The Best Games Like Dungeon Crawler Carl

To say there is a lot happening when Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl begins would be a massive understatement. Carl, a Coast Guard veteran, finds himself caught outside in the dead of winter wearing nothing but his underwear when every man-made structure on Earth suddenly collapses. He and the only survivor nearby — a talking cat named Princess Donut — are forced to descend into their rebuilt planet, which has been transformed into an 18-level dungeon serving as entertainment for a corporate alien race’s reality show called Dungeon Crawler World. This wildly popular LitRPG series has captivated readers with its unique blend of dark humor, survival horror, and video game mechanics, leaving many fans hungry for gaming experiences that capture the same chaotic energy.

The series, which began in 2020, has grown into one of the most beloved entries in the LitRPG genre, spawning multiple audiobook adaptations narrated by Jeff Hays that have become phenomenally successful on platforms like Audible. The appeal lies in its satirical take on reality television, corporate greed, and the gamification of survival, all wrapped in a package that feels distinctly like a roguelike dungeon crawler video game. For readers who have devoured all available books and are desperately waiting for the next installment, turning to actual video games can help scratch that particular itch.

Roguelike Dungeon Crawlers That Capture the Chaos

When searching for games that mirror the Dungeon Crawler Carl experience, roguelikes and roguelites immediately come to mind. Games like Hades from Supergiant Games offer that same sense of progression through deadly floors while maintaining a darkly comedic tone. The Greek mythology setting provides memorable characters and witty dialogue that fans of Carl and Princess Donut’s banter will appreciate. Similarly, Dead Cells delivers punishing but fair combat through procedurally generated levels, capturing the unpredictable nature of the dungeon that Carl faces.

For something closer to the classic dungeon crawling experience, Darkest Dungeon presents a grim journey through monster-infested corridors where death is always lurking around the corner. The game’s stress mechanics and permanent character death create tension reminiscent of Carl’s desperate struggles for survival. Meanwhile, titles like Enter the Gungeon and The Binding of Isaac offer more action-oriented takes on the formula, complete with absurd power-ups and increasingly bizarre enemy designs that would feel right at home in Dinniman’s twisted imagination.

Survival Games With Dark Humor and High Stakes

Beyond traditional roguelikes, survival games with strong narrative elements can also satisfy Dungeon Crawler Carl fans. Don’t Starve and its multiplayer sequel Don’t Starve Together combine survival mechanics with a Tim Burton-esque aesthetic and pitch-black humor. The constant threat of death from starvation, monsters, or simply the encroaching darkness mirrors the life-or-death stakes Carl faces on every floor. Subnautica, while sci-fi rather than fantasy, captures that same sense of being trapped in an alien environment where corporate interests have placed you in danger for their own gain.

Games in the immersive sim genre, like Prey or the Dishonored series, offer creative problem-solving in dangerous environments that echo Carl’s resourceful approach to survival. These games reward players who think outside the box and use their environment to overcome seemingly impossible odds — exactly the kind of gameplay that would make Princess Donut proud. The key to finding the perfect Dungeon Crawler Carl gaming experience lies in seeking out titles that combine challenging gameplay, dark humor, memorable companions, and a healthy dose of absurdity in their world-building.