Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings™ Game
Casual
Indie
RPG
Simulation
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing

Welcome home, Hobbit! Live the cosy life of a Hobbit in the wonderfully serene landscape of the Shire. Discover, decorate, & share in this idyllic corner of Middle-earth. Join friendly Hobbits & familiar faces awaiting your arrival in Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings™ Game.

Developers: Wētā Workshop
Publishers: Private Division
Release Date: Jul 29, 2025
Price (USD): $34.99
Current Players: 1.3k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mostly Positive(79%)
cozy atmosphere
cooking system
art style
home decoration
relaxing
character customization
slow-paced
art style
performance issues
lack of depth
voice acting
inventory management
repetitive
The general sentiment of the reviews is a combination. Players praise the game's cozy atmosphere and its engaging cooking system, enjoying the charm of customizing their own hobbit hole. However, criticisms target its performance issues and lack of depth, with many finding the gameplay repetitive and the world not fully exploiting the rich LOTR lore. There is a sense of disappointment among some players who expected more interaction and liveliness in the game world. Overall, the game appeals to those seeking a low-pressure, relaxing experience, but it may fall short for fans expecting a robust exploration of Middle-earth.

Positive Points

  • Many players appreciate the cozy and relaxing atmosphere of the game, enjoying activities like cooking, fishing, foraging, and decorating their hobbit holes.
  • The art style and environment are praised for capturing the essence of Hobbit life, with its charming and painterly look that feels like a children's storybook.
  • The cooking system is notably detailed and offers enjoyment through preparing meals and hosting dinner parties for other hobbits, making it a favorite feature among players.
  • The game allows for a lot of customization, especially with home decoration, where players can move and personalize elements to make their hobbit hole feel like their own.
  • Negative Points

  • Many players highlighted the game’s performance issues, including low frame rates and stuttering, even on high-end PCs.
  • Critics were disappointed with the lack of voice acting, which made interactions with NPCs feel flat and lacking depth.
  • The gameplay was described as repetitive and lacking in content, with some comparing it to early access due to its simplicity and lack of depth.
  • Inventory management was frustrating for players due to its small size, impacting the experience as a collecting and foraging game.
  • Mixed Points

  • The character customization received mixed feedback; some players appreciated the options available, while others found it lacking in diversity and personalization.
  • While some players enjoyed the simplicity and slow-paced nature of the game, others found it too repetitive and lacking substantial activities beyond the basic loop.
  • The art style is polarizing; some players find it charming and fitting for a cozy game, while others describe it as outdated or not to their taste.
  • Common Themes

  • The game's focus on slow-paced, cozy Hobbit living is both its biggest asset and drawback, depending on the player's expectations.
  • Players were divided on how well the game utilized the Lord of the Rings license, with some appreciating the Shire setting, while others felt it didn’t leverage its potential fully.
  • There is a sense of potential in the game that many players hope the developers will expand upon, whether through patches, updates, or new content.
  • Updated 8/3/2025, 12:01:24 AM UTC