Despite the fact that it has not yet been released, Private Division and Weta Workshop's Tales of the Shire has garnered criticism from various outlets who have already spent some time with the game in hands-on previews. While many of the positive remarks have commented on Tales of the Shire's charming art style, its emphasis on community, and the fresh take on Middle-earth it offers, one of its biggest criticisms has been that its mini-games lack the depth that might make them more fulfilling to complete. Even so, there is still some time left for Tales of the Shire to meet this criticism head on and offer a bit more of what some players have already expressed an interest in.