Tales of the Shire Waiting Room Playlist

Tales of the Shire is just on the horizon, and for those who are eager to finally get a taste of life as a Hobbit, the wait is quickly coming to an end. After being delayed, Tales of the Shire has now locked in a fresh release date for July. Over the years, The Lord of the Rings franchise has offered a variety of game adaptations, but Tales of the Shire shakes things up by going for a cozier experience.

Turning Hobbit life into a cozy life sim feels like a no-brainer, which makes it such an intriguing title for a lot of The Lord of the Rings fans who are also fond of this particular game genre. While parts of The Lord of the Rings definitely have cozy aspects, most games based on the works of Tolkien are centered more around the fight against Sauron. This time around, though, Tales of the Shire brings a change that could prove to be a breath of fresh air for the franchise's gaming ventures, and there are plenty of great titles for gamers to try out while the wait continues.

Tales of the Shire Isn't the Only Type of Hobbit Game That's Begging to Happen

Tales of the Shire shows the cozier side of Middle-earth, but a story that explores the sneakier side of Hobbits could also work.

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By LB Beistad

Games to Play While Waiting For Tales of the Shire

Stardew Valley

This is the essential farm life sim. WIth its charming aesthetic and hours upon hours of content, Stardew Valley has become the blueprint for other games in the genre. In the nine years since its launch, Stardew Valley has amassed a loyal following of both hardcore gamers and newcomers alike, proving the game's draw. Whether one is interested in living life as a farmer or is more intrigued by building relationships with townsfolk, Stardew Valley makes that possible. It's highly likely that Tales of the Shire's developer, Weta Workshop, was heavily influenced by the game.

Stardew Valley's solo developer, Eric Barone, is currently developing a spiritual successor, Haunted Chocolatier.

The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria

Since this is technically more of a survival base-building game, it's a little more involved than cozy life sims, but in terms of a survival experience, it's quite laid-back. The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria is another unique take on the franchise's formula. Players take on the role of a Dwarf as they work to rebuild their home within the Misty Mountains. While Return to Moria may have launched to mixed reviews, the game has resonated with a lot of The Lord of the Rings fans, especially on Steam.

Palia

This free-to-play title is a great option for those in search of a more fantasy-focused life sim. With its vibrant world, crafting mechanics, and exploration, Palia could serve as a great appetizer for Tales of the Shire. Learning about Palia's world by uncovering lore and interacting with a variety of villagers makes it a strong fit for a Lord of the Rings lover.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The most recent entry in the long-running Nintendo exclusive, Animal Crossing is also a staple franchise in the life sim genre. Animal Crossing: New Horizons covers all the expected life sim features like crafting, house customization, farming, resource collecting, and socializing with the town's many unique Villagers.

As of now, Nintendo has yet to reveal a Switch 2 port for Animal Crossing: New Horizons or a brand-new entry in the series.

The Lord of the Rings Online

Another free-to-play option, The Lord of the Rings Online has been going strong since 2007. This MMORPG has been praised by players for its approach to role-playing and storytelling, making it an adaptation that does The Lord of the Rings justice. Depending on one's preference, players can easily make the game a relaxing experience. It may not be the most graphically impressive game around, but it does a great job at capturing the spirit of Tolkien's iconic world.

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