Wow, so… we’re diving into this little thing called “Tales of the Shire,” right? It’s got that Tolkien warmth — you know, those Hobbits with their tidy homes and love for second breakfasts. At first glance, it sounds like it oughta be the coziest thing ever. But, uh, don’t get too comfy just yet.
So this game happens between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” You start with a quick chat with Gandalf—nice touch—but then it’s all about doing errands in Bywater, this small Hobbit place. You’re basically a new Hobbit in town, trying to get the place recognized as an official village. It’s like, oh great, I’m the messenger boy now, running around chatting up folks, and yeah, cooking for them too. The place is twisty, so expect lots of back-and-forth. It’s weirdly endearing though; the writing kinda pulls you in.
Now, let’s talk hobbits and food. Honestly, it’s all about cooking here — growing stuff, foraging, you name it. Which, you know, feels right for Hobbits. Still, every quest is like, “Cook something, invite someone, watch them eat.” Rinse, repeat. That’s the core. Feels shallow, like they stopped just before hitting the “Aha!” moment. And oh, your character never gets hungry? That’s definitely un-Hobbit-like. But I digress.
Game runs on a day system — makes sense for farming games, I guess. You cook, farm, do whatever until bedtime. If you pull an all-nighter? Well, you’ll just sleep in the next day. I kept finding myself killing time fishing. Fast-forward button, where are you?
Let’s switch gears — consoles. Playing on both Switch and Switch 2 gave me mixed vibes. The visuals are meh — kind of bland Hobbit designs. Frame rate? Oy vey. Switch 1 is rough, Switch 2’s only slightly better, and there’s this odd red sky bug. Fun times. But what really grinds my gears? Crashes. Every 20 minutes. Yep. Save often or face the wrath of lost progress. It’s like a Sisyphean nightmare where you’re pushing a save file up a hill.
In the end, “Tales of the Shire” should be a hit — it’s got the bones of a great game. But right now? It’s like an appetizer when you’re craving a feast. Maybe it’ll grow into something amazing, but for now, patch those bugs, please. I’d love to love it, but it needs some serious TLC before I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Here’s hoping it finds its stride.
