There exists a most marvelous species of tale—part adventure, part game, and entirely thrilling—known as LitRPG. When such stories are whispered into one’s ears by talented performers, why, the result is nothing short of enchanting. Gather round, dear listeners, and explore the very finest LitRPG audiobooks awaiting your eager ears in 2026.
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
If one were to name the most beloved LitRPG audiobook in all the land, this delightfully absurd tale would surely claim the crown. When alien beings transform Earth into a dungeon-crawling reality show, our hero Carl—accompanied by a most imperious cat named Princess Donut—must survive increasingly deadly floors whilst entertaining the universe.
Jeff Hays delivers a performance so extraordinary that listeners have declared themselves “broken for future audiobooks.” His Carl sounds rather like Malcolm Reynolds crossed with Puddy from Seinfeld, and every goblin, monster, and pompous cat receives an utterly distinctive voice. The dark humour dances perfectly with genuine heart, and the sound effects make one feel positively inside the game.
He Who Fights with Monsters by Shirtaloon
Imagine, if you will, being plucked from your thoroughly ordinary life managing an office supplies shop and deposited into a world of magic and monsters. This is what befalls poor Jason, who finds himself quite unprepared for interdimensional adventure—and desperately in need of trousers.
Heath Miller’s narration has earned devoted admirers who call him “a rock star” of the audiobook world. His performance brings out the delicious culture clash of a laid-back Australian navigating a very serious fantasy realm, whilst Jason’s suspiciously evil powers make for endlessly entertaining listening.
Cradle by Will Wight
Though some argue whether this magnificent series belongs strictly in the LitRPG camp or the neighbouring realm of progression fantasy, we shall not quibble when the listening is this splendid. Young Lindon is born Unsouled—forbidden to learn the sacred arts—yet when destiny comes knocking, he must forge his own path to power.
Travis Baldree’s performance has been called “book crack” by listeners who find themselves quite unable to stop. Multiple audiobooks in this series have topped the New York Times Best Seller list, and the final volume, Waybound, became Audible’s best seller the very week it released. Baldree voices Lindon’s journey from weakness to wonder with such skill that twelve books fly by in a twinkling.
The Primal Hunter by Zogarth
Jake was but a bored office worker when the universe decided humanity was ready to join the multiverse—whether humanity agreed or not. Thrust into a tutorial filled with dangers most terrible and opportunities most tantalising, Jake discovers that perhaps this apocalypse suits him rather nicely.
Travis Baldree—for the man is prodigiously talented—narrates Jake’s transformation from drudge to apex hunter across what has grown to fifteen books. With millions of devoted readers on Royal Road and listeners on Audible, this classic apocalypse LitRPG delivers everything one could desire: levels, classes, skills, dungeons, and endless progression.
The Land: Founding by Aleron Kong
One must acknowledge the father of American LitRPG, whose tale of Richter—tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, and sprites—won Audible’s Customer Favourite of the Year in 2018. Here is an adventure fit for both enthusiastic beginners and seasoned listeners alike.
Nick Podehl, described by admirers as “the best audio performer currently working,” brings this sprawling epic to life with tremendous skill. With over 100,000 five-star reviews and more than a million copies sold, The Land series has proven itself a cornerstone of the genre.
Defiance of the Fall by TheFirstDefier
When the multiverse comes knocking and humanity must level up or perish, Zac finds himself alone in the wilderness with naught but a hatchet. This apocalypse LitRPG masterfully blends Western game mechanics with Eastern cultivation, creating something quite unique and thoroughly gripping.
Pavi Proczko’s immersive narration makes one feel as though standing beside Zac, battling monsters and unravelling the mysteries of this vast new universe. With nearly twenty million views on Royal Road, this series has earned its devoted following through epic world-building and satisfying progression.
Chrysalis by RinoZ
Now here is a premise to make one laugh with delight: Anthony has been reborn as an ant. Not a mighty dragon, not a fearsome demon, but an humble ant in the dungeon world of Pangera. Yet from such tiny beginnings, great things may grow—and Anthony must build his bite-sized colony into a force to be reckoned with.
Jeff Hays—yes, the very same genius behind Dungeon Crawler Carl—narrates this beloved series with all the wit and warmth it deserves. With nearly thirty million views on Royal Road, Chrysalis proves that the most unlikely heroes make for the most entertaining listening.
Awaken Online: Catharsis by Travis Bagwell
What if one logged into a virtual reality game seeking escape, only to discover one’s path led not to heroism, but to villainy? Jason enters Awaken Online desperate for freedom, yet finds himself pushed down quite unexpected paths. In this game, there are no damsels to save—because he might just be the villain.
David Stifel narrates this wonderfully subversive tale across what has grown to fourteen novels. Imagine The Lord of the Rings told from Mordor’s perspective, and you begin to grasp the delicious darkness on offer.
Dungeon Born by Dakota Krout
Cal has answers to questions about dungeons for the simplest of reasons: he is one. A soul forced into a magical stone, Cal grows a dungeon around himself with the help of an energetic fairy companion. When threats emerge, Cal discovers that survival means consuming anyone foolish enough to enter his depths.
Vikas Adam narrates this beloved series with just the right touch of personality, bringing Cal and his companion Dani to vivid life. Dakota Krout’s creation was named in Audible’s top five fantasy picks of 2017, establishing dungeon core stories as a proper subgenre unto themselves.
Ten Realms by Michael Chatfield
Two soldiers—Erik the combat medic and Rugrat the recon sniper—find themselves transported to a world of cultivation and magic. Rather than helpless fish out of water, these veterans bring hard-won skills and unshakeable bonds to a realm that may not be quite ready for them.
Neil Hellegers narrates this military portal fantasy with the gravitas it deserves. Written by a Canadian Army veteran who knows whereof he speaks, Ten Realms offers earned progression and realistic strategy for listeners who appreciate their fantasy grounded in tactical reality.
Finding Your Perfect Listen
The wonderful thing about LitRPG audiobooks is their tremendous variety. Do you fancy dark humor and reality show mayhem? Dungeon Crawler Carl awaits. Prefer cultivation and martial arts progression? Cradle shall satisfy. Drawn to monster protagonists? Chrysalis has an ant with your name upon it.
Whatever adventure calls to you, these audiobooks offer hundreds upon hundreds of hours of splendid listening. The narrators perform the stories, and the tales themselves deliver the satisfaction of watching characters grow from weakness to tremendous power.
So grab your earbuds, select your champion, and prepare to level up your listening experience. Adventure awaits, dear friend—and it has never sounded so fine.
