Tales of the Shireis set to bring a cozy take onThe Lord of the Ringsto 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 Shirepromises a charming change of pace from the usualLord of the Ringsformula.
Instead of worrying aboutthe threats of Sauron,Tales of the Shireputs 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 Shirecould 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.
The Lord of the Rings' Elves Are Another Perfect Option For a Relaxing Life Sim
Building a Life in Lothlorien
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 asTales 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 June 10, 2025.
One of the biggest draws ofTales of the Shireis 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. ALord of the Ringsgame 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 aroundLothlorien’s Elvish inhabitantsand their love of treehouses might be a match made in heaven. Traditionally, the Elves ofThe Lord of the Ringsmay be seen as more regal than cozy, but their living quarters beg to differ.
The Journey Doesn’t Have to Stop at Lothlorien
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 inThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise is iconic, and having three locations to choose from might be a good way to offer even more compared toTales of the Shire’s more static setting. InLord of the Ringslore,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 Shirewill be available on the Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The last twoLord of the Ringsgamesto be released wereGollumandReturn to Moriaback in 2023. While the latter was far better than the former, neither game attracted huge audiences.Tales of the Shirewill hopefully getThe Lord of the Ringsout 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 Shireis an interesting concept, and Weta Workshop being responsible for its crafting is a promising sign that the game willaccurately capture Hobbit life. However, the lives of the Elves could be just as compelling, if not more.
