Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Hits Early Access

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has entered early access and is quickly climbing the Steam Global Top Sellers list, now sitting at #2. Developed by Level-5, the game was announced during the February 2023 Nintendo Direct and has experienced a difficult development process. Fans of the original Fantasy Life, released for Nintendo 3DS in 2014, are excited to see its cozy life-sim gameplay return, allowing players to master various life paths as jobs. Early reviews praise the game for its polish, nostalgic elements, and quality-of-life improvements over the original. However, some criticism has been aimed at the limitations of the multiplayer experience. The full release is scheduled for May 21, 2025, on multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Key features of Fantasy Life i include a refined gameplay experience reminiscent of the original game, the flexibility of mastering multiple life paths or jobs, and improved graphics and sound. The game also introduces quality-of-life enhancements, but some multiplayer features may be limited compared to the previous iteration.

Fantasy Life was originally released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2014 and garnered a loyal fanbase due to its engaging life-sim mechanics and charming art style. It allowed players to engage in a variety of jobs, from combat roles like Paladin to everyday tasks like Cooking and Tailoring. This sequel not only aims to rekindle that essence but also adjusts to a modern audience, attempting to capture the success enjoyed by similar titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing.