"cats"

2020 · Matt Dinniman · 480 pages · LitRPG

Dungeon Crawler Carl is the book that dragged LitRPG into the mainstream and sold millions of copies doing it. The relationship between Carl and Donut is funny, surprisingly moving, and strong enough to carry the story through its rougher patches. Some combat sequences blur together, the humor occasionally misfires, and certain character depictions haven't aged well even in a young book. Those are real flaws, but they don't change the core truth: this is one of the most entertaining genre debuts in recent memory, and the reason an entire wave of readers discovered LitRPG exists.

2019 · 1-4 Players · ~60-90 min · Competitive

The Isle of Cats wraps a satisfying polyomino puzzle inside a card drafting framework, all dressed up in some of the most charming art in modern board gaming. The family mode is a standout for mixed groups, the solo mode holds its own, and the core tile-fitting challenge scratches an itch that few games in the genre match. A tendency toward analysis paralysis and some fiddliness in the full rules keep it from greatness, but for anyone who wants a puzzly, cat-filled evening that works across skill levels, this one delivers.

2020 · 1-4 Players · ~30-45 min · Competitive / Tile-Laying / Puzzle

Calico is a beautifully produced puzzle game that hides real teeth behind its cozy exterior. The simple turn structure belies a decision space deep enough to challenge even experienced gamers, and the solo mode gives it staying power well beyond typical lightweight fare. Limited player interaction and the potential for analysis paralysis keep it from being a perfect fit for every group. But for anyone who finds satisfaction in optimizing a tricky spatial puzzle, preferably with cats involved, this one delivers.

2021 · Dean Henegar · 372 pages · Fantasy

Cat Core takes the dungeon core formula and filters it through an elderly cat-obsessed Southern woman's perspective, delivering a surprisingly charming and funny take on the genre that works better than its premise has any right to.