New Dungeons & Dragons Game Needs to Learn From a Recent LOTR Mistake

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Whenever a new video game is revealed for a popular franchise, fans naturally feel both excitement and worry that the original story won’t be treated well. The Lord of the Rings is a prime example – it’s had several games that were either disappointing or just mediocre. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria didn’t quite meet the high standards fans have for the franchise. Unfortunately, this isn’t limited to The Lord of the Rings; Dungeons & Dragons has faced similar issues. This has sparked a lot of discussion about the upcoming, more relaxed Dungeons & Dragons game being developed by Gameloft, the creators of Disney Dreamlight Valley.

There’s a lot of promise in a relaxing game set in the Dungeons & Dragons world, and I’m eager to see what Gameloft does with it. Still, the somewhat lukewarm response to The Lord of the Rings: Tales of the Shire makes me a bit cautious. My love for the D&D brand doesn’t guarantee the game will be well-made – Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance, for example, wasn’t very successful. However, Gameloft could benefit from the lessons learned from The Lord of the Rings’ cozy game, which might help them create a delightful and enjoyable experience in the Forgotten Realms.

Keep the Heart of D&D Without the Combat Grind

When people imagine Dungeons & Dragons, they usually picture battles and acting out roles. Things like rolling dice, casting spells like fireball, and exploring dungeons are well-known parts of the game. However, that’s not what I’m looking for in a relaxing D&D experience. It doesn’t need forced battles or repetitive tasks; instead, I want to focus on interesting characters, enjoyable gameplay, and what makes this a cooperative role-playing game at its core.

These parts are important and require careful work. Tales of the Shire received a lot of criticism because its gameplay was boring and lacked substance, demonstrating the risk of simply adding a ‘cozy’ theme to a game without real content. Gameloft needs to create an experience that feels like a vibrant, immersive fantasy world where player decisions have an impact. Disney Dreamlight Valley does a pretty good job of this, but even it feels limited in scope when compared to a D&D game.

Gameloft has several options for the game’s setting. For example, players could manage a tavern where adventurers rest between missions. This tavern could be located in a small town that the player expands and improves over time. Instead of focusing on battles, players could solve issues and complete quests through conversations and smart choices. Supporting heroes by providing food, supplies, and even crafting magical items could build a thriving world that minimizes combat while still acknowledging the importance of Dungeons & Dragons’s action.

Lean Into Dungeons & Dragons’ Storytelling, Community, and Creativity

What really makes Dungeons & Dragons special is how it lets you tell stories and connect with others. The heart of the game is gathering with friends, building adventures together, and having fun. A good D&D session should emphasize rich storytelling and letting players be creative, instead of just following a pre-made adventure. These things are what truly draw players in, something Tales of the Shire didn’t quite achieve for fans of The Lord of the Rings.

I envision a game centered around managing an inn, but with a strong focus on the people who visit. It’s about more than just providing a place to sleep; you’d be hearing the tales of adventurers, choosing who to welcome, and helping them regain their strength. You could even collect information from them to start new quests. This would build a broader understanding of the world outside your village and inn. Rather than battles, the excitement would come from how you interact with these characters and the consequences of your decisions.

Gameloft could offer players lots of ways to customize things. Letting players design and decorate their inn and tavern, and even organize events like festivals, would make the game world feel more unique and personal. This would allow players to truly feel like they’re leaving their mark on the world, making it feel more genuine to the Dungeons & Dragons universe. There could also be features to share these creations with others in multiplayer, maybe even letting players visit each other’s taverns.

Make Exploration and World-Building Relaxing, Not Stressful

A major problem with Tales of the Shire was that its relaxing gameplay quickly became boring and predictable, and the game world didn’t feel connected to the larger world of Middle-earth. It didn’t offer much of a sense of advancement or excitement, instead getting stuck in a cycle of farming and crafting that wasn’t very well done. In the end, the game didn’t really bring anything fresh or interesting to the table, except for its setting – and even that didn’t quite deliver. Gameloft needs to improve significantly with Dungeons & Dragons.

I’d love to create a D&D game where you slowly build up an inn and the surrounding town into a central spot for adventurers. I imagine starting with a tiny village, barely more than a few buildings and people, on the edge of the known world. As your business thrives, the town could grow, adding new shops and attracting more residents. This would draw in an increasing number of adventurers looking to explore local dungeons or battle monsters. They could become regular visitors, giving you the chance to get to know them – and maybe even develop a romantic relationship.

Players could venture beyond the village while still enjoying a warm and inviting atmosphere. They could cultivate a garden or farm, gather herbs and ingredients for spells in the surrounding forests, discover and investigate old ruins with simple puzzles, or even make friends with magical beings. These features would not only add to the cozy gameplay experience but also align with Gameloft’s vision of “unique cooperative gameplay built around an innovative hybrid of survival, life simulation, and action RPG.”

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2025-10-03 20:24