Summary
Haunted Chocolatieraims for a similar simulation experience asStardew Valley, but it could have one key disadvantage compared to its predecessor. Both games let players run their own businesses, withStardew Valleygiving them a farm whileHaunted Chocolatierobviously features a chocolate shop. Aside from that, each game offers players a whole world to explore, filled with people to talk to and monsters to fight. At the end of the day though, the core of the game comes back to the farm or shop. In that sense,Haunted Chocolatierneeds to avoid falling short.
If there is oneconnection betweenHaunted ChocolatierandStardew Valley, it’s their respective premises. In each game, the player is a newcomer to a small community, and they are tasked with building up their new life. Since they are effectively starting from scratch, barring the few materials that they have at the game’s start, the way that they build their business is effectively up to the player. As for the rest of the protagonist’s life,Stardew Valleyincluded activities such as fishing, the mines, and socialization when the player was away from the farm, andHaunted Chocolatierwill likely demand a similar balance.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Chocolate Shop Needs Options Similar to Stardew Valley’s Farm
There are a wide variety of ways for players todesign farms inStardew Valley, both in terms of form and function. Among the possibilities that were available toStardew Valley’s farms are:
Once the player has the means to pursue these endeavors, there’s nothing stopping them from focusing as much or as little on each aspect as they want. A player could mix a little bit of everything, or turn their farm into a dedicated ranch or winery if they wish. This level of versatility adds toStardew Valley’s appeal.
For all the variety thatStardew Valley’s farms had, it may be hard to repeat whilemanaging a shop inHaunted Chocolatier. WhileStardew Valleylet players produce a myriad of goods from their farms,Haunted Chocolatierdoesn’t look to have the same luxury. The player will be running a shop no matter what, and if the title is any indication, the shop will always be a confectionery, specifically one focused on chocolate. While the player will be making their own products, the shop will still have the same focus. As a result,Haunted Chocolatierwill need to find other methods to add more flavor.
There are a few ways that the chocolate shop could be approached creatively. One way would be aHaunted Chocolatierequivalent toStardew Valley’s farm expansions. The game could give players the ability to upgrade their shop with new features. For example, the player could add a cafe where they can brew coffees and teas, both to sell to customers as well as drink themselves for various benefits. The player could also have the chance to get decorations that can affect the shop’s traits in some way, similar toMoonlighter.Haunted Chocolatier’s shop may have a set focus, but there’s still room for improvisation.
WhileStardew Valleylet players produce a myriad of goods from their farms,Haunted Chocolatierdoesn’t look to have the same luxury.
Even thoughHaunted Chocolatier’s premise seems more limited thanStardew Valley’s, that doesn’t have to ring true in its execution. With so many possibilities,Haunted Chocolatiershouldn’t limit itselfto simply supplying what the title states. The player could build more than a simple dessert shop, especially with the supernatural element already implied by the title and shown in screenshots. What the game needs to do is embrace the versatility ofStardew Valley’s farm in its own way. If it does, thenHaunted Chocolatiercould have more possibilities than it seems at first glance.
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.
