If you’ve been desperate for a new Lord of the Rings game, March was set to deliver the goods with Tales of the Shire – even if the life sim genre feels like an unusual one for the franchise to dip into. Unfortunately, I’ve got some disappointing news for you – the game has been delayed by around four months to ensure that “every detail will be just right” at launch.
It’s safe to say that since Monolith’s brilliant Middle-earth games of the mid-2010s, the slate of Lord of the Rings games that followed have ranged from strange to downright disastrous. There was of course the shambles that was Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and even though it was fairly well-received, survival game Return to Moria felt like an odd choice for fans that wanted big, compelling new LotR adventures. Next up for PC players is Tales of the Shire, which again takes Lord of the Rings in an unexpected direction – a life game in the style of titles like Stardew Valley, Lightyear Frontier, or Dreamlight Valley.
In Tales of the Shire, you’re a Hobbit looking to help the town of Bywater flourish and grow. Alongside meeting some notable Hobbits from Lord of the Rings lore, you’ll be making upgrades and decorating your quaint home, growing produce in your garden, fishing, foraging, cooking and hosting feasts, and exploring the lands surrounding Bywater. With weather effects that change with the seasons, certain tasks may become more easy or difficult to complete, and certain produce may thrive or wither.
When it comes to systems and mechanics, there isn’t much here we haven’t seen before in its genre rivals, but as long as they are well executed, there should be plenty of fun to be had here. Despite its relaxing nature, this does still look to be well-entrenched in the world of Lord of the Rings too, which franchise fans (especially those that love all things Hobbit) will appreciate.
However, while the Tales of the Shire release date was initially set for March 25, developer Wētā Workshop has now revealed that it needs more time to get the game out the door.
“We’re taking a little longer to ensure that every Hobbit, on every platform, can enjoy the same cosy experience,” its announcement post reads. The studio also promises: “From foot-hair styles to the fluffiest cakes, every detail will be just right.”
The new Tales of the Shire release date is now Tuesday, July 29. This represents a delay of roughly four months. The game will be launching on Steam for PC players alongside PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles.
For some similar experiences that can help fill the longer wait, check out our lists of the best farming games and the best games like Stardew Valley.
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