Tales of the Shire

Tales of the Shire is a cozy game bordering on RPG and life simulation, set in the universe of The Lord of the Rings. The game was published by Private Division and was developed by Weta Workshop company, whose achievements include special effects for film trilogies Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit directed by Peter Jackson.

Plot

Tales of the Shire takes us on a journey to the titular Shire, or more precisely - to a town called Bywater, whose inhabitants are working hard to have it included among the villages of Hobbiton. During the game we play the role of one of the hobbits (halflings) and in their skin we lead an idyllic life, taking care of our home and a full stomach, as well as cultivating relationships with other citizens of the Shire.

Mechanics

In Tales of the Shire we watch the action from a third person perspective (TPP). The game allows us not only to decide on the appearance of our hobbit, but also to decorate their house, where we can freely arrange furniture and decorations. Since a happy hobbit is a well-fed hobbit, we also spend time in the Shire taking care of the garden, gathering forest fruits and herbs, or fishing in the ponds. We can use the ingredients obtained in this way in our kitchen and prepare meals based on recipes.

Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying the taste of our dishes alone, a better idea might be to invite other little ones for a shared meal. By establishing relationships with them, as well as performing quests for them and helping them solve their problems, we gain devoted friends, with whom we can also trade. Among other hobbits, we can find both new faces and representatives of families known from the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien's books.

The rhythm of life in Shire is determined by changing weather conditions and seasons. The game world is not limited only to our home and its surroundings. When we feel the call of adventure, we can go on a journey around the area, enjoying picturesque views and discovering secret places and lost treasures. As we progress, we unlock skill upgrades, as well as new clothes, furniture or decorations for our den.

Technical aspects

The graphic design of Tales of the Shire is maintained in a colorful style reminiscent of watercolor paintings.