The Lord of the Rings is filled with memorable characters who have entered the fantasy canon, from the wise wizard Gandalf to the reluctant adventurer Bilbo Baggins and many more. While some of these characters may make an appearance in Tales of the Shire, the upcoming cozy life simulator is likely going to focus on a primarily new cast. However, one thing that would greatly strengthen Tales of the Shire is the inclusion of a loyal constant companion for the player, similar to Frodo’s best friend and determined follower, the iconic Samwise Gamgee.
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Tales of the Shire, Return to Moria Create a Need for One Particular LotR Game
The Lord of the Rings is getting new games left and right, and Tales of the Shire and Return to Moria bring about a need for one other type of game.
Sam Forms The Heart Of The Fellowship Of The Ring
Samwise Gamgee might see himself as nothing more than a simple gardener, but other characters – and fans – know better. His kindness, steadfast nature, and unwavering loyalty have earned him a place in the hearts of many Lord of the Rings readers and watchers over the years. One of the few individuals not tempted by the lure of the One Ring, Sam was a crucial element of the Fellowship’s success. He helped Gollum remember his past as Smeagol, stood at Frodo’s side throughout the journey to Mount Doom, and ultimately led a long and peaceful life in the Shire before joining Frodo in the Undying Lands.
As Tales of the Shire is set between The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, if Sam himself does appear, it will likely be as the hobbit equivalent of a young child or teenager. His father, Hamfast Gamgee, who gardened at Bag End, lived a long life, and became known as the “Gaffer,” is the most likely Gamgee family member to play a role in Tales of the Shire. However, what the game could include is a character who plays Sam’s role in the series as the player’s most stalwart companion.
A Sam-Like Character Could Play A Key Gameplay Role
Tales of the Shire’s developers have confirmed that there will be a lot to do in the cozy hobbit-based game, from gardening and fishing to cooking meals, decorating hobbit holes, and completing requests for friends and neighbors. An in-game equivalent to Samwise Gamgee could serve as a sort of organizational system, helping players manage these requests and remind them of upcoming shared meals, quests that have not yet been completed, or when certain fish and crops are available. This character could also provide tutorials regarding the different game systems as the player settles in to their life in the Shire.
If the character is a gardener like Sam, they could also tend to the player’s crops and garden, particularly once the player has completed the character’s own requests and befriended them. Most likely, this “Sam equivalent” would be an original hobbit created for the game, but, depending on the exact year or years in which Tales of the Shire is set, it is possible that a not-yet-retired Hamfast “Gaffer” Gamgee could take on his son’s role as a close friend to the player character.
Ideally, Tales of the Shire will have a well-populated neighborhood with plenty of Hobbits for players to get to know – and invite over for dinner or perhaps second breakfast, of course. The Shire, as J. R. R. Tolkien initially designed it, is a bustling community filled with friendly neighbors who loved throwing well-attended events – most famously, of course, Bilbo Baggins’ memorable birthday party early in The Fellowship of the Ring. But having one special hobbit who serves as the player’s best friend, and perhaps in-game organizational system, would add even more heart to Tales of the Shire, as well as pay tribute to one of The Lord of the Rings’ best-written and most well-loved characters.
Life Simulation
RPG
Adventure
- Released
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March 25, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Wētā Workshop
- Number of Players
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1