No Animal Crossing announced for Nintendo Switch 2 yet, but the life sim RPG I’ve waited 11 years for is coming to Switch next month

The major Nintendo Switch 2 announcement provided Tomodachi Life fans with the news they’ve hoped for for over a decade, yet their Animal Crossing friends across the sea were left craving updates about their life simulation passion.

Delve a little deeper into the realm of life and social simulations, and you’ll encounter more delightful tidings. I have been feasting like royalty for months because Level 5’s latest life simulation RPG, Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, is set to launch after a lengthy wait of 11 years.

A fresh trailer for Fantasy Life i, marking the first console release in the series since the underappreciated 3DS gem Fantasy Life in 2014, was unveiled just today (in Japanese with English subtitles), and this eagerly anticipated sequel appears to improve with each new glimpse.

While it will not be a native title for the Switch 2, Fantasy Life i is set to launch on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on May 21, ahead of the June 5 Switch 2 debut. I will likely play it on my Switch 2 to validate my slightly increased expenditure (now a bit more substantial, with Switch 2 accessory costs increasing in the US) for a console that features one exclusive game I genuinely care about.

As a reminder, pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 will open in the US on April 24, and the standard price of the console remains at $449.99 in the region.

The Fantasy Life enthusiasm has been gradually spreading through the GamesRadar+ office, with my colleague Anna also joining the excitement.

me in lamenting its repeated postponements.

There’s something uniquely enchanting about this franchise – particularly, the previous installment’s blend of crafting, gathering, and battle mechanics that resonates with my mind like no other life simulation can. It boasts a more adventurous approach with clear objectives, and the interconnected quests and progression systems create an engaging loop that captivated me years ago.

The latest trailer highlights the workflow of embarking on a quest to create a particular item, gathering the materials from nature (sometimes by graciously escorting creatures or challenging bosses to their demise), and then crafting vigorously at the woodworking station.

Fantasy Life i enables you to switch professions when needed in the field, broadening your choices and enhancing the collaboration among various life paths. For instance, a proficient Carpenter can produce excellent bows for use as a Hunter, while a talented Angler will have an advantage in preparing superior dishes as a Cook.

I’ve often referred to Fantasy Life as a life simulation that also embraces the essence of a Zelda game, and the latest version appears to be an enriched, revitalized iteration of that. Energized by a Japanese narrator enthusiastically explaining these life paths akin to a MOBA esports announcer exclaiming “pentakill,” the new trailer conveys that same delightful appeal.

This one can’t arrive soon enough.

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Austin has dedicated 12 years to gaming journalism, collaborating with renowned outlets like PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and others while completing his journalism studies. He has been a part of GamesRadar+ since 2019. They remain unaware that his role serves as a guise for his long-running Destiny column, which he supports with various news pieces and occasional features, all while indulging in as many roguelikes as he can.