Tales of the Shire: A Cozy Lord of the Rings Game
The Lord of the Rings universe offers a vast range of stories, but living a peaceful life in the Shire might be one of the most appealing. Instead of battling orcs, imagine living among hobbits in a cozy, peaceful world. The idea of a Cozy Game set in the Shire makes perfect sense. But after getting a first look at Tales of the Shire, we’re still unsure if this dream will live up to its promise.
Life in the Shire: A Hobbit’s Dream?
When reading The Lord of the Rings, the Shire feels like a magical place, and Peter Jackson’s films brought it to life beautifully. The idea of settling in the Shire, surrounded by quirky neighbors and endless green pastures, sounds ideal. That’s exactly what Tales of the Shire offers—a peaceful life, free from the constant danger of Middle-earth’s darker corners.
Weta Workshop, known for its work on Jackson’s films, is now creating this interactive experience. In Tales of the Shire, players create a hobbit and move into a small, abandoned home in Bywater. Your goal? To become part of the community, helping villagers and enjoying the simple joys of Shire life.
Quests and Characters: The Heart of Bywater
The game introduces a variety of colorful characters, from a forgetful fishing expert to a grumpy farmer and a friendly herbalist. Early quests focus on basic tasks, like gathering or delivering items for these villagers. Unfortunately, these fetch quests can feel repetitive, but the charming characters and witty dialogue keep things engaging.
However, the art style might not appeal to everyone. While the inhabitants of Bywater have distinct personalities, their appearance feels more like exaggerated caricatures of hobbits. The environment also has mixed results. The painted landscapes look lovely from a distance but lack detail up close.
Cooking, Crafting, and Building: Hobbit Life in Action
One highlight is the subtle way the game guides you without overwhelming you with markers. Birds lead you to your objectives, while colorful butterflies help you find valuable resources. This keeps the world immersive and uncluttered, which suits the Shire’s peaceful atmosphere.
Tasks include farming, fishing, and cooking. You’ll gather ingredients from the land, stock your pantry, and cook delicious meals to impress your neighbors. The cooking system is particularly interesting. Recipes and ingredients influence your dish’s quality, texture, and even the outcome of your relationships. The right meal can make fast friends in the Shire.
The building aspect was limited in the preview, but it promises more depth. You’ll gradually unlock new rooms and outdoor spaces to customize your home. Changing flooring and planting gardens gives a taste of what’s to come, but we’ll need to see more to fully judge.
A Promising Concept with Room to Grow
Overall, Tales of the Shire is a wonderful idea. The concept of living a peaceful hobbit life instead of fighting endless battles is refreshing. The game aims to blend cozy gameplay with the charm of Animal Crossing, but it’s not quite there yet.
The character creator feels limited, and the hobbits’ design lacks the charm you’d expect from such a beloved world. While the painted landscapes are beautiful, close-up views reveal some visual shortcomings. However, the game’s core ideas—cooking, building, and forging relationships—have potential.
Weta Workshop made a smart decision to delay the game’s release to March 2025. This extra time could help address some of these early concerns and improve the overall experience. There’s a lot of promise here, but Tales of the Shire needs more refinement before it can truly deliver the dream of living in the Shire.
You can order the game here.
