Every occasion to see Gandalf in Tales of the Shire feels a bit exciting, like an old friend is visiting. He never overstays his welcome enough to take away from the game, and his appearances generally bring a dose of lore, introspection, and whimsy, just as one would expect from this wizard.

Cooking stands at the forefront of activity in Tales of the Shire, with many of the tasks and related quests often tied in to providing ingredients, funding,