The most shocking thing about Tales of the Shire is that it somehow never existed before. The aesthetics of life in JRR Tolkein's Shire are a perfect match for the vibes of cozy gaming – you know, up until the point where The Lord of the Rings actually happens. After a short hands-on spin with Tales of the Shire during Summer Game Fest, I came away pleasantly surprised. This isn't just a Stardew Valley reskin with a licensed gimmick, it's a game that smartly builds on both the cozy genre and the Middle-earth setting to create something uniquely compelling.
It's got everything you could want from a cozy game, from planting and watering a garden to befriending local townsfolk. There's a fishing minigame, and cooking, and options to decorate your home. There's a colorful patch of countryside to explore with plants to forage and a town full of shops and people to meet. It absolutely ticks the genre boxes.
