Tales of the Shireis set to deliver a completely new kind of experience in Middle-Earth, and it’s finally received an official release date in honor of Hobbit Day. While most video games based on the world ofThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbitfeature some variety of battlefield action,Tales of the Shireis going for the cozy life simulation market instead. Set in the idyllic village of Bywater, the gameplay loop focuses on tasks like gardening, talking to neighbors, and decorating a hole in the ground for a Hobbit to live in.
As revealed in the Hobbit Day Showcase byTales of the Shiredeveloper Weta Workshop and publisher Private Division,Tales of the Shirewill launch on August 11, 2025. Following a previous delay that moved the game out of a planned release in 2024, this fits nicely into the early 2025 window that was subsequently promised. At launch,the game will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and the Netflix Games platform.
Tales Of The Shire’s Release Continues LOTR’s Comeback
Hopefully This One Will Be A Hit
Tales of the Shirefollows a recent surge ofLord of the Ringsgames that broke a bit of a dry spell for the franchise. 2023 saw the release of both the disastrousThe Lord of the Rings: Gollumand the moredecentReturn to Moria, which focused respectively on survival and stealth. Each title has come courtesy of a different developer, so it’s hard to carry any particular set of expectations forward into theTales of the Shirerelease.
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Review - Not So Precious
The Lord of the Rings: Gollum has the titular character roaming Middle-earth, but its oddly inventive premise is bogged down by technical issues.
At any rate,Tales of the Shirehas all the necessary ingredients to appeal to cozy game fans. Few settings have anywhere near thesame charms as the Shire, and even a chunky, cartoonish take on hobbit homes makes interior decoration uniquely appealing. The zero-stakes approach that defines many games in the genre can be a bit divisive, but escapist fluff isn’t necessarily any further from Tolkien’s vision than games about daredevil orc-slaying are.
Although the initial delay might have been disappointing, it’s good that Weta Workshop is giving the time it needs, and having a solid release date is reassuring. The confirmed release calendar of 2025 games is largely empty at the moment, with mostgames opting for vague windows, soTales of the Shireis also getting the jump on many competitors by locking in a launch.
More material showcasingTales of the Shireis sure to come in the months leading up to its release, so those still on the fence have plenty of time to make a decision.Tales of the Shirewon’t arrive until around the start of spring, which might just be the perfect time to begin a life in Bywater.
