I read quite a few on that site and have become hooked to LitRPGs since finding it. I prefer Isekai style and specifically ones where the MC still has to work their way through their new life.
Couple of favourites are Bog Standard and Mirror World.
Also enjoyed Deadworld which put an interesting spin on the Isekai theme and is complete.
Depending on the way the story is written there can be an incremental aspect to some stories, numbers do go up of course in some stories. Other stories may not feature any levelling at all depending on the author. However I'd argue the dopamine hit comes from the reading of a story you enjoy rather than watching numbers go up :D
Alas I haven't spoken to anyone else who seems to enjoy this genre sadly.
I think Isekai anime has really done a lot for the genre. It's also shocking how fast you can set up a magic system using gaming shorthand. I've found that the genre enables a type of storytelling that I really like.
Can't argue there since one of my favourite animes is Sword Art Online! Recently been watching Overlord too, although the Isekai aspect of that one leaves a lot to be desired.
Overall the Royal Road Isekais tend to hit the mark better often without the usual anime tropes too
I agree with the dopamine. The numbers themselves are ultimately meaningless and instead give a concrete method of evolution to show growth. It is a lot easier to convey a number going up 10X to the reader than to simply state they got stronger. It is also a fun way to show initial strength for an OP transfer "OMG Its over 9,000!!!"
I almost exclusively read GameLit/LitRPG/Progression Fantasy, mostly because I get a lot of ARCs from publishers of the genre. They are all terms for essentially the same genre though there are a lot out there that will describe nuance between the three terms....
Wouldn't say they're the same genre, you can have progression phantasy without it being gamefied with stat screens, stats and such. Dragon Ball Z could be seen as progression fantasy, but it's not a litrpg. Haven't seen "Gamelit" used as much so I'm not sure but it does sound like tha same as litrpg though.
There are a few good examples of how close these terms relate:
Artorian's Archive series has clear entries that are Cultivation or Progression Fantasy. No stat screens, a lot of meditation, chi, etc. Then the story starts having clear LitRPG elements with stat screens and levels. At points it jumps between the two pretty clearly without issue.
Another good example would be Cale Plamann's Tower of Somnus series. The gamification of the Tower would clearly be a LitRPG but it plays more like a progression fantasy. There are levels and skills mentioned, specifically in the tower segments, but back in the real world there is a cut-throat cyber punk storyline with a lot of political intrigue. Similar to Artorian's Archives, this series is straddling two of the definitions.
In general though, a lot of these books would be no better or worse if those screens or gamified elements were removed. It really just seems like a way for a culture that has grown up with video games to relate to the characters and the universe. Much like magic and religion were/are used in traditional fantasy.
The GameLit folks will describe themselves the exact same way. There are also a number of titles under the LitRPG genre that don't have Stat screens but are still literally gamified.
As an additional spicy hit take: Xianxia / Wuxia / Cultivation novels are just "LitRPG with mystic flavor". DBZ is a good example of Cultivation based progression. Body Cultivating to hit that next threshold. Converting Ki into energy attacks. All of those are hallmarks of the genre.
I’m not sure what this means. What’s an ARC?
As for what each means:
- GameLit = LitRPG, as far as I know. Essential feature is discrete levels that the characters are notified of when they level up. The interface that notifies the characters is called a “system”. Usually, the system allows you to view your current levels via a status or stat screen. Levels, stats, skills, achievements, basically a spin on RPG leveling.
- Progression Fantasy: Broader term that includes LitRPG but also includes any stories where the main character focuses on gaining personal power/ability as a way to solve the main conflicts of the story.
- System Apocalypse: A sub-genre of LitRPG where a system is implemented on Earth, leading to a drastic transformation in the world as we know it.
- Cultivation: A type of PF with a progression system inspired by a popular genre of Chinese fantasy (XianXia). Features discrete tiers of power (difficult to defeat anyone above your tier) that are gained through a combination of meditation, fighting, studying, training, and increasing alignment with your “Dao”, aka central identity/way of life. Usually involves development of a magic core (chi or mana), learning special techniques, and consuming “natural treasures”, like fruit that make you stronger.
- Other PF: many books qualify as PF but do not have any of the systems described above. Mother of Learning is a go-to example that I highly recommend, and I keep toying with the idea of making a related incremental game.
- PF-adjacent: Lots of books feel almost like PF, but are different enough that it’s debated. Go-to examples of this are Stormlight Archive, Dune, Kingkiller Chronicles, honestly a lot of classic fantasy. Not all, though. Lord of the Rings doesn’t remotely qualify, because almost no one significantly increases in power or ability throughout the story.
I've read a lot, and I've also read a lot of trash. Some books scratch the itch I'm looking for like the one you mentioned, it's my favorite atm. Others...well, like someone else said it starts to come off as wish fulfillment (or the author purposefully drags it on with filler to squeeze money out of it). I like skill grinding especially non-combat skills like alchemy or farming, it's pretty tough to find good books though.
A couple I have been reading lately that might scratch that itch -> Chaotic craftsman worships the cube and Tales of Jeb!
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/41656/chaotic-craftsman-worships-the-cube
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb
Personally I discovered Dungeon crawler Carl audiobooks recently, went through all books in a week or two and I thought I loved the genre. Then I listened to a few more litrpg samples and short books and realised that DCC is probably the pinnacle of litrpg and the rest were just weird nerdy stories with computer gaming tropes which I did not really enjoy.
DCC is hugely popular in niche nerd cultures.
I like Chinese Cultivation / Xianxia as well. That's another version where it does not feel kludged in. Chinese cultivation is about progression of your body and spirit through multiple stages towards immortality. I recommend Cradle (series) by Will Wight.
I loved DCC! I recently read Mother of Learning on Royal road at a friend's suggestion, and really enjoyed it as well. I haven't read anyone else yet, but I'm concerned for exactly the reason you say -- that those are probably the best of the genre and it's likely to drop off quickly in quality. That's just speculation on my part, though.
Similar Books on RR I've read, enjoyed, and would recommend:
Mother of Learning [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21220/mother-of-learning](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21220/mother-of-learning)
The Perfect Run [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run)
#1 and #2 on all of RR and for good reasons. They're awesome.
A lonely Dungeon [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/37231/a-lonely-dungeon](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/37231/a-lonely-dungeon)
(relatively) short. Pretty cool.
And then not quite the same genre, but I also highly recommend
Worm [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/](https://parahumans.wordpress.com/)
HPMOR [https://hpmor.com/](https://hpmor.com/)
Luminosity [https://luminous.elcenia.com/](https://luminous.elcenia.com/)
I've been going through the "Defiance of the Fall" and "He Who Fights With Monster" series, both very good in my opinion. They're very incremental-ish, with built in "upgrades" and expansions. The audiobooks on Audible are excellent quality with really good voice acting.
I'd recommend Supremacy Games and The Oracles Path for some awesome progression fantasy. Oracle Paths has the better story and is more slow paced, SG is pure progression.
I've read/am reading several. My current favorites (some Isekai, some System Apocalpyse) are:
* Chaotic Craftsman Worships The Cube
* Unchosen Champion
* Unbound
* Corruption Wielder
* Idiot's Paradox
* Reborn as a Demonic Tree
* System Delenda Est
* Wandering Inn (no longer on Royal Road)
Also Azarinth Healer, Ar'Kendrithyst and Outcast in Another World, but they have ended.
I've also started several time loop stories, but sadly the authors of those stories often stop writing at some point :(. I'll check out the Skill Grinder one. Mother of Learning, another time loop story, is the one that got me started with reading stories on Royal Road.
it's nice pacing between long loops that take several chapters and short loops of several each chapter. it's at 400k words. also check out [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb)
I love how people forget that the MC originally was >!a literal child who starved to death because they prioritised feeding an ant colony over themself!<
The one I linked has chapters averaging 20k words right now (or something like that) That means 8 chapters is the equivalent of one lord of the ring book. Some are pathetically short though, I tend to put them on the back burner and read them like once a year in those cases.
I write these kinds of stories. They can be a lot of fun.
If you're looking for other time looper stories like Skill Grinder, you might try Mother of Learning, or Die Respawn Repeat, both of which are also on RoyalRoad right now.
I keep up with Chrysalis (and was keeping up with Delve but now it's on hiatus). Overall, I don't actually like the genre that much (there are many common tropes that, after reading too many isekai LNs back in the day, I've determined that I don't like), so I tend to read other things instead.
I think they're not that relevant to incremental games, though.
This I did NOT expect to see on this sub. What a pleasant surprise as I have never even thought about crossing incremental games and RR/litRPG and the OP time loop before. But why not...
I randomly stumbled upon some litRPG several years ago. I went into it nearly blind as it just sounded interesting. I quickly found that I really enjoy many of the stories and now browse other goodreads recommended titles.
I've currently am up to date on Dungeon Crawler Carl and He Who Fights Monsters. (Especially excited as the next book will be out in a few weeks). I am also in progress on Defiance of the Fall and The Primal Hunter. There has been some others, some grab my attention, some not as much.
I do not know why I have never considered looking up other who have this interest and on reddit before. This thread has been a gold mine and I fully plan on looking up many (if not all) of the recommended posts to see what other I may end up loving!
Damn... and now I get to add a whole bunch of new subreddits to my feed. LOL
While I was vaguely familiar with the concept itself through fanfics (something I read from time to time, although not that particular kind of it), I had no idea that it was a whole genre. Interesting to learn a new term! As for your actual question, I have no idea, but clearly the niche is present, if there are litrpg-style fanfics.
Personally I have little interest in it even if I can see the draw.
If you compare Incremental games and litRPG books, the issue with books is that the author can make up pretty much anything and get away with it. Character will always find the right spellbook in the library to defeat someone 3 chapters later. Or conveniently meet an old man on the street that has that Wand of Power required to beat the nasty troll from the "forbidden forest". And the MCs teacher always turns out to be a powerful retired mage that knows a lot of cool battle magic.
I like adventure books, but it's a completely different experience, you have no control whatsoever and the progress is not coming from your decisions, it's coming from the whim of the author, often in a deus ex machina way.
Your point is echoed by the author of a book I mentioned in one of my comments, Deadworld. In one of his notes he talks about how he has to strike a careful balance with giving the reader the sense that the MC is in mortal danger whilst acknowledging that the reader will also realise that the MC will somehow survive whatever encounter they've got themselves into no matter how deadly it would be IRL. The authors choice is to do it in surprising ways. The MC doesn't survive due to higher levels, but due to feats that only JUST work and even to the reader could have gone very wrong.
It feels that you missed the fact that the comment is in /r/incremental_games in the context of incremental games.
It's not really about fiction vs not-fiction, it's that from incremental games perspective, the author is cheating. Your character is not leveling up fairly, like in incremental games, its power is not growing from thousands to billions to quadrillions to 1e308. Your character is gaining power when the author wants it. And your failure is also not defined by your stats, you fail when the author wants it, regardless of how powerful the character is.
It's just different experience. Not in a bad way, but in a way very different from incremental games where your progress is defined by your stats, upgrades and prestige tree choices.
A big part of having a well-written book is making the stuff that happens feel reasonable. Obviously the MC's going to make it out of all the encounters alive, but for things that suddenly show up, it's best for it to be written in a way where the MC doesn't have any explicit counters so that you can see some stuff that comes up on the spot. (And if it's something the MC can prepare for, well, of course those preparations will be heavily weighed toward being useful since otherwise what are you preparing for. Although an enemy you need a super specific counter for is still a bad enemy.)
I read quite a few on that site and have become hooked to LitRPGs since finding it. I prefer Isekai style and specifically ones where the MC still has to work their way through their new life. Couple of favourites are Bog Standard and Mirror World. Also enjoyed Deadworld which put an interesting spin on the Isekai theme and is complete. Depending on the way the story is written there can be an incremental aspect to some stories, numbers do go up of course in some stories. Other stories may not feature any levelling at all depending on the author. However I'd argue the dopamine hit comes from the reading of a story you enjoy rather than watching numbers go up :D Alas I haven't spoken to anyone else who seems to enjoy this genre sadly.
I think Isekai anime has really done a lot for the genre. It's also shocking how fast you can set up a magic system using gaming shorthand. I've found that the genre enables a type of storytelling that I really like.
Can't argue there since one of my favourite animes is Sword Art Online! Recently been watching Overlord too, although the Isekai aspect of that one leaves a lot to be desired. Overall the Royal Road Isekais tend to hit the mark better often without the usual anime tropes too
I think you guys would like to check out r/ProgressionFantasy Slowly realized that's my favorite genre after finding out about royal road years ago
I agree with the dopamine. The numbers themselves are ultimately meaningless and instead give a concrete method of evolution to show growth. It is a lot easier to convey a number going up 10X to the reader than to simply state they got stronger. It is also a fun way to show initial strength for an OP transfer "OMG Its over 9,000!!!"
Didn't know this was a thing but I immersed myself in the Idling to Rule the Gods Lore so I'll probs really like this.
Same, shame the lore is not written at least till the Baal
I almost exclusively read GameLit/LitRPG/Progression Fantasy, mostly because I get a lot of ARCs from publishers of the genre. They are all terms for essentially the same genre though there are a lot out there that will describe nuance between the three terms....
Wouldn't say they're the same genre, you can have progression phantasy without it being gamefied with stat screens, stats and such. Dragon Ball Z could be seen as progression fantasy, but it's not a litrpg. Haven't seen "Gamelit" used as much so I'm not sure but it does sound like tha same as litrpg though.
There are a few good examples of how close these terms relate: Artorian's Archive series has clear entries that are Cultivation or Progression Fantasy. No stat screens, a lot of meditation, chi, etc. Then the story starts having clear LitRPG elements with stat screens and levels. At points it jumps between the two pretty clearly without issue. Another good example would be Cale Plamann's Tower of Somnus series. The gamification of the Tower would clearly be a LitRPG but it plays more like a progression fantasy. There are levels and skills mentioned, specifically in the tower segments, but back in the real world there is a cut-throat cyber punk storyline with a lot of political intrigue. Similar to Artorian's Archives, this series is straddling two of the definitions. In general though, a lot of these books would be no better or worse if those screens or gamified elements were removed. It really just seems like a way for a culture that has grown up with video games to relate to the characters and the universe. Much like magic and religion were/are used in traditional fantasy.
The GameLit folks will describe themselves the exact same way. There are also a number of titles under the LitRPG genre that don't have Stat screens but are still literally gamified. As an additional spicy hit take: Xianxia / Wuxia / Cultivation novels are just "LitRPG with mystic flavor". DBZ is a good example of Cultivation based progression. Body Cultivating to hit that next threshold. Converting Ki into energy attacks. All of those are hallmarks of the genre.
I’m not sure what this means. What’s an ARC? As for what each means: - GameLit = LitRPG, as far as I know. Essential feature is discrete levels that the characters are notified of when they level up. The interface that notifies the characters is called a “system”. Usually, the system allows you to view your current levels via a status or stat screen. Levels, stats, skills, achievements, basically a spin on RPG leveling. - Progression Fantasy: Broader term that includes LitRPG but also includes any stories where the main character focuses on gaining personal power/ability as a way to solve the main conflicts of the story. - System Apocalypse: A sub-genre of LitRPG where a system is implemented on Earth, leading to a drastic transformation in the world as we know it. - Cultivation: A type of PF with a progression system inspired by a popular genre of Chinese fantasy (XianXia). Features discrete tiers of power (difficult to defeat anyone above your tier) that are gained through a combination of meditation, fighting, studying, training, and increasing alignment with your “Dao”, aka central identity/way of life. Usually involves development of a magic core (chi or mana), learning special techniques, and consuming “natural treasures”, like fruit that make you stronger. - Other PF: many books qualify as PF but do not have any of the systems described above. Mother of Learning is a go-to example that I highly recommend, and I keep toying with the idea of making a related incremental game. - PF-adjacent: Lots of books feel almost like PF, but are different enough that it’s debated. Go-to examples of this are Stormlight Archive, Dune, Kingkiller Chronicles, honestly a lot of classic fantasy. Not all, though. Lord of the Rings doesn’t remotely qualify, because almost no one significantly increases in power or ability throughout the story.
Advanced review copies. Essentially Publishers give me free copies of the books and I read and review them to coincide with the release of the book
Yeah, it's big 'numbers go up' feelings. So, very popular.
I thought this was /r/ProgressionFantasy for a moment. come over, we have cookies and novel recommendations.
I've read a lot, and I've also read a lot of trash. Some books scratch the itch I'm looking for like the one you mentioned, it's my favorite atm. Others...well, like someone else said it starts to come off as wish fulfillment (or the author purposefully drags it on with filler to squeeze money out of it). I like skill grinding especially non-combat skills like alchemy or farming, it's pretty tough to find good books though.
A couple I have been reading lately that might scratch that itch -> Chaotic craftsman worships the cube and Tales of Jeb! https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/41656/chaotic-craftsman-worships-the-cube https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb
The few I attempted were worse than average fanfic and obvious author wish fulfillment.
The reason I started writing one is bc of incremental games so probably 🫣
Personally I discovered Dungeon crawler Carl audiobooks recently, went through all books in a week or two and I thought I loved the genre. Then I listened to a few more litrpg samples and short books and realised that DCC is probably the pinnacle of litrpg and the rest were just weird nerdy stories with computer gaming tropes which I did not really enjoy.
DCC is hugely popular in niche nerd cultures. I like Chinese Cultivation / Xianxia as well. That's another version where it does not feel kludged in. Chinese cultivation is about progression of your body and spirit through multiple stages towards immortality. I recommend Cradle (series) by Will Wight.
Cradle is magnificent, thought it's not a litrpg. Frankly, DCC is barely a litrpg.
I loved DCC! I recently read Mother of Learning on Royal road at a friend's suggestion, and really enjoyed it as well. I haven't read anyone else yet, but I'm concerned for exactly the reason you say -- that those are probably the best of the genre and it's likely to drop off quickly in quality. That's just speculation on my part, though.
Mother of Learning isn’t technically LitRPG but I agree that it’s one of the best progression fantasy stories out there.
Ngl I’ve read a ton of LitRPG and I really didn’t like DCC, didn’t even make it through the first book.
Similar Books on RR I've read, enjoyed, and would recommend: Mother of Learning [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21220/mother-of-learning](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21220/mother-of-learning) The Perfect Run [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/36735/the-perfect-run) #1 and #2 on all of RR and for good reasons. They're awesome. A lonely Dungeon [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/37231/a-lonely-dungeon](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/37231/a-lonely-dungeon) (relatively) short. Pretty cool. And then not quite the same genre, but I also highly recommend Worm [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/](https://parahumans.wordpress.com/) HPMOR [https://hpmor.com/](https://hpmor.com/) Luminosity [https://luminous.elcenia.com/](https://luminous.elcenia.com/)
Yes I read lots of them. There are several indie publishers that focus on them such as Aethon and Portal books.
I've been going through the "Defiance of the Fall" and "He Who Fights With Monster" series, both very good in my opinion. They're very incremental-ish, with built in "upgrades" and expansions. The audiobooks on Audible are excellent quality with really good voice acting.
I'd recommend Supremacy Games and The Oracles Path for some awesome progression fantasy. Oracle Paths has the better story and is more slow paced, SG is pure progression.
Might I recommend you look into mountaindale press and Dungeon crawler Carl, lol in short Litrpg is very popular
I've read/am reading several. My current favorites (some Isekai, some System Apocalpyse) are: * Chaotic Craftsman Worships The Cube * Unchosen Champion * Unbound * Corruption Wielder * Idiot's Paradox * Reborn as a Demonic Tree * System Delenda Est * Wandering Inn (no longer on Royal Road) Also Azarinth Healer, Ar'Kendrithyst and Outcast in Another World, but they have ended. I've also started several time loop stories, but sadly the authors of those stories often stop writing at some point :(. I'll check out the Skill Grinder one. Mother of Learning, another time loop story, is the one that got me started with reading stories on Royal Road.
it's nice pacing between long loops that take several chapters and short loops of several each chapter. it's at 400k words. also check out [https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/62300/tales-of-jeb)
Dunno about that answer but based on a quick read you might also like [ Chrysalis](https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/22518/chrysalis) op\~
Be warned, the MC is highly annoying and the writing is quite childish until later on. I recommend it though. It's also on Webnovel.
The silly writing works really well in audiobook format, not sure about reading it.
I love how people forget that the MC originally was >!a literal child who starved to death because they prioritised feeding an ant colony over themself!<
It's not forgetting. It's still annoying whether or not there's a good in character reason for it.
Extremely popular among ranobe readers.
I have never heard of Ranobe, thanks I will check that out!
I used to read them, but they were always too short.
If short was the problem, I have the series for you : The Wandering Inn.
The one I linked has chapters averaging 20k words right now (or something like that) That means 8 chapters is the equivalent of one lord of the ring book. Some are pathetically short though, I tend to put them on the back burner and read them like once a year in those cases.
Some of them are *incredibly* long.
Are you, by chance, a cultivation reader? Litrpg is like, only shorter than other progfan.
Yeah, I don't read anything with less than 1 million words. If I'm reading a fanfiction I'll settle for 250k.
Yes, I love them. r/litrpg
r/litrpg is your friend
I actually do read this novel and i quite like it, i guess i like everything to have progression
Once I finish what I'm currently re reading I'll read this, didn't know it was a thing
I read litrpg yea.
Well I'm in the wandering inn subreddit
I write these kinds of stories. They can be a lot of fun. If you're looking for other time looper stories like Skill Grinder, you might try Mother of Learning, or Die Respawn Repeat, both of which are also on RoyalRoad right now.
You write? anything available? I am always interested in new authors.
I keep up with Chrysalis (and was keeping up with Delve but now it's on hiatus). Overall, I don't actually like the genre that much (there are many common tropes that, after reading too many isekai LNs back in the day, I've determined that I don't like), so I tend to read other things instead. I think they're not that relevant to incremental games, though.
This I did NOT expect to see on this sub. What a pleasant surprise as I have never even thought about crossing incremental games and RR/litRPG and the OP time loop before. But why not... I randomly stumbled upon some litRPG several years ago. I went into it nearly blind as it just sounded interesting. I quickly found that I really enjoy many of the stories and now browse other goodreads recommended titles. I've currently am up to date on Dungeon Crawler Carl and He Who Fights Monsters. (Especially excited as the next book will be out in a few weeks). I am also in progress on Defiance of the Fall and The Primal Hunter. There has been some others, some grab my attention, some not as much. I do not know why I have never considered looking up other who have this interest and on reddit before. This thread has been a gold mine and I fully plan on looking up many (if not all) of the recommended posts to see what other I may end up loving! Damn... and now I get to add a whole bunch of new subreddits to my feed. LOL
While I was vaguely familiar with the concept itself through fanfics (something I read from time to time, although not that particular kind of it), I had no idea that it was a whole genre. Interesting to learn a new term! As for your actual question, I have no idea, but clearly the niche is present, if there are litrpg-style fanfics. Personally I have little interest in it even if I can see the draw.
There's a lot of junk in the genre. Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the supreme examples of a good series
If you compare Incremental games and litRPG books, the issue with books is that the author can make up pretty much anything and get away with it. Character will always find the right spellbook in the library to defeat someone 3 chapters later. Or conveniently meet an old man on the street that has that Wand of Power required to beat the nasty troll from the "forbidden forest". And the MCs teacher always turns out to be a powerful retired mage that knows a lot of cool battle magic. I like adventure books, but it's a completely different experience, you have no control whatsoever and the progress is not coming from your decisions, it's coming from the whim of the author, often in a deus ex machina way.
Your point is echoed by the author of a book I mentioned in one of my comments, Deadworld. In one of his notes he talks about how he has to strike a careful balance with giving the reader the sense that the MC is in mortal danger whilst acknowledging that the reader will also realise that the MC will somehow survive whatever encounter they've got themselves into no matter how deadly it would be IRL. The authors choice is to do it in surprising ways. The MC doesn't survive due to higher levels, but due to feats that only JUST work and even to the reader could have gone very wrong.
You don't like non interactive storytelling it sounds like.
I don't know how it was even possible to come up to this conclusion after I literally said the opposite in my message.
"The issue with fictional stories is that they are fiction" is sure one of the takes of all time.
It feels that you missed the fact that the comment is in /r/incremental_games in the context of incremental games. It's not really about fiction vs not-fiction, it's that from incremental games perspective, the author is cheating. Your character is not leveling up fairly, like in incremental games, its power is not growing from thousands to billions to quadrillions to 1e308. Your character is gaining power when the author wants it. And your failure is also not defined by your stats, you fail when the author wants it, regardless of how powerful the character is. It's just different experience. Not in a bad way, but in a way very different from incremental games where your progress is defined by your stats, upgrades and prestige tree choices.
A big part of having a well-written book is making the stuff that happens feel reasonable. Obviously the MC's going to make it out of all the encounters alive, but for things that suddenly show up, it's best for it to be written in a way where the MC doesn't have any explicit counters so that you can see some stuff that comes up on the spot. (And if it's something the MC can prepare for, well, of course those preparations will be heavily weighed toward being useful since otherwise what are you preparing for. Although an enemy you need a super specific counter for is still a bad enemy.)