If you've torn through Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl and are desperate for another LitRPG fix, there's a new contender that deserves a spot on your shelf. James Michael Ploof's Last Save Dave takes the genre's love for underdog heroes and cranks up the comedy with a generous dose of Super Mario nostalgia. It's a series that's just getting started, but it's already making waves among readers who crave a blend of laughs, stakes, and inventive game mechanics.
For the uninitiated, Dungeon Crawler Carl has become a bona fide phenomenon, evolving from an indie sci-fi saga into a record-breaking hit. It's now expanding into tabletop gaming and a live-action TV series on Peacock, shining a spotlight on the quirky, high-concept world of LitRPG. As more fans discover Carl's chaotic dungeon crawl, they're naturally hunting for similar stories. While James A. Hunter's Discount Dan's Backroom Bargains often tops that list, Last Save Dave is quickly joining the conversation thanks to its unique hook: a plumber hero who can rewind time.
What is Last Save Dave?
At its core, Last Save Dave follows Dave, a middle-aged, blue-collar plumber from New York City. But Dave isn't just any wrench-wielder—he's a former Olympic boxer and the 1990 Nintendo World Champion. His ordinary life is upended when a child god named Tyme appears and drafts him as her champion in a cosmic competition at the Tree of One Thousand Worlds. Eleven other gods have their own champions, and the goal is simple: collect the most Talismans from the myriad worlds on the tree. The twist? Only one champion can win, and the losers don't just die—their entire home worlds are obliterated. If Dave fails, Earth is toast.
Fortunately, Dave has a unique edge. As Tyme's chosen, he wields the power to "return to last save" whenever he dies or chooses, as long as he has a Talisman to spare. This means he can respawn, learn from his mistakes, and try again—while his competitors get only one life. It's a mechanic that feels ripped straight from a Super Mario 3D platformer, and it gives Last Save Dave a distinctly video-gamey flavor that sets it apart from other LitRPGs.
The series is packed with a thousand wildly different worlds, each with its own inhabitants and collectibles. Dave can hop between them at will, always returning to the Tree to access new portals. And when he dies, he simply reloads and tries a different approach. It's a structure that mirrors the trial-and-error joy of classic platformers, making it accessible even to readers who've never rolled a d20.
But Last Save Dave isn't just about mechanics—it's genuinely funny. Ploof has a knack for comedy that rivals the best in the genre, and beneath the laughs lies surprising depth. Like Dungeon Crawler Carl, it sneaks in commentary on everything from free will to the nature of heroism, all while keeping the tone light and adventurous. For fans of meta twists and bigger season 2 style storytelling, this series offers a similar blend of humor and heart.
How many books are there?
The first Last Save Dave book recently hit paperback, Kindle, and Audible, with the second already available in paperback and Kindle (Audible is coming). Ploof has finished Last Save Dave 3, slated for release on December 9th. With three books out within six months, it's safe to expect a fourth sometime next year. So if you're looking for your next LitRPG obsession, now's the perfect time to dive in.
Whether you're a seasoned LitRPG reader or a curious newbie drawn in by the Super Mario vibes, Last Save Dave promises a hilarious, high-stakes adventure that scratches the same itch as Dungeon Crawler Carl. And with the genre exploding into TV and tabletop, there's never been a better moment to explore its hidden gems.
