Summary
Tales of the Shirehas been one of the most exciting announcements of the year so far. Revealed back in April, Weta Workshop’s first foray into video games is a cozy life simulation title that brings daily Hobbit life into the spotlight.Tales of the Shireis anticipated to be filled with plenty of staple cozy genre mechanics and features, but also plenty of references to J.R.R. Tolkien’s immensely successful franchise.
Since the game’s announcement, there has been a lot of speculation aboutwhatTales of the Shirewill hold, especially when it comes to book and film references. Hobbit life is all about eating, drinking, and being merry, so there are bound to be plenty of mini-games and activities focused on cooking and parties. It’s unknown if Frodo and his group of friends will make an appearance in the game, but a special moment in the movies could look to Pippin for mini-game inspiration.
Pippin’s Big Moment in Return of the King Could Set the Stage For a Rhythm Game
An Iconic Scene Could Inspire Tales of the Shire
The Lord of the Ringstrilogy is filled with meaningful and emotional moments, but one of the most memorable comes fromPippin inReturn of the King. While in Minas Tirith, Denethor asks Pippin to sing a song for him as Faramir is about to charge into battle. A somber Pippin obliges and begins to sing “Edge of Night,” a heartbreaking ballad that has gone down as one of the most poignant moments in the film trilogy.
Although the moment itself is sad and touching, this could also be the perfect way forTales of the Shireto pay homage to the movieswhile still staying true to showcasing a Hobbit’s many pastimes. Since Hobbits love to throw parties with feasts, there is bound to be plenty of singing at these events. When at a party inTales of the Shire, players can jump in with a song that triggers a rhythm-based mini-game.
Of course, these songs wouldn’t be nearly as heartbreaking as Pippin’s ballad in Denethor’s hall. Based on early previews, it looks likeTales of the Shirewants to have fun with these concepts, and a rhythm mini-game that introduced a fun variety of Hobbit drinking songs would fit right in with that goal.
Diving Deeper Into the Life of Hobbits
There have been somesneak peeks atTales of the Shire, but the game still largely remains a mystery when it comes to its contents. Thanks to the vast world that J.R.R. Tolkin was able to craft, there is a lot of source material to look at for inspiration, but developer Weta Workshop also has a lot of freedom with how it approaches Hobbit society. There hasn’t been a deep dive like this done before with the Hobbits. The films and books have starred Hobbits as the main protagonists of the stories, but there has yet to be a story focused solely around Hobbits living their day-to-day lives in peace and harmony.
It’s a compelling change of pace for a franchise that is always focused on some huge existential threat, and it will be fascinating to see how Weta Workshop pulls it off as a first-time game developer. Although someLord of the Ringsfans may be missing the tension and fight for good,Tales of the Shireusing Hobbitsas a cozy life simulator subject is a perfect match. Cooking, drinking, festivals, and singing songs with friends are all essential to how Hobbits spend their time, and an emphasis on songs showcased through mini-games could really bring something special to the table.
