Tales of the Shire 2: The Rebuild

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The concept of Tales of the Shire appears to be robustly grounded. The classic, comfortable gameplay elements such as fishing, gardening, gathering resources, and cooking align exceptionally well with a Hobbit’s lifestyle. From the sneak peeks before its release, it seems that Weta Workshop is skillfully utilizing the iconic setting of Tales of the Shire.

Situated during the Third Age, around the timeframe following the events of “The Hobbit” and before those of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the story of “Tales of the Shire” unfolds amidst the tranquil peace before a storm. Though the ominous forces of Mordor gather strength at a distance, they remain far from the picturesque meadows and streams of Bywater. If “Tales of the Shire” were to have a sequel, the subsequent setting might retain its comforting charm, although in a subtly altered manner.

A Sequel to Tales of the Shire Already Has The Perfect Possible Setting

A Tales of the Shire Sequel Set in The Fourth Age Could Be Great

The Fourth Era of Middle-earth commences immediately following the conclusion of “The Lord of the Rings,” as Frodo, Gandalf, and Bilbo depart for the Lands of the Belessed, with Samwise making his way back to the idyllic Shire. At the onset of this era, the world is still grappling with the aftermath of the War of the Ring. The human realms have been severely weakened, monarchies are in flux, elves are departing Middle-earth, and even the Shire is struggling to recover from Saruman’s brief but harsh rule over it.

In the hobbit town of Bywater, the location for “Tales of the Shire,” lies in ruins by the end of the Third Age. This town served as the battlefield during the final stages of the War of the Ring, where Saruman met his demise at the hands of Grima Wormtongue. If a sequel to “Tales of the Shire” ever materializes, it would be fitting for it to start at the beginning of the Fourth Age, allowing players to rebuild their devastated town of Bywater and bring light back to a world that has been shrouded in darkness following the war’s conclusion.

A New Setting Could Give Tales of the Shire More Room To Expand

In a follow-up story to “Tales of the Shire,” set during the Fourth Age, there would be room for more extensive exploration. Instead of confining ourselves to Bywater alone, this sequel could provide a chance to delve deeper into the Shire. Moreover, it might offer players the exciting prospect of visiting other renowned locations from “Lord of the Rings.

In the heart of the battle, Rohan and Gondor endured the brunt of Sauron’s darkness. These realms would greatly benefit from any assistance they could find to rebuild their once prosperous villages, and that’s where the player-character in Tales of the Shire 2 might offer aid. The fresh environments would open up opportunities for new character appearances, such as the new rulers of Rohan and Gondor, Eomer and Aragorn, as well as any other familiar characters from The Lord of the Rings trilogy who decide to pitch in with the recovery efforts.

After gaining access, players would have the freedom to move freely between the locations of the Shire, Rohan, and Gondor whenever they wished, essentially maintaining residences in all three regions concurrently. Each area would offer exclusive resources that could be employed in crafting unique customization items applicable across all homes. The environment might appear slightly somber compared to the Third Age setting of Tales of the Shire, but the experience of gradually rebuilding a world, piece by piece, could prove both rewarding and comforting in its essence.

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2025-03-14 22:39