8 video games like Dungeon Crawler Carl

Dungeon Crawler Carl Exploding in popularity over the past year, Matt Dinniman's novels represent the pinnacle of the LitRPG genre. DCC already has a webcomic on Webtoon, a live-action show, a graphic novel, and a tabletop RPG are on the way. However, a video game has yet to be announced, even though it seems like such a clear path for an adaptation. This begs the question: Are there any similar games Dungeon Crawler Carl?

Imprisoned in the dungeon of a hellish reality show world by alien conquerors, Carl and his feline friend Princess Donut struggle to survive absurd monsters, entertain cruel masters, and break the system, a journey that gradually erodes the everyday hero's humanity. Despite the books taking a lot of inspiration from video games and RPGs in general, it's surprisingly difficult to find titles that scratch the same itch. However, we will do this by focusing on games that reflect specific elements of the game DCC rather than looking for something that has everything.

Traditional recommendations: Diablo 4, Skyrim, The Witcher 3, Fallout 4etc., can definitely do the job for anyone DCC fans crave the role-playing epic and it shines in a variety of areas. However, I want to avoid recommending a game just because it shares RPG mechanics or loot with the books, because that comparison isn't interesting or specific enough. Also everyone who likes DCC probably knows about The Elder Scrolls​

Showgunners and DCC are both about surviving a dystopian nightmare reality show

The Game Show

While the turn-based tactical combat may not quite match the action-packed excitement of the books, Showgunner feels like a spiritual sibling Dungeon Crawler Carl in almost every other way. As Scarlett, players participate in a game show called “Murder All-Stars” where they fight their way through scenarios and try to outsmart enemies and a god-like director. The latter works great as a replacement DCCSystem AI (minus the obsession with feet) with the show director specifically targeting Scarlett with unfair traps, all in hopes of improving ratings.

Much like Carl needs to improve his popularity to gain patrons, Scarlett needs to interact with fans to increase her fame level and unlock sponsors, and both are treated more like brands than actual people. Showgunner's fight is similar XCOM and encourages players to consider the environment and synergies, reflecting Carl's calculated approach to encounters.

MadWorld offers a stylish and brutal spectacle for the masses

Dungeon Crawler Carl in almost all of his books, he maintains a clean, untamed energy that reflects the chaotic absurdity of World Dungeon's broadcasts and its unpredictable, manic system AI. During one of its more out-of-control episodes, this episode can create a similar scenario MadWorldsplatter-fest, a hyper-violent death game that rewards gore with praise and points. We don't really have to imagine that, as the dungeon will occasionally reward Carl with loot or achievements for his more creative kills. MadWorld is built entirely on this concept.

This Wii classic centers on DeathWatch, a game show that uses a cut off city as its setting where contestants try to kill each other for money and glory. Most of the participants are normal people and they have to participate or they will be killed by the pros. Varrigan City is actually a lawless dungeon and MadWorld it even includes sponsors, crowd favorites and similar main event fights DCCfloor bosses.

Finally, MadWorld's commentators of color could also apply DCC's broadcasting roles, as their cynicism and vulgarity would be a perfect fit.

Other bloody games: Apex Legends, Final, Rollerdrome, Dicey Dungeons, Smash TVand DeathSprint 66

Caves of Qud & DCC Love Breaking the Rules

System RPG

With a simple look and isometric perspective Cave of Qud may not seem like a particularly great choice Dungeon Crawler Carl fans and I wouldn't recommend it to those who want intense Die Hard– a stylish event. However, Carl is not a brute who fights his way through challenges and instead relies on understanding and breaking the rules of the dungeon. Cave of Qud is the definitive “system” RPG, with everything essentially being simulated. Rather than handing you a weapon, the game presents you with a sandbox defined by strange chemistry and physics. The best path to success is to find combinations of items and mutations that essentially break the game.

The similarities go beyond the meta aspect as well. Cave of QudThe world is delightfully bizarre and unconventional, just like the World Dungeon. As a roguelike that allows for permadeath, the game brings tangible and unforgiving consequences, just like a crawler's life. If you're playing as a mutant, the transformations can be really bizarre and disturbing, just like Carl and Donut's experience choosing their races.

The Binding of Isaac has a Dungeon even worse than DCC

Floor-to-floor survival and body horror

Dungeon Crawler Carl it can start out fun and silly, but gradually becomes darker and heavier. As he ventures further into the World Dungeon, Carl commits acts that not only traumatize him, but also physically change him.

The Binding of Isaac it is structured like a World Dungeon, with players descending levels that are more terrifying and depraved. Since there is no escape, a sense of inevitability sets in and the only option is to push forward into the darkness. Isaac contains body horror in several ways, but the most memorable are the player's transformations through discovered items, and those are rarely pretty. Even the “rewards” for clearing rooms can make your life a lot harder, matching the random cruelty of the system AI.

Much like Carl's tendency to combine inventory in ways no one could have predicted, Isaac he locks his strongest builds around items that feel like a glitch.

Ask for another reason Isaac is ideal for DCC readers? You can transform into a powerful cat!

Borderlands 2 is drowning in corporate satire and loot

Probably one of the most obvious recommendations, but Border is like a looter-shooter alternative Dungeon Crawler Carl.

BL2 features a charismatic villain, Handsome Jack, who regularly sends sarcastic messages to the player while (initially) acting like their journey is just fun. Corporations control the universe and every bit of loot is a branded product. Human life means very little to responsible entities as it is reduced to mere entries on a spreadsheet. The famous “gazillion guns” tagline reflects the addictive nature of loot collecting and triggers a dopamine rush whenever something legendary drops. Heck, Vault Hunters aren't all that different from Crawlers, many of whom seek fortune and fame through life-and-death adventures.

Cyberpunk 2077's V And Johnny Are Gaming's Carl And Donut

A character driven RPG with the same central conflict as DCC

Full of humor and heart, Carl and Donut's dynamic is one of the best parts of the books and is the focal point Dungeon Crawler Carluser identity. Heroes with unpredictable sidekicks are hardly new, but there aren't that many games that include other elements like DCC. However, Cyberpunk 2077 just about qualification.

Obviously, V and Johnny serve as the RPG equivalent of Carl and Donut, though their relationship is much more prickly. V is stuck in his head with Johnny, a famous terrorist and rock star who constantly mocks his host's ideas and decisions. Like Donut, Johnny thinks he's the main character in the universe, and his presence changes V's life completely.

With its neon signs, corporate control, and meat grinder psyche, Night City isn't all that different from World Dungeon. Sure, its citizens may not be literally imprisoned, but escaping the cycle of the city is nearly impossible. As the campaign progresses, V gradually grows stronger by implementing cyberware and making physical changes that tear away parts of his human body. Carl's transformations are quite similar.

Finally, and most importantly, Cyberpunk 2077 asks V (and the player) if they will live a long, safe life or die young like a legend. Carl is constantly pushed to commit more heinous and legendary acts as he sprints towards his death and tries to destroy the system.

Noita lets you think like Carl

The power of destruction in your hands

OK, here's a recommendation that's a little out of left field, but hear me out. When faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle, Carl reads the properties of the environment to find unique and dangerous solutions that are just as likely to result in his own death as his goal. His class specifically revolves around explosions and destruction through alchemy and NoitaThe physics game is cut from the same cloth.

Through wands and modifiers, players unleash attacks designed to cause a reaction in the environment, whether it's fire that burns through wood or acid that eats everything. Every part NoitaThe world has physical properties that turn every pixel into potential ammunition. While this can be very empowering, it also means that one unfortunate move can trigger a reaction that leads to your death, a hazard that often changes with the player's abilities.

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness has an even worse world dungeon

Welcome to the Abyss. There is no escape

Made in the Abyss is probably the closest property Dungeon Crawler Carlwith both stories involving characters traveling through layered dungeons that are almost like isolated worlds (and get progressively rougher). They also undergo similar shifts tonally, p Made in the AbyssThe initial adventurous atmosphere gave way to terrifying horror.

While manga and anime are the best options, Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness is a decent budget adjustment. Aside from the mode that adapts the main story, “Deep in Abyss” puts the player in the role of an unknown Delver who takes on tasks that involve delving deeper into the Abyss. They are also accompanied by their companion Tiare, who is shrouded in mystery. This mode emphasizes survival and preparation, and the Abyss is incredibly hostile while imposing a curse that prevents people from returning to safety.