Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Review – There are some games you miss not because you weren’t interested, but simply because they slipped through the cracks. For me, Fantasy Life on the 3DS was one of those titles. Despite being made by Level-5, a studio I’ve admired for years, I never gave it a fair shot—until now.
Fast forward to the present, and Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has not only landed on all modern consoles and PC, but has also quietly become a runaway success, crossing half a million copies sold and winning hearts on Steam with glowing user reviews. Naturally, I got curious. What was the fuss about? And more importantly—was it worth the time?
Turns out, absolutely.
A Premise That’s Simple, Yet Strangely Compelling
You start as a young adventurer helping a quirky archaeologist named Edward investigate a dragon fossil emitting a strange beam of light. That oddity alone might seem like enough for a normal game, but Fantasy Life i immediately kicks things up a notch: a sudden storm sends your ship crashing, flinging you back a thousand years into the past.
In this older version of the island, the world is thriving. The future, however, lies in ruins—and it’s up to you to find out what went wrong.
You’re joined by two unlikely allies: a talkative baby dragon and an energetic princess named Rem. The story, while never the main attraction, has its charm—mostly thanks to Rem. Her spirited personality adds heart to the cutscenes, and without her, I honestly might’ve skipped through some of the dialogue.
A Blend of Life Sim and Action RPG That Works Surprisingly Well
Think of Fantasy Life i as an offline MMORPG—but distilled down to something more relaxing and personal. You’re given 14 different “Lives,” or job classes, that cover everything from sword-swinging warriors to fishing pros and talented tailors. Combat, crafting, and gathering are all given equal love here, and switching between roles is seamless.
At first, it’s a little overwhelming. The tutorials come at you fast, and you’ll probably feel buried in options. But stick with it, and a beautiful rhythm begins to emerge. Every task—whether it’s chopping trees or cooking a new recipe—feeds into the next. You start setting small goals: maybe level up your blacksmithing, or catch that one rare fish. And before you know it, hours have flown by.
Combat Is Light, But Engaging
The fighting isn’t revolutionary, but it does more than enough to stay interesting. You’ve got melee classes like paladins and mercenaries, ranged fighters like hunters and magicians, and each comes with its own mechanics. Hunters can poison or stun enemies, while magicians juggle elemental spells and healing.
What makes the battles click is the feedback loop—perfect dodges, special attacks, and new gear drop just often enough to keep you hooked. It never gets overly complex, but it doesn’t need to. It just feels good.
Gathering and Crafting: The Real Hook
If you enjoy the satisfaction of slowly building something from scratch, Fantasy Life i has that in spades. You’ll mine, fish, farm, and forage across the island to gather materials. The crafting minigames—whether it’s cooking, tailoring, or smithing—rely on simple rhythm mechanics that are surprisingly addictive.
It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Early on, you’ll unlock recipes that are way out of your league, and wasting materials on failed attempts can be frustrating. But once your tools improve and your Life rank climbs, it all begins to click. That moment when you finally craft a powerful sword or a gourmet dish that helps you breeze through a tough quest? So satisfying.
Time Travel With Purpose
The game’s world is split between two timelines: the lush, vibrant past and the sparse, ruined present. Each era serves its own purpose—villages in the past host dungeons, shops, and Life Masters who give rank-up tasks, while the present focuses on rebuilding a humble campsite.
This isn’t just a cosmetic split either. Some characters, called Strangelings, are trapped inside random objects in the present. Freeing them requires special flowers that only bloom as your village grows. Once rescued, they become useful allies who can join your party, help with crafting, or even assist in clearing obstacles.
And if you’re someone who loves decorating homes or building towns, you’ll feel right at home. There’s just enough Animal Crossing-style charm here to keep you invested in the space you’re creating.
A World That’s Meant to Be Explored
Eventually, you’ll reach Ginormosia (yes, that’s its real name), a massive open area that lives up to the title. It’s packed with resource spots, mini-dungeons, fast travel shrines, and rare enemies. Even when you’re not sure what to do next, wandering around always leads to something interesting—be it a treasure grove or a new crafting material.
Solo First, Co-op Second
While the game does offer online and local co-op, the multiplayer experience is limited. You can team up with up to four players in certain areas, but story content and free-roaming aren’t fully accessible in co-op mode. This is very much a solo-first game—ideal for players looking to relax and immerse themselves rather than party up endlessly.
Final Thoughts
In a gaming landscape filled with high-stakes narratives and intense mechanics, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time offers something else: comfort. It’s cozy, colorful, and packed with systems that gently reward your curiosity. Yes, the story won’t blow your mind, and the early learning curve is real—but the sheer breadth of activities and the game’s warm, welcoming tone make it a joy to come back to.
Level-5 has something special here. If you’re the kind of player who loves to lose themselves in a game without the stress, this might just be your next favorite escape.
Score: 8.5/10 – A relaxing, rewarding adventure with heart.