Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time

IGN

Travis Northup

9 / 10.0

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is an excellent blend of cozy life sim and action-adventure RPG that rarely stops surprising throughout its 50+ hour runtime.

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TheGamer

Meg Pelliccio

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.

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Nintendo Life

Oliver Reynolds

9 / 10

Given how cheap the upgrade is for Switch 1 owners — you’re looking at £2.04 / $2.59 / €2.27 or your regional equivalent — the performance improvements for Fantasy Life i on Switch 2 are more than worth the price of admission.

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DualShockers

Callum Marshall

8 / 10.0

The visuals, score and overall presentation have been elevated beyond recognition, and yet, the things that made the original great remain intact. The abundance of gameplay mechanics and variety via the different islands and time periods is a standout feature that makes the endless grind paletable, and while every action in the game borders on basic, it never crosses the threshold to be considered boring.

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TheSixthAxis

Miguel Moran

8 / 10

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!

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ZTGD

Terrence Johnson

9 / 10.0

It’s not a game for everyone but for those willing to settle into its rhythms and forgive a few rough edges, there’s something special here. It’s the kind of game you come back to on quiet evenings not because it demands your attention, but because it earns your time.

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Push Square

Robert Ramsey

8 / 10

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a surprisingly monstrous outing. It can be a seriously addictive RPG adventure, utterly stuffed with things to see, do, and eventually master. The grind can be a bit overwhelming at times, but Level-5's trademark charm and well-designed gameplay loops should keep you coming back. This is vibrant all-ages fun, pretty much from start to finish.

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The Games Machine

Majkol "Zaru" Robuschi

8.3 / 10.0

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.

Review in Italian | Read full review