Since its surprise announcement last year, Haunted Chocolatier has remained largely mysterious. The follow-up to the unexpectedly popular hit Stardew Valley will have the look and feel of its predecessor, but Haunted Chocolatier shifts the focus from a farming simulator to running a chocolate shop and exploring a brand-new town. Using the same art style as Stardew Valley, the shop sim Haunted Chocolatier will feature helpful ghosts, neighbors to befriend, and some more supernatural elements that give the game an air of mystery and magic.
The second game from the one-person development team ConcernedApe has reportedly been in development since 2020, but developer Eric Barone says there's still a long way to go. It seems players won't see Haunted Chocolatier any time soon, and despite some screenshots, hints, and limited details released regarding the upcoming game, fans don't have much to go on. While gamers wait to get their hands on ConcernedApe's next title, there are a bunch of games with a similar vibe that they can check out to scratch that Haunted Chocolatier itch.
Stardew Valley
If players haven't yet managed to play ConcernedApe's first game Stardew Valley, they should definitely give it a go before the release of Haunted Chocolatier. While there are plenty of farming simulators around, not many of them have the depth of Stardew Valley, which offers everything from creature combat, romances to pursue, and mysteries to solve as players establish their farms and tend their crops. Stardew Valley is a carefully constructed and thought-out game, with ConcernedApe's attention to detail clear in every pixel. The characters that the player can get to know are nuanced and diverse, and the gameplay is as fun as it is rewarding. There's a reason Stardew Valley has had such a profound impact and inspired many other titles, and it's a must-play for management sim fans.
Little Dragon's Cafe
For any gamers wanted to practice their shop management skills before playing Haunted Chocolatier and attempting to run a successful confectionery shop, they should give Little Dragon's Cafe a try. The strategy game follows a pair of twins as they try to manage a cafe and features adorable characters and charmingly simplistic gameplay. The design is similar to some Harvest Moon games, but minus the farming element. Players must craft tasty dishes, manage their ingredients, and take care of their customers, all while raising a dragon. While not the most challenging of games, Little Dragon's Cafe is comforting and carefree, with a sweet central concept and a cute cast of characters.
Starbound
Starbound is a game that offers players a lot of freedom, and gamers can really craft their own story. From fighting galactic forces to ignoring the calls of a heroic adventure and settling down to farm the land, Starbound has it all. Exploration is a key element of the game, with players able to travel from planet to planet, discover hidden treasures, uncover mysteries, and even construct castles once they've fixed their damaged ship. Starbound offers something a little different from the earth-based action of Haunted Chocolatier, but the look and feel of the game aren't far away from ConcernedApe's style and could offer a gameplay experience with more of a sci-fi focus ahead of the game's launch.
Graveyard Keeper
One of the ways that Haunted Chocolatier signals a departure from Stardew Valley is how the game is doubling down on its spookier elements. From ghostly shop helpers to creepy buildings to explore, Haunted Chocolatier is not afraid to embrace the darker side. Another game that wears its spookiness on its sleeve is Graveyard Keeper – a management sim inspired by Stardew Valley that sees the player transported to a medieval fantasy world to oversee a cemetery. Gamers complete quests for NPC, develop their plot of land, and unlock new technologies as they progress, leveling up their character and the graveyard they manage. The kooky tone and central premise add to Graveyard Keeper's charms, even if the gameplay doesn't really break any new ground.
Eastward
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Eastward is an indie action-adventure RPG that ticks all the right boxes, from its gorgeous 2D art style to its challenging dungeons. The game follows John and Sam as they travel through a world that's crumbling around them in an attempt to uncover the mystery of Sam's abilities and the reason their society is on the brink of collapse. Haunted Chocolatier looks like it will have its own fair share of mysteries to unravel, and Eastward's story-driven gameplay seems like the perfect way to prep for the game's release. The quirky characters that litter the in-game world add to Eastward's enjoyability, and there's so much to explore and engage with throughout the game.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.
