Upon release, Stardew Valley was a runaway success, and has gone on to sell over 15 million units as of September 2021. Naturally, expectations are high for the developer's next offering, and Haunted Chocolatier will look to maintain the high bar set by the 2016 farming simulator. The efforts of Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone have changed how the industry sees solo-developed games, as the lengthy development cycle of Stardew Valley with regular updates about its progression became the new standard for indie creators.
Though its aesthetics would lead players to believe that Haunted Chocolatier is a spiritual successor to Stardew Valley, there are a handful of significant changes to the formula. More emphasis on fantasy elements, the stress of customer service, and combat will be far more in-depth this time around. This looks like a ConcernedApe title, but more intricate battle mechanics will be important now that boss encounters are included, and as such the gameplay of Haunted Chocolatier will likely differ from what was present in Stardew Valley.
Stardew Valley's Simple Combat
Stardew Valley is a farming simulator first and foremost, but there's a myriad of things that can be done to kill time. Growing crops, wooing the local townsfolk, and fishing at one of the valley's rivers or lakes are all part of the fun. When combat is on players' minds, the mines offer hours of entertainment. Overcoming the different monsters in each of its 120 floors is a challenge, but the simple combat mechanics always make it feel like reaching the next checkpoint is as much about luck as it is skill. Boss battles would have been pointless, as the player never has the tools needed to make a fight enjoyable, and combat isn't a heavily emphasized component of Stardew Valley.
The game's main focus is farming, foraging, and socializing, so the mines are only really a means to find valuable resources. In Haunted Chocolatier, it's clear that combat will be an essential pillar of its overall design, so more robust mechanics will be required, especially now that boss battles have been confirmed. The added importance placed on combat immediately sets Haunted Chocolatier apart from Stardew Valley, and it's clear that inspiration has been found elsewhere.
Haunted Chocolatier's SNES Inspiration
Boss battles have been a mainstay in video games for decades. However, wielding a 16-bit art style, comparisons have been made between Haunted Chocolatier and a handful of SNES games, so the former's inclusion of boss encounters has likely been inspired by the likes of Chrono Trigger and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Neither game shares much in common with Stardew Valley, meaning this could be a sign that the game is shifting to a more action-adventure affair, ditching the Stardew Valley format entirely.
It's important for an action or combat-driven game to give players a sense of progression, and littering the adventure with challenging bosses does well to make the journey feel like it's packed with small victories on the road to completion. Link's adventures in Hyrule and Samus' quest through Super Metroid include plenty of fights with menacing enemies, making even the shortest sessions feel like they were helping work toward a larger goal. With Stardew Valley being at its best when experienced at a leisurely pace, Haunted Chocolatier may not be so relaxing, as the inclusion of boss fights further implies that it will be different from its 2016 predecessor.
Though its pixel art aesthetics are similar to that of Stardew Valley, the approach to game design with Haunted Chocolatier looks to be remarkably different. Boss fights are the tip of the iceberg, and set a precedent that ConcernedApe's upcoming title will be a more action-heavy affair. Fans of the developer's beloved farming simulator have every reason to be excited, but those who love retro, 16-bit games of old may also find enjoyment in Haunted Chocolatier, as its influences lie far beyond the calming hills of Stardew Valley.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.