Tales of the Shire is set to bring a cozy take on The Lord of the Rings to fans this summer, allowing players to build their very own Hobbit life. Between cooking, fishing, and enjoying parties and feasts with fellow Hobbits, Tales of the Shire promises a charming change of pace from the usual Lord of the Rings formula.
Instead of worrying about the threats of Sauron, Tales of the Shire puts relaxation front and center. The life sim promises a lot of the usual staples that are expected in the genre, like home customization, but by adding a fun Hobbit-inspired twist. Developed by first-time game designers Weta Workshop, the special effects studio that helped bring the Peter Jackson films to life, Tales of the Shire could be an exciting new way to experience the iconic fantasy franchise. However, there is one other race that could prove to be just as cozy: Elves.
Tales of the Shire Shouldn't Miss a Huge Opportunity Soon After It Launches
Tales of the Shire, a forthcoming Lord of the Rings game, could extend its reach by appearing at a much-anticipated upcoming event.
The Lord of the Rings' Elves Are Another Perfect Option For a Relaxing Life Sim
Building a Life in Lothlorien
- The realm is ruled by Galadriel and Celeborn.
- Lothlorien is a woodland realm where Elves inhabit ornate treehouses.
Lothlorien is a beautiful and peaceful place where Elves live in harmony within the forests. The area is located near the bottom of the Misty Mountains, and it could be just as cozy as Tales of the Shire's Hobbit-based approach. Elves may not boast the same cozy lifestyle choices that Hobbits embrace, but the peaceful and stoic nature of the race could be the perfect recipe for some serious gaming relaxation.
Tales of the Shire's release date has been pushed back to July 29, 2025.
One of the biggest draws of Tales of the Shire is its customizable Hobbit holes. These charming dwellings are the very definition of cozy, but the prospect of bringing this concept to treehouses could be even cozier. A Lord of the Rings game that gives players the freedom to build their own Elvish society up in the dense trees of the forest might be a game design dream. From the artwork to customization options, a cozy life sim that revolves around Lothlorien's Elvish inhabitants and their love of treehouses might be a match made in heaven. Traditionally, the Elves of The Lord of the Rings may be seen as more regal than cozy, but their living quarters beg to differ.
The Journey Doesn't Have to Stop at Lothlorien
- Rivendell
- Mirkwood
In addition to Lothlorien, there could also be other Elven realms that players could choose to build up a unique community. The architecture and aesthetic of all the Elvish societies featured in The Lord of the Rings franchise is iconic, and having three locations to choose from might be a good way to offer even more compared to Tales of the Shire's more static setting. In Lord of the Rings lore, there are different clans and races of Elves, and getting to explore each of them and their homelands could be far more dynamic.
Tales of the Shire will be available on the Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Tales of the Shire Needs to End The Lord of the Rings' Bad Gaming Streak
The last two Lord of the Rings games to be released were Gollum and Return to Moria back in 2023. While the latter was far better than the former, neither game attracted huge audiences. Tales of the Shire will hopefully get The Lord of the Rings out of its gaming slump, but it remains to be seen if the cozy life sim will strike a chord with its intended audience.
Tales of the Shire is an interesting concept, and Weta Workshop being responsible for its crafting is a promising sign that the game will accurately capture Hobbit life. However, the lives of the Elves could be just as compelling, if not more.
- Released
- July 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
