Tales of the Shire's Premise Permits It To Go Full Animal Crossing on Bywater

Tales of the Shire is now poised to finally release in early 2025 and, from what can be ascertained via previews, has a lot going for it. For the game to really hit the nail on the head, though, Tales of the Shire needs to stick by its cozy premise.

A cozy sim game set within the Lord of the Rings‘ Shire is arguably a masterstroke of an idea. There’s a reason why the film set for Hobbiton, rebuilt for The Hobbit film trilogy, remains today as a tourist destination; the Shire is a blend of idealized countryside living and pastoral fantasy. It’s an idyllic locale where simple folk live in harmony with nature—their houses embedded into the hills. Though beautiful and innocent, the Shire has enough rowdy pubgoers, nosy neighbors, and hard country labor to avoid the pastel trappings of other cottage-core settings, granting it just enough grounding to invite comparisons to real places in the world.

Tales Of The Shire’s Bywater Needs To Be Less Stardew Valley, More Animal Crossing

However, the Shire is set in the wider world of Lord of the Rings, and there could be some temptation there for Weta Workshop to explore more dramatic material in Tales of the Shire. From the footage available, it’s clear that the game is set ways off from the Shire’s scouring (an event at the end of the book trilogy where the Shire is partially destroyed). On the other hand, Gandalf is confirmed to be in the game, playing an introductory role in the opening. Though this is nothing unexpected, Weta should be wary of straying from the cozy veneer presented thus far.

Tales Of The Shire Should Let Players Relax

Tales of the Shire‘s cozy aspects have been put front-and-center in marketing in previews, with the game sporting a picturesque, storybook art style and plenty of menial, cutesy tasks. This is ideal for the Shire, as the location is embodied by its isolation; it’s an escape from the complications of the bigger world. It’s that innocence that first motivates Frodo to take up his quest, and its beauty reminds readers and watchers that this world is worth fighting for.

Therefore, it’d be a shame for Tales of the Shire to delve into the grandiose. Though combat works for a game like Stardew Valley, there should be no possibility for subversion in Tales of the Shire; the innocent bliss of the Shire makes it more suited to the lack of plot enjoyed by Animal Crossing. That’s not to say that Stardew Valley isn’t open-ended itself, but even its fast-moving calendar could be too much pressure for the meandering hills of Bywater.

Though few expect its Shire to be attacked as it was in Return of the King, Tales of the Shire could still dive too greedily into Tolkien’s wider canon. Given what happened with The Hobbit film trilogy, which saw a simple children’s storybook transformed into a huge epic, there’s still a chance that Weta runs a similar path here. Gandalf has already shown up in previews, but further references to elves, dwarves, and even orcs or Sauron himself could mess with the tone and the scope—especially for a location unaware of the outside world’s goings-on.

Tales Of The Shire Should Emphasize The Friendliness Of Hobbits

Tales of the Shire‘s cutesy marketing is a good sign, as this is the tone the game would be best suited for. The title shouldn’t completely sand down the Shire (some NPCs should be in the vein of the pesky Sackville-Bagginses), but its cozy premise should emphasize the friendlier aspects of the Shire. Not only would this lend well to the fantasy many prospective players would be looking for, but it would aid the overall tone and gameplay loop.

From the creative studio, Wētā Workshop, live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, and share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits and familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game.

Create your own Hobbit as you set forth in Bywater. Though not yet established as an official village in Hobbiton, play a part in helping the quaint town flourish. Greet comfort at the door as you decorate your own Hobbit hole, tend to your garden, fish at the clear ponds, forage wild fruits and herbs, or trade with townsfolks. Prepare homemade meals to share with fellow Hobbits and foster relationships.

With much to see and lots more to eat, enjoy days of splendor in the picturesque forests, lakes, and pastures.

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Unwind in the place where what matters most are all the little things. Help bring the community together to achieve village status in Bywater. Experience delight in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game.

Released

2024

Developer(s)

Wētā Workshop

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