Tales of the Shireis just on the horizon, and for those who are eager to finally get a taste of life as a Hobbit, the wait is quickly coming to an end. After being delayed,Tales of the Shirehas now locked in a fresh release date for July. Over the years,The Lord of the Ringsfranchise has offered a variety of game adaptations, butTales of the Shireshakes things up by going for a cozier experience.
Turning Hobbit life into a cozy life simfeels like a no-brainer, which makes it such an intriguing title for a lot ofThe Lord of the Ringsfans who are also fond of this particular game genre. While parts ofThe Lord of the Ringsdefinitely have cozy aspects, most games based on the works of Tolkien are centered more around the fight against Sauron. This time around, though,Tales of the Shirebrings a change that could prove to be a breath of fresh air for the franchise’s gaming ventures, and there are plenty of great titles for gamers to try out while the wait continues.
Games to Play While Waiting For Tales of the Shire
Stardew Valley
This is the essential farm life sim. WIth its charming aesthetic and hours upon hours of content,Stardew Valleyhas become the blueprint for other games in the genre. In the nine years since its launch,Stardew Valleyhas amassed a loyal followingof both hardcore gamers and newcomers alike, proving the game’s draw. Whether one is interested in living life as a farmer or is more intrigued by building relationships with townsfolk,Stardew Valleymakes that possible. It’s highly likely thatTales of the Shire’s developer, Weta Workshop, was heavily influenced by the game.
Stardew Valley’s solo developer, Eric Barone, is currently developing a spiritual successor,Haunted Chocolatier.
The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
Since this is technically more of a survival base-building game, it’s a little more involved than cozy life sims, but in terms of a survival experience, it’s quite laid-back.The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moriais another unique take on the franchise’s formula.Players take on the role of a Dwarfas they work to rebuild their home within the Misty Mountains. WhileReturn to Moriamay have launched to mixed reviews, the game has resonated with a lot ofThe Lord of the Ringsfans, especially on Steam.
Palia
This free-to-play title is a great option for those in search of a more fantasy-focused life sim. With its vibrant world, crafting mechanics, and exploration,Paliacould serve as a great appetizer forTales of the Shire.Learning aboutPalia’s worldby uncovering lore and interacting with a variety of villagers makes it a strong fit for aLord of the Ringslover.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The most recent entry in the long-running Nintendo exclusive,Animal Crossingis also a staple franchise in the life sim genre.Animal Crossing: New Horizonscovers all the expected life sim features like crafting, house customization, farming, resource collecting, and socializing withthe town’s many unique Villagers.
As of now, Nintendo has yet to reveal a Switch 2 port forAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsor a brand-new entry in the series.
The Lord of the Rings Online
Another free-to-play option,The Lord of the Rings Onlinehas been going strong since 2007. This MMORPG has been praised by players for its approach to role-playing and storytelling, making itan adaptation that doesThe Lord of the Ringsjustice. Depending on one’s preference, players can easily make the game a relaxing experience. It may not be the most graphically impressive game around, but it does a great job at capturing the spirit of Tolkien’s iconic world.
