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Tales of the Shire is a released Hobbit life sim set in Bywater, where you decorate a home, tend a garden, cook, explore and help a community grow. It launched on July 29, 2025, for PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its appeal is the chance to spend unhurried time in an officially licensed Tolkien setting; whether its routine-based activities are enough depends on how much variety and momentum you want from a cozy game.
What do you do in Tales of the Shire?
Wētā Workshop describes the game as a cozy life sim: you create a Hobbit and settle in Bywater, with the goal of helping the community grow toward official village status. The loop centers on making a home and daily life in the Shire rather than on action-driven quests.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings™ Game - Nintendo Switch | $34.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game | $55.21 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Yoshi's Crafted World - Nintendo Switch | $52.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Kirby Star Allies - Nintendo Switch | $52.89 | Buy on Amazon |
- Make a home: Customize your Hobbit and decorate your house, with placement the developer describes as grid-free.
- Gather and grow: Tend a garden, fish and forage. The Steam listing also describes seasonal crops, changing weather and exploration.
- Cook and connect: Prepare food, share meals, trade with neighbors and build relationships.
- Take on community activities: Steam describes club missions as part of the game.
These are feature descriptions from Wētā Workshop and the Steam storefront, not a guarantee that every activity has the depth or variety a particular player wants.
Is it an official Lord of the Rings game?
Yes. Take-Two Interactive says Middle-earth Enterprises licensed the literary works of The Lord of the Rings and provided creative license for the game. Wētā Workshop Game Studio developed it; Fictions, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive, publishes it. That official connection makes this more than a life sim borrowing a vaguely Tolkien-like atmosphere, though the premise focuses on Hobbit life in Bywater rather than on a retelling of the central adventure.
#1 Best Overall
- Welcome Home, Hobbit – Decorate your own Hobbit-home and transform this cosy space with grid-free placement to position furniture and home décor to your liking. Discover the wonders each new day brings to Bywater as you settle into your serene home for much needed rest
- Food Is Love – No Hobbit’s day is complete without food. Fish, garden, and forage to stock up the pantry with the fruits of your labour. Harvest seasonal crops and flowers as time passes in your home. Enjoy the warmth of the kitchen and show off your culinary skills with recipes for mealtimes. Partake in second breakfast or host a dinner party with fellow Hobbits. Share meals with invited guests to create new relationships.
- Explore Bywater – Explore the outdoors to discover secret glades and lost treasures of the Shire. Experience the ever-changing weather that affects daily routines and discover seasonal surprises based on the time of year. Gain rewards through your story progression. Meet iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families to trade for upgrades to skills, clothes, home, and more. Join club missions to complete daily activities and help gain official village status in Bywater
- Bonus Items - Includes a beautiful 20”x16” fold-out map for the quaint village of Bywater and an official game soundtrack download code.
- Languages - English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (LATAM), Turkish, and Traditional Chinese
Where can you play it?
Wētā Workshop’s current launch listing names PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Its earlier 2024 announcement also named Netflix Games, but that platform is absent from the current launch list, so check current availability directly if you are considering it. The game launched July 29, 2025; the March 25, 2025 date in the earlier announcement was a planned date that was superseded.
Who is likely to enjoy it—and who might want more?
The clearest fit is a player who wants a gentle Tolkien setting and likes repeating cozy-game routines: gathering ingredients, cooking, tending a garden and making a home feel personal. The small-scale community goal gives those activities a shared purpose, while the setting offers time in Middle-earth away from its usual battles and high-stakes quests.
Rank #2
- Set in the peaceful village of Bywater, near Hobbiton, players create and personalize their own Hobbit character, engaging in activities such as cooking, fishing, foraging, gardening, and home decorating. The game features a grid-free decorating system, allowing for creative freedom in designing your Hobbit home. With a focus on relaxation and community building, players can build relationships with fellow Hobbits and contribute to the growth of Bywater. The game is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, offering a tranquil experience without combat or major conflicts.
Reviews suggest the activity range and pacing are worth considering before buying. PC Gamer praised the cooking and foraging but noted limited activity variety and that the game is single-player. TechRadar was more critical of its pacing, plotlines and character depth. Those are reviewer judgments, not a promise that every player will have the same response. If you want substantial mechanical variety, a strong narrative drive or multiplayer, those points matter more than the cozy label; if atmosphere and domestic routines are the draw, the premise is more directly aimed at you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which version should you look for?
Choose the edition for a platform you already own: the current developer listing supports PC through Steam, Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The game itself is the direct product match if you are searching for Tales of the Shire. Regional store availability, physical-edition status and current prices are not established here, so verify those details with the retailer before purchase.
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Rank #4
- Use friend hearts to charm enemies and they'll fight alongside you! drop-in/drop-out co-op: up to three other players can take control of Kirby's new friends
- Play through the entire game with up to four players or with CPU friends Kirby and his friends have fresh moves thanks to new and expanded Copy abilities
- Combine abilities with elements such as wind and water to create new friend abilities some bosses and enemies are weak to certain elemental attacks, so remember to Strategize
- Battery: no battery used;Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence
Rank #3
- Explore each stage and then find even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side
- Overcome varied enemies and obstacles, like Zombie Guys, Skelesaurus, Ukiki, and Monty Mole as you seek out hidden collectables; ESRB Content: Mild Cartoon Violence; Genre: Action, Platformer
- Pass a Joy Con controller to a friend for 2 player cooperative exploration
- Clad Yoshi in collectable, protective, handicraft costumes as he makes his way through each stage
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
