Summary
Tales of the Shireis an exciting new adventure set in the world of the iconicLord of the Ringsfranchise. When it comes toLord of the Rings, most games based on the franchise focus on the battle for Middle-earth, butTales of the Shirefocuses on the cozier aspects of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world as players get to take on the role of a Hobbit.
AlthoughTales of the Shirepromises some comfy-looking life simulation gameplay, it’s not an easy time to be an upcomingLord of the Ringsgame. AftertheGollumgame was hailed as one of last year’s biggest flopsandReturn to Moriawas met with mixed reviews,Tales of the Shirehas a lot of expectations riding on its shoulders. This low bar could be a blessing forTales of the Shire, but the game is also playing it smart by not revealing its release date just yet.
Tales of the Shire’s Release Date is a Mystery
So far, all that is known aboutTales of the Shire’s release date is that it is scheduled for launch sometime later this year. The first reveal trailer for the game showcased some exciting potential, but one of the biggest concerns surroundingTales of the Shireis regarding the game’s overall visuals.Tales of the Shireboasts great features, but the visuals indicate that the game may need a little bit more time in the oven.
Tales of the Shire’s Visuals Leave Much to be Desired
Tales of the Shireappears to feature an art aesthetic that is incredibly common within the cozy life simulation genre. FromStardew ValleytoAnimal Crossing, many games in this genre tend to have a simplistic, yet adorable, art style.Tales of the Shiredefinitely leans into this, but there is also an unfinished quality to the game’s appearance that is hard to ignore. Thecuteness ofTales of the Shirecan’t be denied, but neither can the strange lighting and sometimes muddy visuals that can make it difficult to decipher where objects begin and end.
Thanks to its gameplay,Tales of the Shireis already being compared toStardew Valleyand other games in the genre, but the artwork and aesthetic stand on their own. Such a unique art style deserves to feel fully baked, and this is one of the main reasons whyTales of the Shire’s secretive release date is a good thing—not having a set release date allows the game’s developers time to fine-tune the game’s visuals, so it can look its absolute best when the game finally launches.
Tales of the Shire Shouldn’t Rush Things
It is exciting to imagine all the cozy and wonderful things players will be able to do inthe Hobbit town of BywateronceTales of the Shireis ready, but Weta Workshop should try hard to avoid rushing the game. Weta Workshop is renowned for its work on theLord of the Ringstrilogy, making the game that much more exciting.
Despite Weta Workshop being partially responsible for bringingtheLord of the Ringstrilogyto life with Peter Jackson’s history-making films, this is the first time the studio has attempted to develop a video game, and it needs to be handled with as much care and patience as possible. The most recentLord of the Ringsvideo games have been rather disappointing, and it would be a shame to seeTales of the Shiremeet the same fate.
