Life sims are in no short supply on 3DS. First came Animal Crossing, then Tomodachi Life, and now this intriguing title from Professor Layton creators Level-5. Fantasy Life mixes up the standard formula by combining the life sim with an RPG. Players must select a “life” (roles range from combat jobs, such as wizard, to non-combat, such as lumberjack) and master their trade before embarking on an adventure, all the while customising their house and performing tasks for other characters.

It’s a beautiful game, with visuals reminiscent of Japanese animation. The soundtrack is delightful, the story is charming, and there are plenty of missions and places to explore. But unfortunately, the gameplay is rudimentary. The combat lacks any real strategy, the quests largely involve fetching items, and the non-combat roles quickly become dull. Young gamers will find plenty to love here, but  for older fans there are superior RPGs already available on 3DS.