Summary
AfterReturn to MoriatookLord of the Ringsto the survival crafting genre,Tales of the Shireis set to once again deliver a new type of Middle-earth game. This time, that will come in the form of a Hobbit-focused cozy sim, which sounds extremely promising. The concept will not only let players experience Tolkein’s world through a new lens, but will also let them further explore just what it means to be a Hobbit. On top of that,Tales of the Shiremay have another exciting opportunity when it comes to love.
As of now,Lord of the Ringshas not really dabbled with romance much. While there have been romantic relationships throughout the series, they have never been the focus. But,Tales of the Shirecould change all of that as it will betaking the series to the cozy sim genre, which is often known for having more in-depth relationship mechanics. If done well, that could lead to something wholly unique for this iconic fantasy franchise when it comes to video games, though it may also feel a bit out of place.
Tales of the Shire Could Be Middle-earth’s Chance at Love
Tales of the Shire Feels Tailor-made for Romance Mechanics
One of the core features of any cozy sim game is the relationship-building that players must do as they progress.Animal Crossing: New Horizonssees them grow closer to their animal villagers,Stardew Valleylets them get marriedand start families,The Simsis all about creating those relationships, and evenDisney Dreamlight Valleylets them bond with iconic Disney characters. No matter the game’s theme, some type of relationship mechanic tends to be included. As of now, there is seemingly no reasonTales of the Shirewill be different.
There is a strong chanceTales of the Shirefeatures some type of friendship mechanic, but it should not stop there. Players should be able to actually experience whatliving as a Hobbit is like, so they need to be able to actually forge romantic relationships with other villagers. Additionally, those relationships could be made even stronger if they resulted in actual families. Couple that with the cute nature of Hobbit culture, and it could lead to something truly special forLord of the Ringsfans to enjoy.
Middle-earth Has Never Been Known for Having a Romantic Side
At the same time, romantic relationships inTales of the Shiremay feel a bit out of place. For the most part,theLord of the Ringsserieshas never focused too much on the romantic side of its world. Obviously, characters have formed romantic relationships and even built families, but none of those stories spend too much time in the spotlight, with the focus often being on the One Ring or the fight against darkness. So, while there is no reason that it has to be the case for every project, romance may also be a step too far for some.
AlthoughLord of the Ringshas never let romance be the main focus of its stories, there have been a few notable romantic relationships throughout the franchise that have had a lasting impact, like Aragorn and Arwen, Sam and Rosie, and Durin and Disa, among others.
Tales of the Shireis already a major change for Middle-earth, as it has never really had a cozy sim set within its world before. In the past,Lord of the Ringsvideo gameshave either been action-adventure or RTS titles, with the occasional unique title thrown into the mix. That makes this new game stand out immensely, which means it may already have a bit of a hard time convincing fans to make the jump over. If it made romance a central feature, that may put off some die-hard fans completely.
Still, if given the chance,Tales of the Shirecould do a lot of interesting things with romance, and the cozy genre is a much better fit for it than an action game likeMiddle-Earth: Shadow of War. Ultimately, it is up to Weta Workshop if it wants to take the risk of adding romance, as there are surely fans who will be for and against its inclusion.
