Cozy games have carved out quite the niche for themselves, and on April 22, fans of The Sims and Stardew Valley will get to hear all about a new one.
Though it's been around for at least a few decades, the cozy video game genre has hit a new golden age of late, and it's all thanks to games like The Sims and Stardew Valley. While cozy games can come in many different shapes and sizes, some of the most frequent features in the genre are the ability to heavily customize the player's in-game living space, complete an ever-growing checklist of repetitive yet relaxing tasks, and use a set of life-simulation mechanics to control a character's needs and desires.
Over the last few years, the cozy game genre has seen an influx of new entries, many of which are unafraid to wear their influences on their sleeve. From farming simulators to town management games to tycoon titles, the cozy genre is flooded with a variety of different experiences, and on April 22, 2024, fans of the genre are going to find out a bit more about one promising new entry: Tales of the Shire.
First announced back in September 2023, Tales of the Shire is an upcoming game that puts a cozy spin on Lord of the Rings' world of Middle-Earth. Normally portrayed as a world on the brink of falling to the powers of evil, it'll be nice to see Tales of the Shire really hone in on the beloved franchise's more peaceful and serene locations, and there's nowhere better suited to a cozy Lord of the Rings game than the Hobbits' hometown of The Shire.
Currently, fans know very little about Tales of the Shire. The only official description of the game promises a "cosy Hobbit life," and a "heart-warming" take on the Lord of the Rings universe. As far as gameplay details go, developers Private Division and Wētā Workshop haven't revealed anything just yet, but that's all about to change, as they've just announced that Tales of the Shire is getting its first full trailer on April 22 2024.
Tales of the Shire is likely just one of the first in an upcoming wave of Lord of the Rings games, with Embracer Group stating last June that it plans on "exploiting Lord of the Rings in a very significant fashion."
Though it's uncertain what this new Tales of the Shire trailer is going to reveal, it seems likely that it'll offer a general overview of the game's narrative and setting, along with a few brief glimpses of gameplay, and a big focus on the game's cozy atmosphere and vibrant art style. With Tales of the Shire currently set for a 2024 release, there's also a real possibility that a concrete release date is presented at the end of the trailer.
While Tales of the Shire hasn't confirmed any gameplay or narrative features so far, it seems very likely that the game will follow in the footsteps of games like The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing, with all three being incredibly influential releases that can be found in the DNA of pretty much any cozy game of the last decade or so. If this is true, then fans can probably expect a big focus on farming, customization, and life-simulation in Tales of the Shire, though fans will have to wait until April 22 to see for certain what type of game Tales of the Shire really is.
Tales of the Shire is set for a 2024 release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The main series games let players build a home, create a handful of characters, and then guide them through their relationships, careers, and goals.
Though it's been around for at least a few decades, the cozy video game genre has hit a new golden age of late, and it's all thanks to games like The Sims and Stardew Valley. While cozy games can come in many different shapes and sizes, some of the most frequent features in the genre are the ability to heavily customize the player's in-game living space, complete an ever-growing checklist of repetitive yet relaxing tasks, and use a set of life-simulation mechanics to control a character's needs and desires.
Over the last few years, the cozy game genre has seen an influx of new entries, many of which are unafraid to wear their influences on their sleeve. From farming simulators to town management games to tycoon titles, the cozy genre is flooded with a variety of different experiences, and on April 22, 2024, fans of the genre are going to find out a bit more about one promising new entry: Tales of the Shire.
The Lord of the Rings Is About to Get Its Own Cozy Game
Tales of the Shire Will Debut its Trailer on April 22 2024
First announced back in September 2023, Tales of the Shire is an upcoming game that puts a cozy spin on Lord of the Rings' world of Middle-Earth. Normally portrayed as a world on the brink of falling to the powers of evil, it'll be nice to see Tales of the Shire really hone in on the beloved franchise's more peaceful and serene locations, and there's nowhere better suited to a cozy Lord of the Rings game than the Hobbits' hometown of The Shire.
Currently, fans know very little about Tales of the Shire. The only official description of the game promises a "cosy Hobbit life," and a "heart-warming" take on the Lord of the Rings universe. As far as gameplay details go, developers Private Division and Wētā Workshop haven't revealed anything just yet, but that's all about to change, as they've just announced that Tales of the Shire is getting its first full trailer on April 22 2024.
Tales of the Shire is likely just one of the first in an upcoming wave of Lord of the Rings games, with Embracer Group stating last June that it plans on "exploiting Lord of the Rings in a very significant fashion."
Though it's uncertain what this new Tales of the Shire trailer is going to reveal, it seems likely that it'll offer a general overview of the game's narrative and setting, along with a few brief glimpses of gameplay, and a big focus on the game's cozy atmosphere and vibrant art style. With Tales of the Shire currently set for a 2024 release, there's also a real possibility that a concrete release date is presented at the end of the trailer.
While Tales of the Shire hasn't confirmed any gameplay or narrative features so far, it seems very likely that the game will follow in the footsteps of games like The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing, with all three being incredibly influential releases that can be found in the DNA of pretty much any cozy game of the last decade or so. If this is true, then fans can probably expect a big focus on farming, customization, and life-simulation in Tales of the Shire, though fans will have to wait until April 22 to see for certain what type of game Tales of the Shire really is.
Tales of the Shire is set for a 2024 release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The Sims
EA's life simulation franchise The Sims began in the year 2000 with a game of the same name that was, at one point, the highest-selling PC game of all time.The main series games let players build a home, create a handful of characters, and then guide them through their relationships, careers, and goals.
