Review - Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time - Is it worth playing?

Fantasy Life is an RPG with life simulation elements developed by Level-5.

First launched on the Nintendo 3DS, Fantasy Life debuted in Japan in 2012 and reached a global audience in 2014. With a story and production by Akihiro Hino and a soundtrack crafted by Nobuo Uematsu, the game brings its own personality.

Now, with the sequel “Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time” arriving in 2025, the adventure beckons once more!

One of the best things about the new Fantasy Life i is its irresistibly cute, fairytale art style. I jumped in out of curiosity, and it didn’t take long for me to get absolutely absorbed. This game has a charm that sneaks up on you!

Fans of the original are extra excited about improved accessibility with the “Life” system (the wide variety of professions and lifestyles), plus some nice visual upgrades. The overall vibe appears to be joyful: it’s rare for a sequel to feel like a warm hug from an old friend, so this is one you’ll want to check out!

Release Date: May 21, 2025

Developer: Level-5

Genre: Adventure, RPG

Platforms: PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Create your character, try out different professions (called "Lives"), and discover all the ways you can shape your story in this whimsical fantasy world! There are 14 different “Lives” to choose from, and you can swap between them at any time.

You’ll land on a mysterious island alongside a dragon and an adventurous crew. Your journey jumps between the past and present as you work to unravel the secrets of the island.

Your mission? Restore the island by gathering materials, building homes, transforming the scenery, and letting your creativity run wild as you decorate everything to your liking.

Getting Started in the Game

The first thing you’ll do is create your adorable character exactly how you want.

Right after, you’re greeted by a lively cutscene with plenty of dialogue that introduces your ship’s crew and sets up your big adventure. Admittedly, there’s a lot of chatter at the start, which might slow down the action for impatient players.

But once the introductions wrap up, and you’re dropped into the world, suddenly things start to click. The island feels alive and open, just waiting for you to discover, build, and start your new “Life” (literally!).

What Are “Lives” in Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time?

“Lives” are basically your job or calling, like picking your story class. These are grouped into three categories: Combat, Gathering and Crafting.

Maybe you start as a "Hunter," slaying monsters and advancing early quests, but you’ll soon see just how vital the other “Lives” are for progressing, helping NPCs, and diving into bonus missions.

Gathering resources and crafting gear become essential pretty quick, and focusing on different “Lives” really lets your game easier.

As you level up a “Life,” you’ll collect points to invest in a branching skill tree. Be smart, because points are limited, so planning your build matters!

Pro tip: Don’t stress. If you want to reset your skill tree later, it’ll only cost 10,000 "Doshs" (the in-game currency).

Progression System and the “Excellent”

Growing in your chosen “Lives” is truly satisfying. Whether you’re gathering resources, training up skills, or fighting monsters, doing tasks well means you reach “Excellent” status, which grants you more loot, XP, and (for crafters) even better items, weapons, and costumes.

If you keep plugging away at the main story alongside your “Life” skills, you’ll unlock all sorts of valuable resources to keep things moving. Balance your "professional growth" with the plot; it pays off.

Your Own Island and Decoration System

One of the real treats in Fantasy Life i is creating and decorating your own island. It takes a little bit to unlock the full feature (especially if you’re busy farming or exploring), but trust me, it worths every second!

You can craft furniture, customize your space, and truly add your own flair (especially after you progress with the Carpenter "Life").

Over time, the island fills up: new characters move in, build houses, and settle into your daily routine. You can plant crops, put up buildings, and explore every nook and cranny as you watch your community grow.

About the Online System

The online mode comes with some bumps. During multiplayer, many players have seen lag and a few bugs; plus, you’re blocked from advancing the main story or quests, so it’s really just good for gathering stuff, which you could also do alone.

A recent update introduced group missions, which is neat, but there’s room for growth. It’d be awesome to see more impactful online features, like permanent world changes and full story progress for groups.

Removing mission timers and upping the combat challenge would help, too. Right now, enemies and bosses are a bit too easy and battles don’t feel very thrilling.

Local co-op also needs some love, because the second player only controls a bird, which doesn’t add much.

All in all, the player base is really hoping for a bigger, better group experience in future updates!

Fantasy Life i blends charming visuals with gameplay loaded with possibilities. While it might remind you a bit of Animal Crossing, the game stands apart, leaning more into story-driven, RPG-style progression.

This is perfect if you love combat, leveling up, gathering resources, and making your home your own. Open-world fans who like cozy, friendly vibes will find a lot to love!

That said, if you’re after something closer to Animal Crossing or a game focused on multiplayer, you might not find exactly what you’re seeking.

With a price tag of $59.99, the value feels right for everything that’s here, particularly if you want a game you can sink hours into at your own pace.

Is It Worth Getting the Fantasy Life i Deluxe Version Right Now? What Does It Include?

The Deluxe version mostly adds stylish extras: cosmetics for your character and gear for collectors or die-hard fans. The handful of weapons included get outclassed quickly as you progress, so they’re nothing to get too excited about gameplay-wise.

If you’re hoping the Deluxe edition gives you a real leg up in the game, you might want to skip it.

Hope this review made your decision easier! Leave your questions and suggestions in the comments below, and until next time!