After spending hours working in the fields of Hobbiton, I began to understand why two generations of Bagginses felt the urge to leave in search of adventure. Sure, the Shire has its cozy charm, with plenty of good food and friendly faces. But once the initial sweetness fades, this peaceful countryside starts to feel rather dull.
Tales of the Shire is set in Middle-earth’s Third Age, long before The Lord of the Rings. There are no Ringwraiths or Uruk-hai here—instead, the “action” revolves around the quiet town of Bywater, where the biggest concern is gaining official village status. You play as a newcomer from Bree, helping the town grow by building infrastructure and befriending locals through odd jobs and shared meals.
The game is packed with Tolkien’s familiar touches. You’ll find landmarks like the Three-Farthing Stone and visit the cozy Green Dragon Inn. Familiar hobbit surnames—Tooks, Cottons, Brandybucks—pop up everywhere, and even Gandalf makes occasional appearances. The art style is warm and whimsical, with small details like laundry fluttering in the breeze, lanterns glowing at dusk, and wildlife wandering about. Though the map isn’t huge, it’s lovingly crafted.
As a young hobbit, your main goal is simple: eat and be fed. Daily life revolves around gathering food—foraging for vegetables, nuts, and fruits, or fishing in the rivers. You can also plant seasonal crops and buy specialty ingredients like flour from local shops. Each day runs on a timer, so the challenge lies in efficiently gathering supplies before bedtime.
The gameplay loop will feel familiar to fans of Stardew Valley or Harvest Moon. The relaxed pace and simple tasks make it more of a soothing experience than a demanding one.
If you stick with it, building relationships unlocks new skills and opportunities. Cooking plays a big role—you’ll prepare meals for Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, and beyond. The cooking system blends elements of Cooking Mama and Breath of the Wild, requiring you to balance flavors and textures for the perfect dish. As you impress the right people, your kitchen expands, opening up more culinary possibilities.
But beyond its cozy mechanics, Tales of the Shire suffers from being too safe and predictable. Conflicts between characters are resolved quickly and mundanely, and much of your time is spent running errands for grumbling hobbits with minor complaints.
Not every cozy game needs deep drama, but it feels like a missed opportunity not to explore the richer, more nuanced aspects of Tolkien’s world—especially when humor, tragedy, and intricate social dynamics are such key parts of the source material.Tolkien’s writing shines because of its rich textures. But in Tales of the Shire, the charming setting is buried under repetitive fetch quests that lack emotional depth. Hardcore Tolkien fans and Stardew Valley enthusiasts might want to seek their cozy fix elsewhere. Tales of the Shire is available now for £34.99.
