Fans itching to live like a Hobbit will have to wait a little longer for Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game.
The game was originally slated for 2024, but it's now set to release on March 25, 2025. However, the release has been delayed again by Wētā Workshop, who have set a new date for July 29, 2025.
Delays can be frustrating, but Wētā Workshop has made it clear that they don't want to rush Tales of the Shire. They stated that the game "needs a bit more simmering" to meet their high standards and that the extra development time will ensure everything is "just right."
Tales of the Shire isn't your typical Lord of the Rings game, where it's all about epic battles and risky journeys. This life sim is your chance to enjoy the simple, slow-paced Hobbit life. Players get to be a halflings living in the chill village of Bywater.
There's no war or grand journey in sight—only the calm, fulfilling tasks of decorating a Hobbit hole, gardening, fishing, cooking, and socializing with others. The game captures the warmth of Tolkien's world so that it will feel like a true escape to Middle-earth.
Tales of the Shire will be available across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Curiously, even with its release on the Switch, the game won't be available on older systems such as PS4 or Xbox One.
Another change is that Tales of the Shire will no longer be available on Netflix Games. Netflix had initially planned to include the game, but it was pulled due to a shift in its gaming strategy.
Like a true Hobbit, perhaps it's best to settle in with a hearty meal, a comfy chair, and a bit of patience.