Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time offers a charming and engaging multiplayer experience, but co-op isn’t available right from the start.
Whether you’re playing locally or online with friends, there are a few story milestones you need to reach before jumping into multiplayer.
This guide explains how to unlock and play both local and online co-op in the game.
Does Fantasy Life i Have Multiplayer?
Yes, Fantasy Life i includes two types of co-op multiplayer:
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Local Co-Op (single screen, two controllers)
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Online Co-Op (via lobby system with friends or public players)
Each mode becomes available at a different point in the main story, and both require some progress before you can access them.
How to Unlock Local Co-Op
Local co-op becomes available shortly after starting the game, but not immediately. Here’s how to access it:
1. Progress Through the Intro
Play through the main story until your character goes to sleep for the first time. This usually takes around 1 hour, depending on how fast you move through dialogue and objectives.
2. Watch the Bird Backstory Scene
After your character wakes up from their first rest, you’ll see a cutscene involving a bird’s backstory. Once this scene finishes, local co-op becomes available.
3. Activate the Second Controller
If you see a bird following Player One, that means Player Two can now join by pressing the indicated button shown on-screen (typically in the bottom-right corner).
In local co-op mode, Player Two controls the bird companion, offering light support during exploration and battles.
How to Unlock Online Co-Op
Online multiplayer takes more time to unlock compared to local co-op, but offers a fuller experience with other players.
1. Continue the Main Story
Keep playing until you gain access to the Guild Office on the main island. This usually happens after 2–3 hours of gameplay, depending on your pace.
2. Complete the Warren Willow Hollow Quest
After completing your initial quest in Warren Willow Hollow, you’ll be given your guild and granted access to new areas within the Guild Office.
3. Talk to Calm in the Guild Office
Go to the back room of the Guild Office and find an NPC named Calm. Talking to Calm allows you to:
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Create an online lobby
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Join an existing co-op session
Online multiplayer lets you fully explore, quest, and battle alongside other players.
Co-Op Gameplay Tips
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Local co-op is limited: Player Two (as the bird) has minimal control but can help with basic tasks.
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Online co-op is more dynamic: Both players can participate in battles, resource gathering, and story quests.
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Progress first, then play together: You’ll need to clear solo content before unlocking co-op features.
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Use voice chat separately: The game doesn’t support built-in voice communication.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy Life i makes you earn your way into multiplayer, but once unlocked, co-op adds a fun and interactive layer to the game. Local co-op is a neat feature for couch play, while online co-op offers a fuller adventure with friends.
Whether you’re exploring the island, completing Life quests, or farming resources together, co-op enhances the entire Fantasy Life experience.