Tales of the Shireis just around the corner, as first-time game developer Weta Workshop aims to bringThe Lord of the Ringsinto the cozy life sim genre. A cozy-focused game is a big change for J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy series, butTales of the Shirepromises a fun and stress-free dive into Hobbit life.
Hobbits are the best possible race inThe Lord of the Ringsto center a cozy game around, and with the title’s release date drawing closer, it will be exciting for many fans of both the franchise and the genre to jump into life in the Shire.Tales of the Shirehas a lot of competitionin its respective genre.Stardew ValleyandAnimal Crossinghave ruled the cozy world for a long time now, butTales of the Shirecould really shake things up. Fellow cozy titles are bound to influenceTales of the Shire, and when it comes to celebrating New Year’s Eve,Animal Crossingcould serve as a great template.
Animal Crossing’s New Year’s Eve Traditions Are a Perfect Fit For Tales of the Shire
A Legacy of Fireworks Celebrations
Over the years,Animal Crossingentries have featured New Year’s Eve celebrations that culminate in a fireworks show that lasts for a couple of hours. This tradition offersAnimal Crossingfansan exciting in-game way to celebrate the arrival of a fresh year. If there’s any other cozy title that would be a perfect stage to host such a celebration, it would beTales of the Shire.
Developer Weta Workshop is the visual effects studio that helped bring Peter Jackson’s films to life. While this is the company’s first game, it’s a promising sign that the studio shares such a strong connection to the franchise.
The Lord of the Rings is No Stranger to Fireworks Displays
This moment fromFellowship of the Ringconfirms that Hobbits love a good party. If Weta Workshop wanted to really lean into the fictional community’s love for gathering and celebrating, then including a New Year’s Eve event feels like a no-brainer.Bilbo’s birthday party is an iconic moment, and the dragon firework is bound to be merely the tip of the iceberg.
Weta Workshop has the opportunity to really set itself apart in the genre by going all out for a New Year’s Eve fireworks show. Of course, this modern version of the holiday isn’t exactly canon toThe Lord of the Ringslore, but it could be a great in-game experience, especially if developers realize the potential of what kinds of fireworks could be showcased. Dragons, trolls, and the Great Eagles would all be fun nods to the greater lore of the series.
Stardew ValleyandAnimal Crossinghave ruled the cozy world for a long time now, butTales of the Shirecould really shake things up.
The Wait For Tales of the Shire is Finally Almost Over
Tales of the Shirehopefully won’t face another delay. Now that the game is set to be part of the summer calendar,Lord of the Ringsfansmay findTales of the Shirea great way to escape from the heat of the season.
Hobbit life and the cozy genre seem like a perfect pairing, and once the game finally launches, it will be exciting to see howTales of the Shirecompares to other similar games. There are bound to be funseasonal events inTales of the Shire, and a strong and inventive New Year’s Eve celebration will hopefully be included.
