Stardew Valley is known for being a cheery little farming simulator with a charming cast of characters, which is something Haunted Chocolatier can draw from. Players get their own farm, where they spend most of their in-game lives, making a living and meeting some new friends. Its excellent mix of farming mechanics and social aspects mean that it's no surprise that Stardew Valley is one of the most beloved simulation games in recent years.
The villagers of Pelican Town are one of the main reasons why Stardew Valley is such a great game. They’re fully fleshed-out characters with their own beliefs and aspirations, which is why it’s such a pleasure to raise their hearts and experience their unique dialogue. That said, some of these characters’ stories are realistic (often heartbreakingly so), which adds to the game’s already compelling character narratives; Haunted Chocolatier should pay attention to that.
The Dark Side of Stardew Valley
Shane of Stardew Valley is often referenced in talks about the darker aspects of the game. Despite his initially brash demeanor, players that raise hearts with Shane find a more genuine side to him. He eventually opens up about his struggles with mental health and his alcoholism. This is pretty serious territory, especially for a happy farming simulator. Still, it adds to the game’s complexity, showcasing that the characters have depth to them.
Shane isn’t the only person in Pelican Town that’s dealing with serious issues. Other seemingly simple characters have their own problems to deal with; the game is just subtle in making these problems known to the player. For example, Stardew Valley's Kent exhibits symptoms of PTSD as a result of his time in the war. Meanwhile, his wife Jodi hints in some of her dialogue that she wishes her young adulthood had gone differently.
These are serious matters that players don’t often find in farming simulators, but they’re a welcome addition to Stardew Valley as the realism makes the characters and the overall game world more engaging. Some might even find solace in relating to these characters. All that said, this method of characterization would probably work well in Haunted Chocolatier as well.
Tackling Realistic Issues Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier will supposedly channel the energy of the moon, which is in contrast to how Stardew Valley channels the energy of the sun. This doesn’t mean ConcernedApe’s new game will be more morbid or bleak. Rather, the title will offer a calmer, cozier experience to players. That said, it’s an ideal setting to delve into serious topics, similar to the ones in Stardew Valley.
This is not to say that Stardew Valley’s setting isn’t suited to tackling serious topics. However, fans should consider Shane’s heart events. A number of them take place in calm, cozy spaces – the Cindersnap Forest at night and in the quiet chicken coop at Marnie’s. There are livelier heart events, of course, like the one in Zuzu City, where Shane and the player watch a gridball game. However, the point is that the more intimate moments are highlighted by the quiet settings, which is what Haunted Chocolatier seems to have in abundance.
The calm, snowy town of Haunted Chocolatier provides a lovely backdrop for the new set of characters to be vulnerable. It provides a sense of intimacy for when the player unlocks a character’s next heart event. And it also lends a sense of seriousness for when the game decides to tackle topics like the ones from Stardew Valley. In short, the setting matters when talking about the not-so-lighthearted, and Haunted Chocolatier can leverage its world to do just that.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.