FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a social slow-life RPG developed by Level-5 and available on PS5. Players take on the role of an adventurer who joins an expedition to a mysterious uncharted island, where a dragon's fossil and a plea from a girl set the stage for uncovering the reasons behind its ancient downfall through travel between its thriving past and ruined present.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around freely switching between 14 Lives, the game's job system divided into combat, gathering, and crafting categories. Combat Lives include Paladin for shield-based defense, Mercenary for heavy sword strikes, Hunter for ranged bow attacks, and Magician for spellcasting. Gathering Lives cover Miner for ore extraction, Woodcutter for timber, Angler for fishing, and Farmer for crops. Crafting Lives handle Cook for meals, Blacksmith for weapons and tools, Carpenter for furniture, Tailor for clothing, Alchemist for potions, and Artist for decorative items. Each Life levels independently through dedicated challenges, and seamless transitions occur when approaching relevant resources or stations.
Exploration takes place across a large open-world continent called Ginormosia, where players can climb ledges, swim through water, and ride mounts to reach new areas. Time travel between the island's past and present reveals different resources, layouts, and story elements. Island customization allows terrain alteration, placement of houses and objects, creation of rivers and roads, and interior decoration to build a personalized settlement. Strangelings rescued during play join as buddies that assist with specific Life activities in combat, gathering, or crafting.
Game Modes
Singleplayer focuses on the main story progression through quests, Life rank advancement, and world restoration efforts. Open exploration encourages free roaming to discover materials, complete requests from villagers, and tackle monsters in the field. Multiplayer supports up to four players online for shared island visits, dungeon runs, and cooperative activities, while local co-op with two controllers lets a second player join as a travel companion named Trip without requiring an internet connection.
Building and customization function as an ongoing mode where gathered materials fuel island expansion and personalization. Life-specific tasks provide structured goals within each profession, blending resource management with combat encounters against leveled enemies, including tougher variants with special rewards.
Story and World
The narrative follows the protagonist sailing with archaeologist Edward's team, guided by the light from a dragon fossil to the deserted island. A vast abyss and messages from the past drive the effort to prevent a repeat of the island's collapse one thousand years earlier. Four islands in the past offer distinct materials and challenges, while the present-day setting emphasizes restoration through player actions.
Quests from NPCs and Life masters advance both the plot and personal progression. Buddies and restored characters contribute to the community feel, offering support during adventures and base activities.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reviews from major outlets highlight the game's strong blend of life simulation and light RPG elements, with scores averaging in the mid-80s on aggregate sites and frequent praise for its variety and charm. Players report dozens of hours spent on the main story and side activities, with many noting the addictive cycle of gathering, crafting, and exploring. Ongoing updates have added features such as Photo Mode, mount improvements, and new areas, indicating continued support after the May 2025 release.
This title suits those who enjoy cozy progression systems paired with combat and building freedom. The seamless Life switching and time-travel mechanics provide consistent engagement without forcing a single playstyle. For PS5 owners seeking a substantial singleplayer experience with optional multiplayer, the depth of content and positive reception make it a strong choice.
