Summary
ConcernedApe’sStardew Valleyis not only one of the most successful cozy games ever made but also one of the most successful indie games. Its charming art style, satisfying gameplay loop, and captivating characters all serve to make it a unique experience unlike many before it. Now, ConcernedApe’s next big title on the horizon,Haunted Chocolatier, is looking very similar toStardew Valley, which might be okay but could also be its downfall. Fortunately, it does seem the developer is doing what he can to ensureHaunted Chocolatieris a separate experience fromStardew Valley, although the two still appear to have similar visual styles.
Whereas players experience life on a farm inStardew Valley’s peaceful village of Pelican Town, they will be tasked with managing a chocolate confectionery store inHaunted Chocolatier. Already, this characteristic alone differentiatesChocolatierfromStardew, as it puts players in the role of managing a business rather than running a farm. While players can make money off of their farm-produced products inStardew Valley, it’s nothing like running a business, which is whatHaunted Chocolatier’s core gameplay loop will consist of. This significant difference between the two could set upHaunted Chocolatier’s main city to also be starkly different fromStardew’s Pelican Town, which could setChocolatiereven further apart from its spiritual predecessor.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Premise May Fuel Its City’s Identity
Haunted Chocolatier’s Confectionery Store Could Mean a Larger City Than Pelican Town
The fact thatHaunted Chocolatier’s premise revolves around players owning and running a business could mean big things for the city it is set in. Specifically, assuming all ofHaunted Chocolatierwill take place in one location, just asStardewdoes, its town could be much larger thanStardew’s Pelican Town. After all, it would make sense forHaunted Chocolatierto take place in a town that thrives on commerce, as a chocolate confectionery store is something of a specialty, rather than the traditional general store orbar that players can find inStardew Valley. In that case,Chocolatier’s town would have to be much bigger than Pelican Town to house any other businesses hoping to turn a profit there.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Confectionery Store Could Mean More Businesses Like It
IfHaunted Chocolatierrevolves around a specialty storelike a chocolate confectionery store, surely players would be able to find more stores like it in the game’s main town. It’s not every day one comes across a store that specializes in chocolate, so it might open the door for more businesses like it to exist inChocolatier’s main town.
For example, perhapsHaunted Chocolatier’s main town will be home to a donut shop or candy store, since there appears to be an emphasis on sweet treats. Maybe a shaved ice truck or ice cream shop would be in order as well. It’s currently unclear whatHaunted Chocolatier’s storywill look like, but maybe there will be an element of competition to it all that sees dessert shops competing with one another during the town’s festival. It would all keep up with the game’s theme, as “haunted” implies something more akin to an eternal Halloween, which is associated with candy and sweets.
ConcernedApe hasn’t revealed too much aboutHaunted Chocolatierat this point. In fact, he has felt the need to remind his fans that he likes to play his cards close to his chest, so there will likely be very little coming from him leading up toChocolatier’s release. Still, it might be nice to get a good view ofChocolatier’s town to see what it has in store for expectant players, especially if it means confirming its uniqueness in the shadow ofStardew Valley.
Haunted Chocolatier
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
