Evony: The King’s Return – A Newbie’s Hands-On Review

Diving into the medieval chaos of Evony: The King’s Return is much like stepping into a bustling marketplace in London—there’s excitement, confusion, and the undeniable thrill of possibilities. For anyone thinking about giving this mobile strategy game a whirl, this review aims to guide you through the early stages and give you a realistic picture of what to expect. As a beginner-friendly playthrough, I’ll be highlighting the aspects that matter most to rookies while sprinkling in insights for those curious about whether this game is worth their time.

Getting Started: The Foundation of Success

First things first, in Evony: The King’s Return, your Keep is your lifeline. Think of it as the heart of a bustling city; everything else radiates from its strength. New players should prioritize upgrading the Keep and fortifying the walls before anything else. It may be tempting to churn out troops or build resource tiles like there’s no tomorrow, but patience pays off. By leveling up your Keep efficiently, you unlock essential features like subordinate cities, higher-tier troops, and advanced buildings. In short, don’t put the cart before the horse—you need a strong base before thinking about offense.

Moreover, resources are the lifeblood of early development. Evony: The King’s Return provides various growth packages, chests, and event rewards. Newbies should avoid opening everything at once; hoarding can lead to mismanagement or even make you a target for more seasoned players. A measured approach ensures your city develops steadily without unnecessary setbacks. For instance, focusing on one or two key resource types while sending troops to gather the rest in the wild can be far more efficient than spreading yourself thin—a classic case of “don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

Troops, Tactics, and Teamwork

Transitioning smoothly, let’s talk troops. For beginners, cavalry is your best friend when it comes to PvE encounters. Archers are ideal for countering enemy mounted units, and siege units have their time to shine in both attack and defense, though they require careful management. In Evony: The King’s Return, you’ll soon realize that no amount of solo grinding can replace the benefits of playing with a capable alliance. Alliances provide reinforcements, collective attack bonuses, and, crucially, a sense of camaraderie that keeps the game from feeling like a lonely slog. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work”—never underestimate the power of teamwork, especially in a game that thrives on collaborative strategy.

As you progress, research becomes a critical component of your empire’s growth. Early research should prioritize construction speed and resource gathering efficiency. Avoid rushing into military upgrades until your foundational buildings and Keep are solid. This strategic pacing is essential for long-term success and ensures that when you finally mobilize your forces, they are as effective as possible.

Events, Rewards, and Smart Progression

On another note, Evony: The King’s Return peppers its gameplay with events, world bosses, and seasonal challenges. Participating in these not only provides a bounty of resources but also offers early exposure to competitive mechanics. Be sure to complete daily quests and claim login rewards—these small steps can snowball into substantial advantages later. In new servers, players who act promptly can secure high rankings and coveted rewards, giving them a head start against rivals.

It’s worth mentioning that while premium purchases can accelerate progress, smart use of free rewards and timed events allows even free-to-play players to thrive. Avoid spending impulsively; instead, focus on leveraging growth packages, chests, and strategic time management. After all, “look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves.”

Buildings, Subordinate Cities, and Strategic Depth

Shifting gears, let’s touch upon buildings. Besides your Keep and walls, key structures include the Academy, Tavern, Watchtower, Hospital, and Trap Factory. Each serves a distinct purpose: the Academy unlocks essential research; the Tavern provides rewards and generational opportunities; the Watchtower offers scouting intelligence; the Hospital ensures your troops survive battles; and the Trap Factory strengthens defensive capabilities. The game encourages layering strategy like a well-baked Victoria sponge—each element complements the others, creating a balanced and resilient empire.

Subordinate cities further amplify your strategic options. Unlocking them as soon as possible increases your troop capacity and provides additional opportunities for buffs and stat advantages. In a way, they act as extensions of your main Keep, spreading influence across the map while reinforcing your presence. Focusing on building and managing these early can save countless headaches down the line.

Stay Updated with Official Events

In addition to the guides above, players should also pay close attention to official events to get rewards as soon as possible, such as new generals or feature updates. For example, recent events include:

Taotie’s Challenge Event and the New Round of Civilization Celebration Events Are Now Live!

The ferocious Taotie, a monster born of greed and gluttony, has appeared! Join forces with your Alliance to defeat it and claim glorious rewards.

Taotie’s Challenge Event Details:

• During the event, you can obtain Taotie Summon Orders from Daily Activity Chests or by defeating monsters on the map.
• Earn points by defeating your summoned Taotie to unlock milestone rewards (each reward can only be claimed once).
• Taotie Summon Orders can also be exchanged for other items.
• Each summon randomly calls a Lv1, Lv2, or Lv3 Taotie. Only one Taotie can be summoned at a time, and it belongs to your Alliance.
• Defeating Taotie grants generous rewards — the higher its level, the better the rewards!

Final Thoughts

To wrap things up, Evony: The King’s Return is a game that rewards patience, planning, and social interaction. For newcomers, the initial learning curve may seem steep, but with proper guidance, early success is attainable and incredibly satisfying. The game blends city-building, resource management, and tactical warfare in a package that keeps you on your toes. With its rich alliance dynamics, events, and gradual power scaling, you’ll feel like a chess grandmaster in a medieval kingdom—every move matters.

Ultimately, this game is not just about grinding for victory. It’s about finding the right balance between progression, fun, and teamwork. By following these beginner-friendly strategies, new players can avoid common pitfalls, enjoy a smooth early experience, and feel prepared to tackle mid- and late-game challenges. In the words of British humor, “keep your pecker up”—stay positive and enjoy the ride, because Evony: The King’s Return offers a sandbox of endless medieval mayhem and opportunity, and it’s a game worth sinking your teeth into.