The Lord of the Rings has dabbled with a plethora of different video game genres over the last few decades, from 1980s point-and-click adventures, to movie tie-in action-adventure games, to large-scale RTS titles, to more recent stealth and survival experiences. And the upcoming Tales of the Shire is set to bring another new genre to the table.
Set for release in March 2025, Tales of the Shire is fully embracing the cozy life-sim genre, putting players in the well-worn boots of a Hobbit who’s been tasked with turning their village of Bywater into a fully-fledged, prosperous town. From the trailers released so far, it seems as though Tales of the Shire is going to offer a colorful, breezy gameplay experience. But there are some Lord of the Rings fans who would prefer a more mature adaptation, and a game focused on the Orcs could deliver just that.
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An Orc-Focused Game Could Deliver a New Type of Lord of the Rings Experience
An Orc-Focused Game Opens The Door to Different Gameplay Genres
As mentioned up top, The Lord of the Rings has already dipped its toes into countless different video game genres over the years. That said, there are still quite a few genres Lord of the Rings is yet to try, and a game focused on the Orcs would open the door to many of them.
The primary force of both Morgoth and Sauron’s dark army, Orcs often appear in overwhelming numbers. This makes them the perfect fit for a few different video game genres. For instance, an Orc-focused Lord of the Rings game could follow in the footsteps of class-based shooters like Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefield, dividing players into the different Orc factions that inhabit Middle-earth, and letting them choose a class that determines their in-game fantasy weapons and abilities.
The action-strategy genre could also be a perfect fit for an Orc-focused Lord of the Rings game. Taking cues from games like Overlord, Mount and Blade, and the more recent Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, an action-strategy Lord of the Rings game could see players assume the role of Morgoth, Sauron, or Saruman as they lead their Orc minions against the armies of men, creating new bases and recruiting more followers during their campaign across Middle-earth.
Orcs Pave the Way for a More Mature Lord of the Rings Video Game Experience
No matter the genre it adopts, an Orc-focused Lord of the Rings game would probably be able to get away with including more mature themes than most of its predecessors due to the Orcs’ inherently brutal nature. The Middle-earth: Shadow series already experimented with an M-rating, and while it wasn’t necessarily a major reason behind the game’s success, it did help it to stand out, with it being one of the few Lord of the Rings adaptations to show uncensored gore.
The desire for another mature Lord of the Rings game has resurfaced in the absence of a third Middle-earth: Shadow entry and an Orc-focused title could fill that void nicely. An M-rated Lord of the Rings game would also give the developers plenty of opportunities to show just how sadistic and violent lore-accurate Orcs would be, which is something that’s often been alluded to, but not shown directly in most adaptations.
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.
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