So, you heard the hype about this game, played bunch of other games that are known to be clones of this game, then you downloaded this game . You started your first game, and .... this game is hard! You are making almost no progress at all! Even the starting monsters are hard to kill, and even if you make some progress you are forced to run away from the XP gems by hordes of tough monsters. Then randomly you are surrounded by a wall of plants while some tough unkillable mobs kill you around 10 mins! You make like 100 gold a game and the metaprogression is so expensive! How do you even make progress and start having fun? Grind for hours? Break all torches? You start contemplating uninstall. Fear not my friend! The fun game is there, its just hidden! And here is the secret: #### You get to level 20 in the Mad Forest, somehow, then you unlock the Library. The Library is way easier, you actually have fun, and can easily have 30 min runs and make like 3k gold. This is where the real game begins. You can now actually unlock metaprogression and unlock characters ! I had a 30 minute run in my first try, and I had no idea about evolutions! Disclaimer: If you want and like tough games, ignore this and play as you want! Quick tips for getting to Level 20 in the mad forest: 1. Use Imelda. her weapon is consistent and easy to use. It also evolves with Empty tome, though you will be lvl 20 before evolving. - Also, she gets +XP as passive, allowing you to level faster. 2. No shame in picking up crown (+XP), though most guides will you tell you not to. However, Spinach and Empty Tome will help you more. 3. Pick up Garlic as soon as you see it. Do not level it past level 2 . Now all Bats are free XP (except bosses). Simply walk into them, they cannot hurt you. Simply walk into the swarm of bats for a lot of XP (Unless they are pushing other tough monsters, juke those)! 4. Pick up upgrades for existing weapons rather than pick up new weapons. This is a good idea always, not just for this case. 5. Do not buy PowerUp Greed like most guides say! You can do that with the fat library money. I would recommend a few points in damage. +XP is good but too expensive. 6. Remember, your goal is not to kill any tough monsters, not to get gold, you just need to get to level 20. Kill easy monsters, pick up XP, repeat. 7. If you are full HP, you can push out of the circle of plants if the monsters in there with you are tough. 8. Destroy torches if you are low HP, there is a small chance of spawning a roast chicken that will heal you. Stand close to them to do this.