Tales of the Shire is proving to be quite a complex game, despite its simplified and eye-candy-like design. From gathering ingredients, to tending the garden, every day is a little adventure. And for those stepping into Bywater for the first time, there are some things to keep in mind to have a nice and relaxed experience.
Tales of the Shire Details Shared Meals and Relationship Progression
Tales of the Shire's creative director details the game's relationship-building system and how shared meals work as the title's release date nears.
This guide will help new players get the hang of the game mechanics, with information on some of the unwritten rules of the game, things to consider before losing themselves for hours in the forest, and how to treat their neighbors to establish long-lasting friendships.
Order Your Daily Routine
Seize The Day, But Don't Forget To Sleep
The day has four basic stages: morning, midday, evening, and night. Morning is the ideal time to gather resources, forage, and complete Tales. Midday is reserved for Shared Meals, and evening is a good moment to tend the garden or send invitations to the neighbors.
Players should use the nighttime to rest; otherwise, they risk oversleeping, and in some cases, that can lead to missing a Meal appointment (or other important event), which will lower their fellowship.
Check Your Mail Every Day
It's The Fastest Way To Unlock New Tales
Every day, Orlo will deliver the mail to the Hobbit's home first time in the morning, and checking it often will allow players to unlock new Tales (Quests) since their neighbors will often ask them for help with things like finding a missing cow, solving the mysterious disappearance of crops, or aiding someone with ingredients for a meal.
Tales of the Shire is a peaceful, cozy game, so players should expect to receive mail asking for assistance with the typical Hobbit's lifestyle issues, and not things like hunting down orcs and fending off warg attacks. Bywater's newcomer will be showered with a myriad of tasks that will aid players in adapting to their new way of life and add a lot of spice to their everyday activities.
Don't Miss A Chance To Invite Neighbors To A Shared Meal
Building People's Trust Can Lead To Discovering Tons Of New Things
One of the main activities in Tales of the Shire consists of exploring, gathering ingredients, and cooking Meals to invite the neighbors and have some pleasant time around eating yummy treats. Sharing a meal will increase the popularity of the new Hobbit in town, garnering them the affection of every member of the community and unlocking new customizations for their Hobbit-hole, new recipes, and attire.
Of course, this implies that players need to gather ingredients, collecting them from the Forest and the surrounding fields. They also need to keep a close eye on their garden, since it's the main source of some of the most exclusive ingredients they need to cook meals.
Check Every Hobbit's Preferences And Daily Routines
Each Of Your Neighbors Has Their Personalities And Tastes
Not every Hobbit in Bywater enjoys the same type of meal, and players need to be careful with this, since one of the best ways to earn more reputation with the rest of the Hobbits, is to check their meal preferences and prepare their favorite dishes.
Tales of the Shire: How to Cook
Cooking is a key skill in Tales of the Shire, and you will want to learn the ins and outs of how to make every dish as perfectly as possible.
It is also important to check their daily routines, to know when is the best time to prepare a meal, or the ideal place to gather and share a picnic. As players progress with the Main Tale (or Main Quest), they will unlock new recipes, new places to gather and share a meal, and other important mechanics to increase their status in Bywater.
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game
- Released
- July 29, 2025
