The highly anticipated Lord of the Rings game, Tales of the Shire, promises a delightful Hobbit life simulation experience. Here's an update on its release date and what to expect.

Release Date Update:

Initially slated for a 2024 release, Tales of the Shire has experienced a couple of delays. The current release date is July 29, 2025. This delay, according to developer Wētā Workshop, allows for comprehensive fine-tuning across all platforms to ensure a consistent and polished experience for players regardless of their gaming system. This contrasts with the staggered release of The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, which faced challenges due to late-stage console port announcements. Wētā and Private Division planned Tales of the Shire as a cross-platform title from the outset, mitigating similar risks.

Gameplay Details:

Tales of the Shire offers extensive customization options, allowing players to personalize their Hobbit appearance and decorate their homes using a flexible, grid-free placement system for furniture and décor. Farming, cooking, and hosting dinner parties are key gameplay elements. Exploration is also a significant feature, incorporating a trading system with interactions involving iconic characters and familiar Hobbit families.

Platform Availability:

Tales of the Shire will launch simultaneously on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows on July 29, 2025.

This article was updated on 02/25/25 to reflect the latest release date information.