Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time’ Takes Steam by Storm: Is This Zelda Meets Animal Crossing?

A new contender has emerged and is rapidly capturing the hearts of gamers worldwide. Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, the long-awaited sequel in the Fantasy Life series, has launched to impressive acclaim, drawing comparisons to a charming blend of Zelda and Animal Crossing. But what makes this game so special, and why is it dominating Steam charts?

The first full installment in 13 years, Fantasy Life i immediately scored big, boasting 92% positive reviews out of over 2,000 on Steam the day of its full release. This blend of life/farming sim aspects with Zelda-like combat is clearly resonating with players eager for a fresh and engaging experience.

What's the Secret?

The game offers a unique experience by blending elements of the action RPG and cozy simulation genres. Players can gather resources, terraform their islands, decorate their houses, dungeon-crawl, and explore a vast open world. The time travel motif allows players to seamlessly transition between different settings, influencing both gameplay and progression. Offering 14 unique jobs, players are free to switch between them more readily in exploring.

Steam Success Story

Available on Steam, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, and after the initial early access, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time has already reached peak player counts of 34,318 on Steam, surpassing Level 5's previous hit, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom. The game even momentarily surpassed Doom: The Dark Ages. "This game took over my life," confesses one Steam reviewer. Another gushes, "This is the first time in a while I can say I think a $60 game I purchased is worth the price."

The Fantasy Life Legacy

Building upon the foundations of the original Fantasy Life for the 3DS, The Girl Who Steals Time allows for greater self-expression by providing more options to explore using your own playing style.. You can switch freely from a battle-oriented class such as a Paladin or a Hunter; or you could take on an occupation that allows you to appreciate the little things in life like a Carpenter, Tailor or Cook. The possibilities are endless!

Multiplayer Caveats

However, multiplayer functionality seems to be tied to endgame content, limiting cooperative play through the main campaign. For players eager to progress through the story with friends, this could be a significant drawback.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time successfully integrates action adventure RPG elements to create a unique gameplay experience. Players have the freedom to explore different playing styles thanks to a plethora of jobs. Its blend of RPG elements and cozy sim aspects makes it a compelling experience, offering a charming escape for gamers.

Will this fantastical life simulation become one of the best farming sims out there? Only time will tell, but its initial success points to a bright future. Have you picked up Fantasy Life i? What are your thoughts on the game so far? Leave a comment below!

• Fantasy Life
• Level-5
• Nintendo Switch

Related issues news

Is Fantasy Life I getting a physical release?

The soon-to-be-released Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time will not be getting a physical release in the West for whatever reason.

Is Fantasy Life on Gamepass?

+Offers in-app purchases. Game requires online multiplayer subscription to play on console (Game Pass Core or Ultimate, sold separately).

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