Stardew Valleyfans have a lot to look forward to in the coming years. Not only is the critically acclaimed farming simulator keeping gamers entertained, but Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone is developing another life simulator calledHaunted Chocolatier.The game revolves around an ambitious chocolatier who moves into a haunted mansion, making and selling chocolate with the help of some enterprising ghosts. Barone has confirmed thatHaunted Chocolatierwill connect toStardew Valley, though that connection isn’t yet known.
While theHaunted Chocolatierisn’t the only project that ConcernedApe has in development, it seems to have already amassed a large community of fans. Early development screenshots revealHaunted Chocolatierto be extremely different fromStardew Valley, taking place in a snowy town andlaced with a darker, moodier storyline. While the game will borrow from and evolve the combat and foraging elements seen in its predecessor,Haunted Chocolatieris different enough to make possible connections hard to find.
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Possible Connections Between Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier
One possible connection betweenStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatiercould lie in the mysterious portal hidden away behind double doors in the chocolatier’s mansion. ConcernedApe has explained that the portal allows players to travel to another area where they can forage and fight. As seen in the early gameplay trailer, this realm appears to be extremely similar to the mountainous, verdant valley that Pelican Town resides in. There is ample possibility thatHaunted Chocolatierplayers might be able to travel to Stardew Valley, albeit a different part. With this possibility comes thepotential for farming elements inHaunted Chocolatierthat could connect the game back to its predecessor as well.
A potentialStardew Valleyconnection might be seen in the cast of new NPCs. While most NPCs in the upcoming game have not been unveiled yet, a popular trope inlife simulator franchises likeRunefactoryandHarvest Moonis to have “traveling” NPCs appear in future games. It would be awesome to buy goods from the Traveling Merchant, run into Demetrius in the new lab, help Gunther set up a new museum, or even find the Wizard in the woods with his ghost friends. The possibilities for NPC crossover between the two ConcernedApe games are endless, not including the chance thatHaunted ChocolatierNPCs might hail from the valley.
How A Potential Stardew Valley Connection Could Affect Haunted Chocolatier Gameplay
Haunted Chocolatierplayers could potentially sell their goods to areas outside their small town, revealing another connection in the commercial potential of the player’s chocolatier. Some players might be aware that chocolate cannot actually be purchased in the most current version ofStardew Valley.This is interesting given farmers are tasked with making chocolate cake, cookies, and other sweet treats that seemingly require chocolate in some form. This in-game need could be filled ifHaunted Chocolatierplayers are able to send shipments of their chocolatetoPierre’s general store inStardew Valley, featuring the iconic location as a subtle but impactful part of the new game.
Of course, it makes sense of Barone wants to giveHaunted Chocolatierthe chance to stand alone fromStardew Valley, a game that stands as tough competition for any life simulator on the market. This could mean that any connection to the previous game might be more subtle than players might like, although that may be a good thing. It’s always exciting to encounter Easter eggs that are tricky to find but altogether more satisfying. Potential Easter eggs could come in the form of books, letters, holidays, and more, without being overly gratuitous to the point ofcreating aStardew Valley 2.
Haunted Chocolatieris currently in development.
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