Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Minor hiccups aside, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is amazing. There’s so much to it, and it is easy to prioritize the elements you like best. There’s an endless wealth of content and options, and you could probably spend months enjoying every element. The original Fantasy Life is one of the best 3DS games, and now Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is one of the best titles we’ll see on the Switch and PC. Since Level-5 also confirmed there will be DLC, I also wonder if we’ll see it get even better.

In all Fantasy Life i is an incredibly solid game that has a ton of charm to it. The gameplay is simple but addicting, and the quality of life features that were added compared to the 2014 game make The Girl Who Steals Time a very enjoyable experience. The story beats can feel a little repetitive at times, as can the mini-games all bearing out similarly to each other, and real time based events can be a bit of a pain. But all of that aside, Fantasy Life i is a game that this reviewer would gladly recommend to anyone that prefers a more cozy vibe to their fantasy genre.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a charming and content-abundant life simulation RPG that skillfully blends crafting, combat, and exploration. While its multiplayer mode feels limited and its combat merely adequate, the title’s tender storytelling and a stirring soundtrack make it a thoroughly rewarding solo adventure.

A mash-up of everything that makes video games great, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is probably better than real life.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is amazing and well worth the wait, and Level-5 bringing it to multiple platforms to experience it in all its whimsy and wonder was an incredibly smart and measured decision. I’d struggle to find anyone who wouldn’t gel with how effortlessly endearing it is, with its vibrant world and charm, dopamine-providing levelling system, a bounty of activities and things to see and do. The side-games that feel like their own games, whether that’s exploring a Breath of the Wild-like open world or creating a cute and cozy village of locals à la Animal Crossing, are substantial and meaty, adding to the fun and delight that awaits around every corner. Even the most monotonous task of chopping down a tree is suddenly super exciting. The Fantasy Life series, and The Girl Who Steals Time, are just that magical and effective in doing so. This is a level up for Level-5. Job complete.

But pushing all naysayers aside, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has arrived as a brilliant, well-rounded RPG with clever mechanics, and an ambitious story driving it to greatness. It captures everything that made Fantasy Life memorable, and pushes it even further...More than ten years on from the original Fantasy Life, Level-5 has definitively proven there’s plenty more life and vigour in this long-running franchise.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time improves on the series in every conceivable way, delivering one of the most feature-rich games of the year.

Even though the narrative is fairly unmemorable and the progression is awkward, there’s a wholehearted sense of endearment permeating from its NPCs and comedic interactions. When also considering the fact that there’s upcoming DLC, hopefully FANTASY LIFE i is supported with new content for the foreseeable future. It’s relieving to witness an outright success for modern Level 5; here’s hoping it’s a sign of what’s to come for the developer.

Fantasy Life i is far more than just a healing RPG—the game is built on three solid pillars: town-building, combat, and adventure, each with surprising depth and polish. As long as you can embrace its childlike visuals and whimsical interactions, it offers a rewarding experience for players of all ages, allowing everyone to enjoy the game at their own pace.

Fantasy Life I successfully expands the laid-back, colorful formula of the original, bringing it to modern platforms with a vast world, flexible class system, and tons of side content. While the story clearly targets a younger audience, the overall experience is rich and rewarding—especially in multiplayer. Combat remains simple but effective, and the excellent localization adds charm. A few camera issues pop up during fights, but nothing game-breaking. Perfect for players looking for a cozy blend of RPG and life sim with a whimsical, fairy-tale vibe.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a delightful slow-life RPG that is best when you embrace its structure and varied Lives system. It’s less about telling a gripping story and more about letting players take part in the cosy life sim. With dozens of activities, systems that feed into each other, fun crafting and gathering loops, and a sprawling post-game full of secrets and scaling challenges, it offers tremendous value. While the combat and multiplayer are more surface-level, and some design quirks (like time-limited co-op) may leave certain players wanting more, its cheerful tone, flexibility, and performance make it a rewarding escape into a cosy, fantastical world. If you’re after a relaxing but deep time sink, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time more than earns your attention and is a strong recommendation for fans of relaxing RPGs or life sims, as it may just steal your free time.

Level-5 has come back swinging with Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, improving on the original in every way and offering a smorgasbord of gameplay ideas without ever feeling like it’s trying too much at once. It balances this level of depth with a laid-back, cosy approach that makes it all too easy to enjoy for hours on end.

Despite its shortcomings in multiplayer, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a jam-packed experience that I still don't want to put down. It so easily lulls you into a loop of adventure and exploration and gathering, and just when you start to tire out from your adventure, you're reminded of three other things you could also be doing for a change of pace. I don't know if I'll stop playing it any time soon.

A lovingly presented, content-rich mix of role-playing and life simulation, held together by an entertaining, if not particularly twist-filled, story and 14 diverse professions. However, Level-5 wastes a lot of potential with its unfortunately half-baked multiplayer mode.

The sheer scope and mechanics turn this sequel into one of the most enjoyable cozy games of the year. Between battles, resource gathering, and a simple yet rewarding story, our heroes’ journey becomes an addictive experience that’s hard to put down. With countless possibilities and a future DLC set to extend our stay, Level-5’s latest entry is a strong recommendation for those with the time to truly enjoy it.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is oozing with charm and bursting with activities. While it all feels a little shallow, the constant feeling of progress is great and there’s a ton to customize. The story isn’t great, but it doesn’t need to be when there’s always something to do around the next corner.