Wētā Workshop and Private Division revealed over the weekend that their life simulator based on The Lord of the Rings universe — the Hobbits community to be precise — will release for PS5 on 25th March 2025. Tales of the Shire looks to replicate the life of a Hobbit before it had to worry about Sauron, with all the usual hallmarks of the life sim genre part of the experience. You can check out a full 18-minute showcase of the game above, featuring in-depth looks at gameplay.
Tales of the Shire is a PS5 title we were able to go hands on with at Summer Game Fest a few months back, where it demoed as "a life sim game in a similar camp to the likes of Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley", except with "a real emphasis here on keeping things simple and stress-free". Working around a day/night cycle, you'll apparently never feel rushed to get everything done while the sun's up.
"Our time with Tales of the Shire was short, but its charming presentation and relaxed gameplay promises a very chilled out experience. We're curious to see how the game holds up over the course of a full playthrough, because it seems relatively simplistic, even if that is by design," we concluded. "Whatever the case, fans of Tolkien's work, or those who want to lose themselves in a cosy world, will surely find a lot to like here."
Will you swap your real life for a Hobbit in late March 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 13
Im a sucker for chilled out games and anything Tolkien, so its an almost guaranteed sale to me!
A PS2 looking game for 'the modern audience'. One to avoid.
Really hope the rumours of Warhorse doing a LOTR game next are true. A good one would be nice.
@Titntin I'm right with you on that
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Im not sold on the artstyle unfortunatly. Ill lookout for reviews though.
@Medic_alert Return to Moria is getting better with every update. I was kinda sceptical about the whole idea of survival in Moria, but it turned out fun, easy to go and yet challenging in the right ways. Also playing with friends (full cross-play between all systems) adds even more awesome moments and joy.
Damn that looks horrible, something along PS2 graphics. Maybe targeted at children?
Still kinda weird to see who gets the LOTR licence these days.
Very colorful set of hobits too Oo
again I must say that given this is coming to switch I don't see why this is skipping PS4. Not that big a deal, I like the look of it gameplay wise but I've got loads to play already but any game getting switch ports should be coming to PS4 as well imo.
The whole new gen/old gen thing just doesn't wash with me anymore. Diminishing returns means there are plenty of people like me in no rush to "upgrade". I've been playing games since the NES and I just don't value graphics anymore, in my mid thirties now and I don't like photo realism in games and the pursuit of it.
Anyway whatever, kinda went on a tangent there lol
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Wow, another farming sim games for my PS5 machine.
I will wait for the physical release.
@Starkei my 11 year old stepdaughter loves LOTR and animal crossing, so she’s well hyped for this. There’s your modern audience. I reckon it looks pretty good if you’re after something to chill with.
Can i just be bilbo baggins and sell that fire shire weed all day?
Could be fun but geez those graphics
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