FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a 2025 role-playing life simulation game developed and published by Level-5. It serves as a sequel to Fantasy Life and continues the series’ blend of RPG mechanics and life sim elements. The game was released on May 21, 2025, across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. An upgraded version for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring improved visuals and performance, is set to launch shortly after on June 5, 2025.

Set on an island within the world of Reveria, the game allows players to select from fourteen distinct “Life classes” or job roles. These roles govern the types of tasks players can complete, encouraging frequent switching between classes to access different gameplay activities. This dynamic class system forms the backbone of the experience, offering a wide range of goals and playstyles that cater to both combat and non-combat interests.

A central feature of the game is time travel, which adds a unique twist to the progression system. Players can journey a thousand years into the past to restore a ruined island, effectively shaping the present through their actions in the past. This mechanic ties directly into the game’s core loop, blending narrative and gameplay progression through a cause-and-effect structure that rewards long-term planning and exploration.

Development of the title began before its announcement in 2023 but faced two delays, pushing the final release into 2025. Initially produced by Keiji Inafune, the project saw a leadership change when Inafune departed in 2024, with Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino taking over production duties. Despite these shifts, the game retained its vision and ultimately launched across all planned platforms.