As a cozy take on The Lord of the Rings franchise, Tales of the Shire has a treasure trove of content and lore to work with. Foregoing the usual battle against evil that the franchise usually dwells on, Tales of the Shire seeks to showcase a softer side of Middle-Earth. Putting players into the shoes, or feet, of Hobbits is the perfect setting for a cozy life sim, as the creatures love everything about relaxation.
With its central location being the town of Bywater, getting the chance to live the everyday life of a Hobbit has been an exciting prospect for many Lord of the Rings fans who prefer a more relaxing gaming experience. Taking on such a beloved series is no easy feat, but with developer Weta Workshop being partially responsible for bringing Peter Jackson’s films to life, Tales of the Shire could nail its portrayal. Of course, with a franchise as well-known as The Lord of the Rings, cameos from fan-favorite characters are to be expected. Frodo and Bilbo Baggins seem to be the most obvious appearances, but there is also another way for the game to give a nod to the Baggins bloodline.
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Tales of the Shire Can Showcase the Baggins Family in an Unexpected Way
Frodo and Bilbo’s Presence in the Game is a Mystery
As of now, there has yet to be any official confirmation from Weta Workshop that Frodo or Bilbo will get a cameo moment. Although leaving them out would be surprising, it’s completely possible that Tales of the Shire foregoes some of the more obvious appearances in order to hide fun Easter eggs throughout the game instead. The possible absence of Frodo and Bilbo would be a disappointing decision, but the Baggins family tree is broad, and plenty of canon relatives could get the spotlight as an homage to these two characters.
Potential Baggins Relatives That Could Be Used in Place For Frodo and Bilbo
- Merry Brandybuck
- Peregrin “Pippin” Took
- Otho Sackville-Baggins
- Lobelia Sackville-Baggins
- Odo Proudfoot
Merry and Pippin are the most notable possibilities. As members of the Fellowship, many know that Merry and Pippin are incredibly close to Frodo, but it can often be forgotten that they are also his distant cousins. Hobbit life may be simple and folksy, but their lineage can be quite complicated. J.R.R. Tolkien took an impressive amount of time thinking of Frodo’s family tree, and it eventually leads to the beloved duo of Merry and Pippin.
Tales of the Shire
is scheduled for release on March 25, 2025.
The lesser-known relatives of Otho and Lobelia Sackville-Baggins and Odo Proudfoot would present a fun way to represent the Baggins family. Although their presence in the films is incredibly brief, eagle-eyed fans may appreciate seeing deep-cut characters being represented throughout the Shire. In The Hobbit, Bilbo is constantly pestered by Otho and Lobelia, which can make them fun NPCs who are always bothering others. Additionally, Odo could rant about how he prefers his lineage to be referred to as “Proudfeet” instead of “Proudfoots.”
Tales of the Shire Hopefully Brings Some of Lord of the Ring’s Biggest Characters Into the Spotlight
Even if brief, getting to see Frodo or Bilbo in Tales of the Shire would be the best way to showcase the Baggins family. It’s going to be difficult enough for the game to perfectly capture Hobbit life, but bringing Frodo and Bilbo into the mix, even if for a moment, could help make the Shire feel complete.
Tales of the Shire
‘s March 25 launch is the same date Frodo throws the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom.
At the moment, there’s no telling which characters from The Lord of the Rings will show up in Tales of the Shire. If Frodo or Bilbo don’t get their own special cameo, there is at least a long line of Baggins relatives that Weta Workshop can choose from.
- Released
- 2024
- Developer(s)
- Wētā Workshop