Tales of the Shire is set to bring a fun dose of coziness to the summer gaming calendar, as first-time developer Weta Workshop gives gamers a taste of Hobbit life. The Lord of the Rings franchise is usually focused around the more harrowing events that take place in Middle-earth, but Tales of the Shire is pumping the brakes on all the action.
This is a bold risk on Weta Workshop's part, but it's also quite intriguing. A slow-paced, relaxation-focused take on The Lord of the Rings could be the perfect change of pace for the series, but there's another way this can be done, too. For those wanting a blend of slow pace, darker themes, and more intense moments, a stealth game centered around an adventurous Hobbit could do just the trick.
Tales of the Shire Has Everything Needed to Recreate One Magical Animal Crossing Event
Tales of the Shire is about to enter the cozy life sim space, and taking note of one Animal Crossing feature could work wonders.
The Lord of the Rings Should Get a Second Chance at a Hobbit Stealth Game
The Infamous Launch of Gollum
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was launched in 2023.
- The stealth-focused platformer released to abysmal reviews.
The idea behind the Gollum game was compelling, but the execution was way off. Gollum seems like the perfect character from The Lord of the Rings to center a stealth story around, but the game ultimately missed the mark. Despite its failure, a stealth-centric game that follows a Hobbit could hold a lot of potential. Whether it be through a completely new character, Bilbo, or Frodo, there is still room for a game based on The Lord of the Rings to play around with a story more focused on sneaking around.
Tales of the Shire is set to launch on July 29, 2025.
Bilbo's Knack for Stealth Sets the Story of The Hobbit Into Motion
In The Hobbit, Bilbo is recommended to Thorin specifically because of his ability to be a sneaky asset. In Unfinished Tales, Tolkien gives insight into how Gandalf came to choose Bilbo, stating to Thorin, "Hobbits move without effort more quietly than any Dwarf in the world could manage, though his life depended on it. They are, I suppose, the most soft-footed of all mortal kinds." When it comes to sneaking past the dangers of Middle-earth, Hobbits are simply the best creatures for the job, just as they are the perfect choice for an easy-going game.
Bilbo may be a Hobbit, but he's far more drawn to a life of adventure compared to his neighbors, and it could set the stage for an incredibly fun story based around the character. The Hobbit book and film adaptations are great, but getting a game version of the story's events could offer a fresh take on his journey.
Tales of the Shire will be available on the Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Hobbits move without effort more quietly than any Dwarf in the world could manage, though his life depended on it. They are, I suppose, the most soft-footed of all mortal kinds.
Tales of the Shire May Influence Future Lord of the Rings Games
Right now, a lot of fans of The Lord of the Rings are eager to find out if Tales of the Shire proves to be a hit or a miss. It's been a difficult few years for The Lord of the Rings game adaptations, so it would be great to have a strong win. Of course, the wait must continue, but once Tales of the Shire drops this summer, players will finally get to see what the game has in store.
If successful, it will be interesting to see if Tales of the Shire influences the franchise's future game adaptations. It would be exciting to finally return to the more action-packed side of Middle-earth, but until then, Tales of the Shire could kickstart a more relaxing period for the beloved fantasy series.
- Released
- July 29, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop
- Publisher(s)
- Private Division
- Franchise
- The Lord of the Rings
- Number of Players
- 1
