Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game invites players into a gentle and peaceful slice of Tolkien’s world. Instead of battles and quests for power, this life simulation game focuses on the simple pleasures of Hobbit life in the idyllic region known as the Shire. Developed by Wētā Workshop and published by Private Division, the title blends familiar elements from The Lord of The Rings universe with daily activities like gardening, fishing, cooking, crafting and building friendships with other Hobbits. The game launched on July 29, 2025, on multiple platforms including PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and has quickly become a talking point for fans of cozy, casual simulation games.
In Tales of the Shire, you create your own Hobbit and settle in the village of Bywater, where your character’s day-to-day journey is shaped by chores, exploration and community building. The game leans into the charm and calm that many players associate with Hobbit life. There’s no combat, no epic wars to fight and no dark lords to confront. Instead, you spend your time tending crops, interacting with residents of the Shire, expanding your home and mastering the culinary arts of Middle-earth. This focus on everyday life sets Tales of the Shire apart from most franchise entries, giving you a chance to soak up the lore without the stress of high-intensity gameplay.
One of the game’s standout features is the grid-free decorating system. Unlike many simulation titles that lock you into arranging objects on a grid, Tales of the Shire lets you place furniture, tools, trinkets and decorations freely in your Hobbit hole just as you might imagine in Bag End, the iconic home of Bilbo Baggins. This clutter-core style gives players creative freedom and helps the in-game homes feel truly lived-in rather than perfectly arranged boxes.
Here’s the official system information for PC players. The game’s hardware needs are surprisingly manageable for a modern 3D title, especially considering its detailed world and smooth animations.
Minimum Requirements
OS: Windows 10 / Window 11 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-7600K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
Memory: 16GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770, 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 270X, 4GB or Intel Arc A580, 8GB
Storage : 3GB Available Space
Additional Notes: 1080p Very Low @ 30 FPS
Recommended Requirements
OS: Windows 10 / Window 11 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i5-10600 or AMD Ryzen 5 8400F
Memory: 16GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti, 8GB or AMD Radeon RX 6750 XT, 12GB
Storage : 3GB Available Space
Additional Notes: 1080p High @ 60 FPS
The minimum system requirements for Tales of the Shire ensure the game runs at 1080p with 30 FPS, while the recommended specs target a smoother 1080p at 60 FPS. Despite its cozy game aesthetic, the game’s storage requirement is impressively low at 3 GB, indicating strong optimization for a wide range of systems. However, the 16 GB RAM requirement is notably higher than many comparable cozy games like Stardew Valley, which has raised some concerns. No performance details have been provided for higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K, or for refresh rates above 60 FPS, potentially disappointing players with high-end setups. These steeper-than-expected requirements, particularly for RAM and GPU, have sparked discussions, as they may limit accessibility for players with lower-end PCs compared to other life sims with simpler visuals.
These specs show that while the game doesn’t need a cutting-edge rig, it does ask for a solid mid-range GPU and a decent amount of RAM to run smoothly at higher settings. The storage space requirement is small compared to many modern games, making it easy to fit on most systems.
Afaq is the author and driving force behind GAMING BENCH, a technology and gaming focused platform dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and up to date coverage of the gaming world. With a strong interest in PC hardware, gaming performance, and industry trends, Afaq focuses on creating clear, well researched content that helps readers understand the latest gaming news, benchmarks, and technology developments. Through GAMING BENCH, the goal is to provide reliable information, honest analysis, and practical insights for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and professionals who want to stay informed in a fast moving digital landscape.
