As speculation about Tales of the Shire continues, there are many questions surrounding just how far the game will explore Middle Earth past the titular Shire. Since Tales of the Shire is all about the cozy life simulation experience, there likely won't be much room for a lot of classic themes from The Lord of the Rings franchise to be featured.
It's been a rough few years when it comes to games based on The Lord of the Rings, with Return to Moria being lackluster and Gollum being one of 2023's most notorious releases. This is what makes Tales of the Shire so compelling, because it's completely focused on Hobbits and their relaxing lifestyle. Since the game is in the cozy genre, Tales of the Shire will likely have many features that have become synonymous with low-risk life sim games. However, when it comes to the inclusion of pets, Tales of the Shire has a tough decision to make with Middle-earth's creatures.
The Creatures of Middle-earth Aren't Known for Being Cozy
Lord of the Rings Lacks Cute and Cuddly Fantasy Animals
For the most part, a lot of the creatures and animals showcased throughout The Lord of the Rings are either epic, majestic beings or fearsome monsters. From the friendly, like the Great Eagles, to the harrowing, like Wargs or the Balrog, many of the creatures in the lore are massive. This doesn't exactly meet the criteria for a cozy setting. Since the point of Tales of the Shire is supposed to be a relaxing way to enjoy a portion of Middle-earth, this doesn't leave a lot of options for in-game pets.
Many cozy games feature various pets to choose from. Stardew Valley's offering of pets has set a fun standard for other games in the genre when it comes to animals, and it would be surprising if Tales of the Shire decided to forego the feature. It's an endearing aspect of cozy games, but it doesn't seem likely that the likes of Shelob or Trolls will be available as pets. Not only would that be terrifying, it wouldn't make any sense for a cozy setting.
One of the most obvious options for in-game pets would be horses. Horses are a major help throughout The Lord of the Rings, and it only makes sense for them to be prevalent in the game's quaint village of Bywater. Since the more exotic creatures in the franchise's lore seem to be of the hulking variety, it's likely that Tales of the Shire will focus on keeping its potential pets simple. It's not too far-fetched to picture life as a Hobbit including the basic household pets, like dogs and cats, and this seems like the most logical route to take. There is also plenty of room to include common farm animals and birds.
Tales of the Shire Living Up To Expectations
There are some high expectations for features in Tales of the Shire. Thanks to the likes of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, there is now a specific standard set for games in the cozy genre. Special events, seasons, plenty of cooking recipes, and a large variety of customization are just a few of the many things lovers of the genre will be expecting, and Tales of the Shire will hopefully offer plenty of these features while adding its own unique twist that keeps it grounded in The Lord of the Rings lore.
Having an adorable pet to keep one company while playing the game is just an extra cherry on top of the relaxing atmosphere, so there will hopefully at least be a few options for animal companions. As of now, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding Tales of the Shire, and once the game finally launches, it will hopefully hold up to other titles in the genre.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game
- Released
- July 29, 2025
