Summary
Tales of the Shireis the next cozy life farm sim for fans of the genre to keep an eye on, especially for fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Rings.Set in theLord of the Ringsvillage of Bywater, Weta Workshop’sTales of the Shiresees players stepping into the bare feet of a Hobbit for casual and creative gameplay that seems very similar to Nintendo’sAnimal Crossingseries. In fact,Tales of the Shirelooks so much likeAnimal Crossingthat many on the internet have been facetiously referring to it as “Shire Crossing.”
Nintendo’s massively popularAnimal Crossingseries has been around for over two decades, so it’s only natural that something resembling it as closely asTales of the Shirewould be mocked for imitating it. Despite any attempt to shed a bad light onTales of the Shire, however, it has been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery. If it turns out thatTales of the Shirereally is just aLord of the Ringsversion ofAnimal Crossing, that may not be such a bad thing, especially considering how successful Nintendo’s cozy sim series is.
Tales of the Shire Should Embrace Its Similarities to Animal Crossing
Animal Crossing Is Popular for a Reason
In a world full of games with demanding mechanics and intricate systems to get used to,Animal Crossingstands out. This is primarily on account of it being a thoroughly relaxing experience by and large, appealing to those who want to sink time into a game, but also wish to be free to come and go as they please.Animal Crossingis a series that frees gamers from any sense of obligation and essentially hands over almost complete liberty to play the way they want to play.
Player freedom is precisely why the latest installment,Animal Crossing: New Horizons, rose to such immense popularity, as it was released in March 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was asked to stay indoors to slow the spread of the virus.
To this day, theAnimal Crossingseriesremains a standard for cozy gameplay, and that’s whyTales of the Shireshould readily embrace that influence, despite any criticism it may garner on account of its imitation. In order to fully embrace itsAnimal Crossingroots,Tales of the Shirewill need to consider adopting those features that makeAnimal Crossingsuch a gratifying experience for those who play it.
Tales of the Shire Should Adopt Animal Crossing’s Best Features
TheAnimal Crossingfranchiseis known for its cozy gameplay, but several distinct features make this possible — features thatTales of the Shireshould include as well. Firstly, it would do well forTales of the Shireto be hugely accessible, as this is one ofAnimal Crossing’s most praised characteristics. IfTales of the Shireis bogged down with too many convoluted mechanics, it could drive valuable audiences away. It can accomplish this by emphasizing relaxing gameplay as opposed to tasking players with fulfilling tedious responsibilities. Secondly,Tales of the Shireneeds plenty of the creativity and flexibility that theAnimal Crossinggames are known for. Limiting this in any way could ultimately put a damper on the whole experience and turn off the cozy gaming enthusiasts who will likely be drawn to it.
AnotherAnimal Crossingfeature thatTales of the Shireshould consider adopting is its emphasis on social interaction.TheAnimal Crossingseries' multiplayer componentsallow players to interact with one another by visiting each other’s villages and even helping each other complete chores. All of this being said, even ifTales of the Shireends up being nothing likeAnimal Crossing, it’s already looking like it will turn out to be a charming, relaxing experience.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
WHERE TO PLAY
Escape to a deserted island and create your own paradise as you explore, create, and customize in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game. Your island getaway has a wealth of natural resources that can be used to craft everything from tools to creature comforts. You can hunt down insects at the crack of dawn, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean. The time of day and season match real life, so each day on your island is a chance to check in and find new surprises all year round.Show off your island utopia to family and friends—or pack your bags and visit theirs. Whether playing online** or with others beside you***, island living is even better when you can share it. Even without hopping on a flight, you’ll meet a cast of charming animal residents bursting with personality. Friendly faces like Tom Nook and Isabelle will lend their services and happily help you grow your budding community. Escape to your island getaway—however, whenever, and wherever you want.
