Tuesday morning, I’m sitting at my computer with a proper brew, waiting for 5 pm to roll around. Why? Because yesterday was July 29th, and Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game was released at 9 AM PT/12 PM ET on July 29, 2025. I’d been tracking this game for months, checking Steam every few days like some sort of hobbit-obsessed lunatic.
My mate Chris thinks I’ve gone mental. “You’re excited about… gardening?” he asked when I showed him the trailer last month. But here’s the thing: after twenty-odd years of gaming, sometimes you just want to bake virtual pies instead of shooting things.
Well, I’ve spent the last three days living as a hobbit. And bloody hell, it’s everything I hoped it would be.
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Tales of the Shire dropped with mixed reviews, which honestly doesn’t surprise me. Mixed (257) – 67% of the 257 user reviews for this game are positive on Steam, but I reckon that’s because people don’t know what they’re getting into.
This isn’t Skyrim with hobbits. It’s not even close. The first thing that hits you is how proper and peaceful everything is. No quest markers screaming at you. No urgent missions. Just a gentle introduction to hobbit life in Bywater.
You start by customising your hobbit. And when I say customising, I mean everything. Hairstyles, clothing, even the amount of hair on your feet. My nephew would lose his mind over this character creator.
Right, let’s talk about the farming system. I’ve played Stardew Valley. I’ve mucked about with Animal Crossing. But this feels different somehow. Maybe it’s because the vegetables actually look like something you’d want to eat, or maybe it’s the way your hobbit gets genuinely excited about a good turnip harvest.
The farming isn’t just about making money either. You’re growing stuff to cook with, to share with neighbours, and to enter in local competitions. It feels proper organic, if you’ll pardon the pun.
My virtual garden is coming along nicely. Got some carrots that would make my nan proud, and my potato patch is looking decent. The seasonal changes actually matter too, as you can’t just plant whatever whenever.
This is where Tales of the shire goes from good to brilliant. The cooking system is mental in the best way possible. You don’t just click a button and get food. You actually have to prepare ingredients, follow recipes, and time things properly.
I spent two hours yesterday trying to perfect seed cake. Two hours! And I loved every minute of it. When I finally got it right and saw my hobbit’s face light up, I felt genuinely chuffed.
The best bit? You can invite neighbours round for dinner parties. Proper ones where you plan the menu, set the table, and actually chat with your guests. When was the last time any game let you do that?
The social system is where this game shows its heart. You’re not saving anyone or solving major problems. You’re just being a good neighbour. Bringing round a pie when someone’s feeling poorly. Helping with garden work. Having a proper natter over afternoon tea.
I’ve become proper invested in the local drama. Mrs Bracegirdle’s roses aren’t doing well, and young Peregrin Took keeps getting into mischief. It’s like following a soap opera, except I actually care about these people.
The dialogue system lets you respond naturally to conversations. No weird moral choices or complex relationship trees. Just normal chat between friends.
Let’s be honest; the game’s got issues. I’ve had a few crashes, and sometimes the fishing mechanics go a bit wonky. Tales of the Shire offers a niche, yet lovely, experience if you can get past the bugs, and that’s spot on.
The progression can feel slow too. Not slow in a relaxing way, but slow in an “Am I actually achieving anything?” way. Some quests verge on repetitious, and the story is woefully light on depth.
Looking at the reviews, I get why some people are disappointed. If you’re expecting epic Lord of the Rings adventures, you’ll be let down. This is Animal Crossing meets Middle-earth, not Skyrim with hobbits.
But for what it is? It’s lovely. Tales of the Shire is a genuinely exceptional game. It is a cosy Hobbit life sim with unique characters, a quaint art style and gameplay mechanics that feel engaging, fun and sometimes surprisingly intricate.
We live in mental times. Everything’s fast, competitive, and stressful. Social media’s doing our heads in, work never stops, and the news is proper depressing. Sometimes you need something that forces you to slow down.
That’s what this game does. It won’t let you rush through content. You have to wait for crops to grow. Recipes take time to prepare properly. Friendships develop gradually through regular interaction.
My girlfriend, who usually takes the mickey out of my gaming habits, actually sat down and watched me play for an hour yesterday. “It’s quite relaxing, isn’t it?” she said. High praise from someone who thinks most games are noise and nonsense.
If you’re after action, adventure, or complex gameplay mechanics, give this a miss. But if you want to switch off from the world for a few hours and live a simple life in Middle-earth, Tales of the Shire delivers exactly what it promises.
Yes, it’s got bugs. Yes, it could use more content. But it’s also the most relaxing gaming experience I’ve had in years. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
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