Fantasy Life i: First Impressions & Xbox Delay – Is It Worth the Wait?

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is finally here, or at least, it's *almost* here. After a long wait and a few bumps in the road, the game has launched in early access on select platforms, and the first impressions are rolling in. But not everything is smooth sailing, especially for Xbox Series X/S players.

On Steam, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. With over 1,200 reviews, the game boasts a "very positive" rating. One user describes it as "pure joy," praising the vibe and recommending it to fans of life sims with a fantasy twist. Another player raves that it was "absolutely" worth the wait, recommending it to fans of games like Animal Crossing and the original 3DS title.

Here are some direct quotes from early players:

Soraphina: "My first Fantasy Life and I already get why people waited for this... Pure joy. The vibe is sweet, colorful, and just the right mix of questing and chill downtime."

Lenicia: "I waited so long for this game and it was absolutely worth it... It combines life sim elements, cozy RPG mechanics and a beautiful fantasy setting in a way that feels both relaxing and exciting."

Relampago: "So far this is everything I remember that made the 3ds Fantasy Life great but so much more."

However, not everyone is completely satisfied. Some users have expressed concerns about the co-op and multiplayer aspects, citing restrictions and feeling like it's an afterthought. One user noted it takes 3-6 hours to even unlock multiplayer and can no longer refund once they realize its lackluster.

RastaGod: "If you're trying to play with friends then I wouldn't recommend this game, there too many restrictions on playing together..."

Meanwhile, Xbox Series X/S players are facing a frustrating delay. Level-5 announced an "ongoing technical issue on Xbox's side" preventing the early access launch as planned. The team is working to resolve the issue and promises to "review possible measures to compensate for the delay." This issue does not affect early access on Steam or PS4/5, the developers confirmed in a statement posted on social media.

The game, at its core, offers a unique blend of RPG and life simulation elements. Players can explore a vast world, build their own island town, and experience 14 different "lives" or classes, switching between roles like blacksmith, farmer, and warrior. It's described as an "Animal Crossing game with its foot stuck in Dragon Quest Heroes."

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time officially launches on May 21st for PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S (hopefully), Switch, and PC via Steam. While the Steam early access is receiving positive feedback, the Xbox delay leaves many wondering if the full release will be worth the wait—and if the co-op concerns will be addressed.

Will Fantasy Life i live up to the hype? Are the issues with the co-op experience as bad as some players are saying? Share your thoughts and expectations in the comments below!

• Fantasy Life
• Level-5
• Xbox Series X