfaction when a plan comes together. While the lack of a save system and progression hurdles are definite thorns in the crown, Hypnohead still crafted a refreshingly weird and mechanically rich experience. With tinyBuild behind them, we’re hopeful for updates, tweaks, and perhaps a few more ducks. The King Is Watching receives a Thumb Culture Gold Award. A worthy kingdom, ruled with charm, chaos, and just a little quackery.
The main pros of the game
The main cons of the game
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
Summary
Summary generated on: