Fantasy Life

 3DS
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51
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  1. DarkZero
    Apr 9, 2015
    100
    Despite this game more than likely being in a niche category to most people, it ends up being one of the best selections on the 3DS, and with all the great stuff you can do in it, it deserves all its praise.
  2. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    Oct 11, 2014
    94
    This game is absolutely charming and a lovely surprise. [Issue#116, p.84]
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  3. USgamer
    Oct 23, 2014
    90
    Addictive and perfectly suited for a portable platform, Fantasy Life may well be the most pleasant video game surprise of the year.
  5. Vandal
    Sep 25, 2014
    90
    We love the amount of freedom we can find here. We can either play it as an RPG or as a life simulator, or anywhere in between. A great experience full of surprises.
  6. Gameblog.fr
    Sep 17, 2014
    90
    Blending all these aspirations - and inspirations - through a coherent adventure might feel like a dream, but it became a reality with Fantasy Life.
  7. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 17, 2014
    90
    Advertised as a "life simulator", Fantasy Life is actually a pretty standard action RPG crafted with amazing care and sensitivity. It's fun and gorgeous looking, albeit somewhat repetitive if you strive for complete every task and master every class.
  8. Meristation
    Sep 16, 2014
    90
    Fantasy Life could be one of those games that you fall instantly in love with. With a lifespan that goes beyond 100+ hours of fun and thousands of different quests to accomplish, it's the first RPG and Social Life-Style game that makes us wonder if this is the righteous path to follow in upcoming years.
  9. CD-Action
    Jul 27, 2015
    85
    A great, addictive game that should please the fans of Animal Crossing, simple RPGs and Harvest Moon. [08/2015, p.79]
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  10. SpazioGames
    Oct 17, 2014
    85
    Fantasy Life is a very ambitious project, able to fulfill its ultimate goal, which is to immerse the player into a fantasy world, with a lot of things to do and a lot of places to explore. Fantasy Life is one of the best games for 3DS released in 2014.
  11. Digital Chumps
    Oct 29, 2014
    84
    Level 5 and 1UP Studios have done a wonderful job of creating a lighthearted adventure that should be on any completionist's radar.
  12. Impulsegamer
    Oct 10, 2014
    82
    A very addictive and enjoyable game that focuses more on the tasks for your jobs opposed to the standard RPG format with beautiful its gameplay and almost flawless gameplay.
  13. COGconnected
    Nov 9, 2014
    81
    It’s easy to pick up and play for a little while without committing yourself, and it’s got the lighthearted charm of a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
  14. Cheat Code Central
    Oct 30, 2014
    80
    Though the story and gameplay are a bit mismatched, there's a lot to do and see in this game's charming world.
  15. Game Revolution
    Oct 29, 2014
    80
    For handheld gamers this holiday season, the pickings remain slim, but Fantasy Life offers an idealized imaginative antithesis to all-out action like you’d find in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
  16. Cubed3
    Oct 29, 2014
    80
    An impressive debut for a brand-new IP whose clever and well thought out design catapults Fantasy Life into the upper ranks of the 3DS library.
  17. Destructoid
    Oct 24, 2014
    80
    If you're looking for something to scratch that Animal Crossing or Tomodachi Life itch with a little more substance, Fantasy Life is the game for you.
  18. IGN
    Oct 23, 2014
    80
    Though the pacing is sluggish and some of the quests a little too redundant, the kooky characters, silly humor, and incredibly addictive gameplay kept me fishing and forging well after the final credits rolled.
  19. Gaming Nexus
    Oct 22, 2014
    80
    Fantasy Life is a charming action RPG mixed with a surprisingly deep job and class system.
  20. Critical Hit
    Sep 30, 2014
    80
    While there are issues regarding ease of use and the inane storyline, Fantasy Life is a ton of fun to play. Fantasy Life is an excellent choice for fans of the job-based JRPG looking for something light hearted, or for those who are looking for Animal Crossing with more action.
  21. XGN
    Sep 29, 2014
    80
    It is lovely, cutesy and a bit childish, but we do not care. Level-5 has got us hooked on Fantasy Life. We love the unexpected situations, the sweet life in Reveria and the combination of talking, fighting and playing mini-games is tons of fun.
  22. Everyeye.it
    Sep 23, 2014
    80
    Fantasy Life is part RPG and part Animal Crossing. It's not well balanced as the aforementioned title, as the mini-games can be a little bit too repetitious, but has its moments.
  23. 3DJuegos
    Sep 23, 2014
    80
    Fantasy Life successfully combines a social simulator feeling with role playing mechanics in one of the longest games for Nintendo 3DS. If you like Animal Crossing, you should give it a try.
  24. Eurogamer Italy
    Sep 17, 2014
    80
    A cute RPG with tons of contents and a small touch of Animal Crossing's variety. The cartoonish graphics and the childish style are great for a young audience, but its fun gameplay can be satisfying for every kind of player.
  25. God is a Geek
    Sep 16, 2014
    80
    If I had to criticise what is otherwise a brilliant value package, it is the woefully disappointing story and the way it doesn’t warrant much emotional investment. Luckily the desire to max out your character and become a master of the many fun and diverse occupations more than makes up for it.
  26. Nintendo Life
    Sep 16, 2014
    80
    Providing quality gameplay in both its life sim and action RPG aspects, served up with all of the colourful wit and charm anyone could ask for, it serves as a jewel in the crown of memory of a games studio that helped create some of the most memorable role-playing video games that ever graced the medium.
  27. NintendoWorldReport
    Sep 16, 2014
    80
    The main story may seem to end right as it starts getting good, but the jobs are worth staying around for, making Fantasy Life a lengthy and interesting simulation RPG.
  28. FNintendo
    Sep 16, 2014
    80
    Fantasy Life is a colossal adventure game with RPG elements and which offers an almost endless amount of content for the player to get lost with. Packing nearly 100 hours of gameplay with all the extras and side quests, Fantasy Life could use a faster pace for its main story mode and some flaws on the multiplayer mode could use an additional touch, but any fan of adventure games and who appreciates a touch of RPG will be more than happy with this piece.
  29. GameCritics
    Feb 21, 2015
    75
    Ultimately, it may not have delivered as much variety as I was hoping for, but with the right expectations there's still a good amount of job-flavored questing to be had.
  30. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Nov 25, 2014
    75
    The easiest way to describe Fantasy Life is “Skyrim for children”. The developers were aiming for a game where a world would be as open as possible, and where a player would be offered a variety of interesting activities not necessarily related to monster-slaughtering. And they hit the mark. [Dec 2014, p.76]
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  31. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Oct 30, 2014
    75
    Fantasy Life appeals to the dad in me because it teaches kids that work can be fun. It encourages kids to think that jobs – even real ones like tailoring and carpentry – are like a game.
  32. 4Players.de
    Oct 6, 2014
    75
    The battles and minigames are not very challenging, but you’ll get an very relaxing mix of roleplaying and life sim in an idyllic world with loads of opportunities.
  33. JeuxActu
    Sep 22, 2014
    75
    Once again, Level-5 brings a very good title to the Nintendo 3DS with Fantasy Life. It maybe not the greatest RPG ever, but it's fair to say that there is a gamble there, an idea to make this game different, even with all those classic elements around. At the heart of this vision, the job system, which makes Fantasy Life so addictive. Unfortunately, the game is far too easy, too slow and not so interesting from time to time.
  34. IGN Italia
    Sep 17, 2014
    75
    Fantasy Life is charming little action RPG. In many ways it looks like a Monster Hunter with a less steep learning curve and a wider range of activities to perform, but in the end it stands on its own thanks to the nice class system. Too bad that few cumbersome choices in the game design, the relatively poor technical compartment and the annoying story keep the game from reaching better highs.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best 3DS Game of 2014
6
#6 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2014
1
#1 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2014

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 217 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 275
  3. Negative: 19 out of 275
  1. Ratchet_Robbie
    Oct 24, 2014
    10
    What a life! I was wondering if this was going to be as entertaining as it is adorable, and the answer is yes! I read a lot of reviews whereWhat a life! I was wondering if this was going to be as entertaining as it is adorable, and the answer is yes! I read a lot of reviews where people said this was a boring or repetitive game, but I don't think people are taking this into context as for what it is. Awesome animated graphics and the definite plus, along with a giant world. Open world play shines, along with being able to do so many different things. The crafting is just as engaging as any other game that has crafting, like Final Fantasy XIV for example. Are there fetch quests? Yes. If you get bored, simply do something else for a while. This is not a "hardcore" RPG nor is it as customizable as Animal Crossing, though the mix of the genres makes this better in my opinion. I think this game is very underrated and highly suggest this, as it is all about exploration and fun. Yay for Fantasy Life!… Full Review »
  2. Mivo
    Oct 24, 2014
    10
    I had no high hopes or expectations when Fantasy Life came out in Europe (a month before the NA release), and only looked for something toI had no high hopes or expectations when Fantasy Life came out in Europe (a month before the NA release), and only looked for something to kill a bit of time with while waiting for Borderlands and Pokemon. I was in for a surprise, because it didn't just kill some time, it slaughtered it!

    Fantasy Life grabbed me straight away and pulled me into its world like few other 3DS games have. Right from the start, I got addicted to the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do, and to go wherever I felt like going. Instead of fretting about which "class" I should play, and where I should spend my points, I could just start playing without a worry, because you can do everything with the same character, and there is no way that you can mess up. Even if you misplace your stat points, or change your mind later, you can eventually "respec" and reset them!

    In the mood for hunting monsters? No problem, go to the Guild Office and change to a combat life. Don't know what combat life to play as? Just level them all! Tired of bashing in monster skulls? Sure thing, go and fish, cook, or craft! Sleepy and not really up for either activity? Put on your woodcutter or miner hat, and run around gathering materials. Feel creative? Decorate one of your six houses with items you found, were given as quest rewards, or crafted yourself! All of this with the same character, no limitations, no need for multiple save games!

    Gameplay-wise, Fantasy Life somewhat resembles Rune Factory, but is a little heavier on the action. The combat is in real-time, almost Zelda'esque, but it's not overly complicated or even twitchy. Monsters and gathering nodes respawn, so you can farm as much as you want. There are no real death penalties, which makes the game easy and forgiving, but it's really all about leveling your lives (jobs), unlocking recipes, doing challenges, and getting (crafting and finding) the best equipment.

    Crafting consists of interactive, reaction-based mini games where you have to mash buttons as fast as you can, which also determines the quality of the items you create. They are all fairly same-y, with exception of fishing, but it still beats the "click a button and check back a few minutes later" kind of crafting that most other games have.

    It is worth mentioning that you can craft and gather while you're in a different life. In case of gathering that's just fine (you get slightly fewer materials if you mine while you're a paladin, for example), but for crafting you want the bonus that you get from being in the respective life (changing is trivial and painless).

    The story is not particularly complex or original, though I found it entertaining enough, but it serves the purpose of introducing you to the world and the lore. It's definitely on the light side, so if you're looking for a complex plot with many surprises, this game won't offer it. You advance the story whenever you are ready for the next chapter by completing Flutter's requests (mostly talking to NPCs and visiting specific places). Completing a story section opens up new areas, so there is no rush and you can go through the story mode as quickly or as slowly as you prefer.

    There are no "missables" in the game. You can't go wrong no matter what you do, and you can change your mind at any time without punishing consequences. The post-game and the DLC offer a lot of things that you can do, either solo or together with friends. "Tower Runs", for loot and experience, are popular, and are a good way to collect great loot for all of your lives!

    Day-one DLC is a downside, but it's quite crucial since it adds a lot of content, most of it post game, plus the friendship/social system. It also raises the level cap. Unless you can't afford it at all, my recommendation would be to grab the DLC right away when you start playing (friendship system and additional customization options as well as an extra pet type are immediately available).

    A great aspect of the game is that you never have to become all "OCD" over decisions. In the post-game, you can "respec" your character on the fly and re-assign your stat points (you can do everything even with the "wrong" stats, but they do give a bonus and it's easy to change them). Dosh, as money is called in Fantasy Life, is easy to farm, so if you want to go from being a paladin to being a hunter, you can do so within a few seconds. Whatever you feel like, in Fantasy Life you can be and do it. If you do everything, you're looking at about 200+ hours of gameplay here.

    For me, Fantasy Life is one of the best games the system has to offer. It came out of the blue and was a complete surprise to me. If you like Rune Factory and similar games, but always wished they were a bit heavier on the action, Fantasy Life will deliver. In many ways, it's even quite a bit like Skyrim, just packaged very cutely.

    If any of this sounds interesting to you, check out Fantasy Life. You'll quite possibly love it dearly!    … Full Review »
  3. rubin
    Oct 27, 2014
    6
    Jack of all trades, master of none. That phrase probably best describes my thoughts when playing Fantasy Life. The game, advertised as a lifeJack of all trades, master of none. That phrase probably best describes my thoughts when playing Fantasy Life. The game, advertised as a life sim, is actually a simple jRPG with an even simpler story. Fantasy Life's main strength lies in a vast, beautiful game world (by handheld standards) and addicting gameplay (if spite of it's simplicity). Multiplayer (online and wireless) is also surprisingly fun, although the game's niche status means you probably won't get to experience it very often. Unfortunately, major design flaws prevent Fantasy Life from becoming something more than a fun little timewaster. The game supposed major selling point - 12 different character classes (standard ones like paladin or mage, but also woodcutter, miner, cook, tailor etc) - falls flat when you realize most of them are essentially clones. This is especially true for crafting classes like tailor and blacksmith, all of which use the same minigame for creating new items. Another big flaw - questing system, which is the standard kill&fetch fare most of us got bored off ages ago with their MMO of choice. Moreover, the questing rewards are often so pitiful that doing them is simply not worth the player's time. Third and final flaw I'd like to present is music, which is boring at best, and painful to listen to at worst (just search for the Main Menu music on YT to see what I mean). There is also a hefty amount of smaller flaws (like horses terrible controls), but to prevent this text from becoming needlessly long and nitpicky I'd like to end my review here.… Full Review »
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