Tales of the Shire is a cozy village sim where you can’t run, but you can skip

Tales of the Shire is a cozy village simulation game set between the events of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, offering a gentler, low-stakes gameplay experience. Players settle into the village of Bywater, helping villagers achieve their tasks and dreams through activities like fishing, farming, and cooking. The game features a simple home decoration system and a navigation method involving bluebirds.

The game’s mechanics include familiar elements from other village sims, such as tracking rewards and helping neighbors with their projects. A key activity involves crafting meals to forge relationships with villagers, which opens up more quests and potent recipes. Although not groundbreaking, the game aims to provide a relaxing experience with whimsical references to Tolkien's universe.

Tales of the Shire is designed to be intentionally slow-paced and forgiving, allowing players to take their time with tasks. Time in the game passes slowly, and players can walk or skip through the village while completing various cozy errands. Expected to attract fans of games like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, Tales of the Shire will be released later this year for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.