After years of anticipation from fans of the original 3DS gem,FANTASY LIFE i: THE GIRL WHO STEALS TIMEfinally came out on Jun 15, 2025. Call me an optimist, but I feel like this is probably LEVEL5’s most ambitious release yet. The game simultaneously dropped on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC viaSteam, with a Nintendo Switch 2 edition already confirmed for future release.
Early reviews from Japan have been stellar, with the legendary Famitsu magazine awarding it an impressive 36/40 score. Critics are praising the game’s unique blend of cozy life simulation and robust RPG mechanics that expand dramatically on what made the original Fantasy Life a cult classic. Let’s take a look at what exactly makes this game so interesting.
Fantasy Life: Where Time Travel Meets Island Building
For the uninitiated, Fantasy Life began as a 3DS gem that combined job-switchingRPG mechanicswith town life. This new installment takes that foundation and goes absolutely wild with it, daring to ask: “What if we let players terraform an entire island AND travel 1,000 years through time while mastering 14 different professions?”
You arrive on Mysteria Island with archaeologist Edward and his quirky research team after following the trail of an ancient dragon fossil. What starts as simple exploration quickly spirals into dimension-hopping shenanigans with a mysterious girl and a skeleton dragon that somehow manages to be simultaneously adorable and terrifying.
Fourteen Lives, Endless Possibilities
Players restore the present-day island with materials and companions they’ve gathered from the island in the past and the open-world continent. You can focus on gathering many companions, or put your energy into rebuilding the island: how you shape your adventure is entirely up to you.
Morever, the players will sculpt the very landscape itself by creating rivers, building roads, raising mountains, and completely customizing their island paradise. Players can also decorate their own home, or even interact with any companions that they have recruited in the past (like sending over a nice little gift!)
The real magic happens when you start combining these professions. Need tough monster materials for your blacksmithing? Switch to Hunter. Want better cooking ingredients? Time to become an expert Angler. Each Life has its own little storyline and skilltree, making even mundane activities feel like they’re part of a bigger plan.
Cross-Platform Play And Cross-Save Functionality
LEVEL5 has also implemented full cross-platform multiplayer, supporting up to 4 players online (or even locally if you’re running it on the Switch). Even more impressive is the cross-save functionality that allows players to transfer progress between supported platforms.
Up to four players can explore together online, with full cross-platform support. Local two-player family co-op is also available on all platforms, including through Remote Play Together on Steam.
On Nintendo Switch, though, you’ll need two full sets of Joy-Cons, one for each player. What surprised me was how naturally cooperative play fits into the game’s design. Each player can specialize in different Lives, creating natural divisions of labor.
Digital Deluxe Bonuses And Early Access
Players who purchase the Digital Deluxe Edition will receive several exclusive items, including the eye-catching Napdragon mount, unique weapons, and specialty costume packs. While some platforms offered early access to Deluxe owners, all versions will be available worldwide starting tomorrow.
Early access players have already discovered some surprising depth, including procedurally generated infinite dungeons called “Treasure Groves” that can be planted and grown from special saplings, and a crafting signature system that lets players add their personal mark to crafted equipment.
Extensive Post-Launch Support Planned
At a standard $59.99 price point ($79.99 for the Digital Deluxe Edition with exclusive goodies), Fantasy Life i offers exceptional value with its 30-40 hour main story and 80+ hours of completionist content. The game has already earned a stellar 36/40 from Famitsu, and I suspect Western critics will be similarly impressed.
LEVEL5 has confirmed robust post-launch support, with version 1.1.1 already available on some platforms and larger updates planned for the coming months.
It’s rare to find a game that genuinely surprises me anymore, butFantasy Life imanages that feat repeatedly. Part of me wants to tell everyone to experience this beautiful mess of ideas. The other part wants to keep it as my own weird little secret. Either way, I’ve already called in “sick” for tomorrow and stocked up on energy drinks. My island won’t terraform itself.
If you need me, I’ll be somewhere between yesterday and a thousand years ago, probably fishing. Or fighting dragons. Or redecorating my house. Or all three at once, because apparently that’s a thing you can do now.
FANTASY LIFE i: THE GIRL WHO STEALS TIME is now available forNintendo Switch,PlayStation 4/5,Xbox Series X|S,and PC viaSteam.
