It isn’t often thatFinal FantasyandAnimal Crossingcome up in the same sentence when describing a game, but one of the hottest games of summer 2025 manages to fit that bill. Blending a cozy and relaxing life sim with a story-driven RPG with plenty of combat is not an easy task to accomplish, and certainly not in a way that will make fans of both genres take notice. Whether you’re waiting for the announcement of a newAnimal Crossingor the release ofFF 7 Remakepart 3, this game could help pass the time.
Acommon misconception about cozy gamesis the idea that they should not include any form of combat, despite the obvious response to that being that evenStardew Valleyhas monsters to be slain. Meanwhile, there are plenty of RPGs that sneakily include some of the more calming life-sim elements. The difference with this summer’s hit is thatboth genres are fairly evenly balanced, with neither coming out as the main focus, and both just feel right together.
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Is Worth Playing This Summer
Not Only Is It A Great Game With Strong Reviews, But It Could Stand The Test Of Time
Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timewas released on Jul 25, 2025, and sold so well, with such high review scores, that Level 5 announced theywould be making a free DLCto celebrate.Developers describe the game as a “slow-life RPG"as it offers a cozy adventure with a surprisingly deep storyline and satisfying combat mechanics. It’s played using a unique “Life” system where players can easily switch between 14 different jobs or class types that focus on everything from combat to farming.
Traveling between different eras of time, players can unravel a mystery and build up their own island town, gaining new party members and decorating a beautiful island and home. Once players have gotten to a high enough level, they can evenexperience it in multiplayerwith up to four players exploring dungeons together.
The originalFantasy Lifegame for the Nintendo 3DS became a cult classic, with a huge fanbase of players who continued to play the game over ten years later. Though time will tell whetherFantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timewill continue to have this legacy, so far many have said that the game is even better than the original, and it has the highMetacriticscores to prove it.
Why FF Fans Will Love Fantasy Life As Much As Animal Crossing Fans Will
Cozy Life Sim Meets RPG In This Fantasy Game
The 14 Life systems, more commonly recognized as jobs or classes, can be quickly and easily swapped between to let players enjoy every aspect of the game. The more a Life is used, the higher it is leveled up, unlocking new skills and strengths to make it even more powerful. There are a couple of different combat styles, including ones that use magic, shoot arrows, or close-range melee. After a certain point in the game,NPCs can join up with the player to help balance out a full party mechanic.
Many of the Life choices focus on the more cozy aspects of the game, with gathering, crafting, cooking, and farming all featuring prominently in the experience. Decorating ones island helps to draw in more NPCs who can join the party, and is simply a relaxing and cheerful experience. Even the art style offers a cozy feeling, with its soft and colorful design. No matter which genre you lean more towards,Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Timecould be your next big summer game.
