A LotR Horror Game: The Ideal Counterbalance to Tales of the Shire’s Tranquility

The Lord of the Rings franchise is truly remarkable for the variety of themes and genres it explores. It all started in 1937 with The Hobbit, a children’s book that, while containing some darker elements, mainly offers a lighthearted adventure. In contrast, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a profound epic that delves into deep themes such as religion, mortality, power, and corruption.

Recently, the video game adaptations of The Lord of the Rings have begun to reflect this diversity found in the original series. Monolith’s Middle-earth: Shadow series brought a mature action-adventure experience, while Return to Moria explored survival and crafting. Meanwhile, the not-so-well-received Gollum game took a stealth approach. The upcoming Tales of the Shire promises to be a cozy life simulation. There’s still a multitude of unexplored themes and genres within the Lord of the Rings universe, and a horror game could be an intriguing counterpart to the relaxing vibe of Tales of the Shire.

A Lord of the Rings Horror Game Could Balance Tales of the Shire’s Coziness

Tales of the Shire Is a Cozy Game Through and Through

Everything we’ve seen about Tales of the Shire so far screams cozy. The game, set in the Lord of the Rings universe, emphasizes the laid-back, comforting every day of a Hobbit in the Shire. The cozy aesthetic is unmistakable, evident in its palette of lush greens, earthy browns, and vibrant splashes of pinks, yellows, and reds that highlight Hobbit life’s bright, colorful, and soothing elements, all wrapped in a simplistic, watercolor-like art style.

In terms of activities, Tales of the Shire borrows from other cozy life-sims, letting players indulge in gardening, crop harvesting, fishing, meal preparation, and serving dishes to other Hobbit neighbors, all to elevate their social standing in Bywater village. Players also have the leisure to decorate their homes. This depiction of Middle-earth underscores the peaceful way of life that Frodo and the Fellowship battle to protect.

A Horror Lord of the Rings Game Could Show The Other Side of the Coin

On the flip side, Middle-earth’s world isn’t just about serene landscapes and cheerful Hobbits. A considerable part of the novels and films dives into the terrifying and malevolent forces of Sauron, threatening to cast a shadow over Middle-earth if the heroes falter. These darker segments touch on fantasy horror, a genre ripe for video game exploration.

A potential horror game could turn things on their head, taking a more successful approach than what 2023’s Gollum attempted. Imagine a stealth game where you control a character escaping from orc captivity—this time from a first-person view. Players would be face-to-face with the menacing Uruks, navigating tense scenarios in dimly-lit caves and foreboding fortresses, providing a horror experience that captures the perilous side of the Lord of the Rings universe.

From the creative minds at Wētā Workshop, Tales of the Shire invites players to live a Hobbit’s cozy life in the peaceful expanse of the Shire. Players can create and customize their Hobbit character, engage in a variety of soothing activities like gardening, fishing, and foraging, and help their community flourish. Whether decorating a personal Hobbit hole or strengthening bonds with neighbors through shared meals, the game promises an idyllic escape, celebrating the simple joys of life in Middle-earth.

Set for release across multiple platforms on March 25, 2025, Tales of the Shire offers fans of life-simulation games a chance to immerse themselves in the charming world Tolkien crafted.