Discovering LitRPG and Progression Fantasy

To stumble onto a whole new sub-genre is pretty hard in the age of search engines and social media algorithms that track your likes and make sure that you stay in “your lane,” i.e., if you liked, “hearted,” or in any way positively affirmed a piece of content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, the algorithms will feed more and more of the same content into your screens. You are basically stuck in an echo chamber.

I was too stuck in such an echo chamber, and my niche was fantasy fiction. The fantasy fiction niche is dominated, as per me, by many good fictional series that now don’t publish sequels semi-regularly. Marvel and DC may, in fact, even reboot their movie franchises twice by the time that George R. R. Martin publishes his next book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. The publishing schedules of certain famous authors have become almost mythical in their delays, and while fans wait, the craving for something with the same sense of magic and world-building continues to grow.

Voracious reader that I am, my consumption of content extended to other series, but often the series I liked followed a hidden thread of theme: Growth and Ascension. The Malazan series has these themes of growth and ascension interlaid between the plotlines: an assassinated king who became a god upon his death, powerful entities, and an empire of humans just expanding from an island called Malaz. These aren’t just plot devices—they’re arcs of evolution, where characters begin as fragile mortals but rise to become near-immortal powers, gods, or legendary beings.

Then came a popular webtoon series, Solo Leveling, which had a protagonist who exemplified growth and arcane ascension. This was not simply a tale of battles and quests—it was a step-by-step climb from weakness to unmatched dominance, a perfect embodiment of the satisfaction that comes from watching a character evolve in tangible stages. This series clarified what exactly I had been pursuing when I read books of fantasy and magic. I wasn’t just looking for sword fights or intricate politics—I was chasing the thrill of progression, the joy of watching a character go from an insignificant figure to a force that could reshape worlds.

Once I realized this pattern, I began noticing it in other works I had enjoyed in the past: novels, web serials, manga, and even certain video games. Games like Skyrim or Path of Exile, for instance, scratch a similar itch—starting from nothing, acquiring skills and power, unlocking hidden abilities, and eventually surpassing all limits. The sensation was addictive, and I wanted more of it in written form.

Good old Reddit. It is the single best community site for people seeking content about their interests, and by making a single post on r/Fantasy asking for recommendations, the kind redditors made it clear to me that the sub-genre I was looking for was Progression Fantasy or LitRPG. That was my lightbulb moment. Suddenly, there was a name for the thing I had been unconsciously hunting for across multiple mediums.

Progression Fantasy focuses heavily on measurable growth—whether it’s a character gaining levels, unlocking magical tiers, or mastering entirely new disciplines. The rules of the world tend to be transparent, giving the reader a sense of how and why the protagonist is advancing. LitRPG overlaps heavily, but specifically borrows from video game mechanics, making the growth even more explicit with stats, skill trees, and loot systems. Both sub-genres offer a unique promise: that the journey from weakness to greatness will be shown in full detail, rewarding the reader’s patience with a satisfying payoff.

When I started diving deeper into these genres, I discovered authors and series that fit my preferences almost too perfectly. Cradle by Will Wight, The Primal Hunter by Zogarth, and Iron Prince by Bryce O’Connor and Luke Chmilenko all scratched that very specific itch. They had a rhythm of steady progression, an ever-present sense of challenge, and a universe that felt bigger and more dangerous the further you went.

Even lesser-known web serials and indie Kindle books offered this consistent dopamine hit of progression. Many of these weren’t mainstream bestsellers, but they delivered exactly what I was looking for, chapter after chapter. The growth wasn’t just about numbers—it was about agency, independence, and a gradual shift in how the protagonist interacted with their world.

Looking back, I realize that without the chance conversation on Reddit, I might have kept wandering aimlessly through my reading lists, frustrated that nothing seemed to hit the exact notes I wanted. Now, I have an entire bookshelf—both digital and physical—stacked with titles that belong to this sub-genre. And the best part? Because Progression Fantasy and LitRPG are relatively modern niches, there’s a constant stream of new content from passionate writers who publish frequently.

It’s strange, in a way, how algorithms can keep us trapped but also how a single nudge from a human community can break us free. I still read outside my niche from time to time, but when I want that deep satisfaction of watching a character go from powerless to unstoppable, I know exactly where to look. And every time I find a new series that delivers on that promise, it feels like leveling up myself.