Beyond Carl: Your Next 5 LitRPG Obsessions After Dungeon Crawler Carl

So, you’ve been absolutely hooked by Matt Dinniman’s ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ series, haven’t you? We get it. That wild ride through a deadly dungeon, filled with quirky characters and an AI that’s just savage, has taken the LitRPG world by storm. But here’s the thing about truly epic reads: you finish them way too fast! If you’ve already devoured all eight books and are now staring blankly at your screen, wondering what to read next, don’t worry. PakGamersHub has got your back. While nothing can perfectly replicate the magic of DCC, we’ve got five fantastic LitRPG and progression fantasy series that offer similar thrills, deep worlds, and characters you’ll absolutely love.

1. He Who Fights With Monsters

First up, and a personal favorite for many, is ‘He Who Fights With Monsters.’ This LitRPG series takes pacing to another level with a protagonist, Jason Asano, who is delightfully unhinged and constantly pushing forward. Imagine a fantasy world with a unique leveling system, where the stakes are high, but there’s always room for a good laugh. Jason, a Japanese-Australian guy, gets sucked into a magical parallel Earth. His way of coping? Slinging pop culture references and absurd jokes that fly over everyone’s heads. It’s a fresh take on comedy, coming directly from the main character’s antics, unlike DCC’s external humor. With 12 books already out and the 13th hitting shelves this October, you’ve got plenty of content to dive into. Plus, the first book just got a snazzy hardcover edition!

2. Defiance of the Fall

If the apocalyptic vibe and the sheer struggle for survival in ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ were your jam, then ‘Defiance of the Fall’ is a must-read. This series kicks off with a similar premise: Earth suddenly gets integrated into a massive ‘System’ that governs the entire universe. Our main man, Zachary Atwood, finds himself isolated, armed with just a hatchet and a whole lot of luck. He’s forced to level up and uncover universal secrets through grit and combat as invaders eye Earth’s resources. While it might not have the same laugh-out-loud comedy as DCC, it offers a compelling story of fighting against impossible odds, eventually expanding into complex intergalactic politics. With a whopping 17 books in the series, you know you’re in for a long, thrilling journey with plenty of twists.

3. 1% Lifesteal

Robert Blaise’s ‘1% Lifesteal’ series is a refreshing take that surprised many readers, including us. Instead of a fresh apocalypse, this story is set long after one has reshaped the world. Meet Freddy Stern, your average cashier in a world ruled by ‘archhumans.’ After a near-death experience, he awakens a unique talent, finally breaking into a society that’s always kept him down. Freddy isn’t your typical hero; he’s not fighting for justice. He’s just a regular guy with newfound powers and a deep-seated dislike for those who abuse their strength. It’s got its moments of humor, but it’s a more grounded and gritty tale focusing on personal growth and fighting against systemic power structures. With four books available and a fifth on the horizon, it’s a series that offers a different flavor while still scratching that LitRPG itch.

4. Unsouled (Cradle Series)

Okay, so ‘Unsouled,’ the first book in Will Wight’s ‘Cradle’ series, isn’t strictly LitRPG, but trust us, if you love the quality writing and evolving political intrigue in DCC, you absolutely need to read this. It’s pure progression fantasy at its finest. Forget talking cats or sassy AIs; this series is just flat-out brilliant. We follow Lindon, a young boy born ‘Unsouled’ in his village, seemingly destined for a powerless life. Despite his determination, he seems stuck, until destiny (or the heavens themselves) intervenes, giving him a path to grow beyond his limitations and protect those he cares about. It’s an epic saga of battling powerful foes and fate itself to ascend to new heights. The best part? The entire 12-book series is complete, so no waiting for the next installment! If you lean more towards sci-fi, Wight’s ‘The Last Horizon’ series is also a fantastic choice.

5. The Wandering Inn

You can’t talk about the LitRPG genre without giving a massive shoutout to ‘The Wandering Inn.’ It’s one of those foundational stories that helped shape what we love about LitRPG today, and even Matt Dinniman himself calls it a favorite. While its overall tone might diverge from DCC, it shares that incredible uniqueness – there’s truly nothing else quite like it. The series shines with its exceptional character development and world-building, all centered around Erin Solstice, a girl who, like many others, is pulled into a magical new world. Here, classes, levels, skills, and a multitude of races with complex political dynamics define existence. While there’s plenty of action, the true heart of ‘The Wandering Inn’ lies in the friendships forged and the community built. As the longest-running LitRPG series out there, you can literally read the entire thing for free online, or grab the excellent audiobooks. A new paperback of the first book is also coming soon!