Stardew Valley's gifting system could be in line for a major upgrade in Haunted Chocolatier if it gets a few tweaks. After Stardew Valley's friendship and marriage mechanics made gifting such an important aspect of the game, it's pretty much a certainty for Haunted Chocolatier. Along with a new setting and theme, it could also be a perfect opportunity to remix the way that gifting worked. Not only could it become more intricate, but those intricacies could make it more satisfying. Once Haunted Chocolatier comes out, this vital feature could become a stronger part of the game as a whole.
When it comes to befriending villagers in Stardew Valley, giving them gifts is the most efficient way to do so. Gifting in Stardew Valley is as simple as can be. The player simply needs to select an item in their inventory and offer it to the villager in question. Liked and loved gifts will give the player a significant amount of progress towards expanding their friendship. At the same time, disliked or hated gifts will penalize the player and set the friendship back to a degree. Once the player figures out some likes and dislikes, they'll easily grow their friendships in Stardew Valley.
One Stardew Valley Quest Type Seems Like a No-Brainer for Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier will likely share a good bit of DNA with Stardew Valley, and this ought to apply to one group of activities in particular.
Giving Gifts in Haunted Chocolatier Can Become a More Special Occasion
Haunted Chocolatier's Gifts Could Be Deeper Than Stardew Valley's
Thanks to ConcernedApe, players already know that Haunted Chocolatier's combat has changed compared to Stardew Valley, but that doesn't have to be the only mechanical rework. Gifting could also see a significant rework. Of course, players could still have the option to simply hand something to a villager for a friendship boost, but the system could grow significantly from there. For example, the player could get boxes or gift wrap that could give friendship bonuses since they make the gift look more thoughtful. Going the extra mile to make gifts more special could be made into a theme in Haunted Chocolatier.
Haunted Chocolatier Can Let Players Make Handmade Gifts For Friends
Another obvious direction to take would be homemade gifts. The core concept of Haunted Chocolatier is centered around making chocolates, so that could also come through when it comes to gifts. Perhaps in addition to the chocolate factory, the player could have a workbench or other area where they could use materials to make gifts for the townspeople. One upside is that this would make gifts a lot more unique, since the player would have to make them rather than simply finding them. Not to mention, it's easy to imagine the recipient appreciating something that the player character made themselves.
Going the extra mile to make gifts more special could be made into a theme in H aunted Chocolatier .
Important Occasions Would Make Haunted Chocolatier's Gifts More Special
Emphasizing the best gift-giving times could also be a good addition. This isn't without precedent, since Stardew Valley's Feast of the Winter Star and character birthdays were events that granted bonuses for gift-giving. Haunted Chocolatier can introduce more opportunities where it would be more meaningful, and therefore effective, to give characters gifts. Other holidays would be a good start, especially if certain townspeople have favorite holidays. There could also be other days that are special to certain townspeople for one reason or another. The player remembering these special days and giving an appropriately-timed could make for an incredibly touching scene.
Gift-giving was very casual in Stardew Valley, and Haunted Chocolatier could probably benefit from a change of pace. When players are building their reputation with Haunted Chocolatier's cast, remembering specific things about them to make their gifts more meaningful, and in return, make the process more satisfying. It would reward the player for getting to know the townspeople better, while also making gifting feel like a more personal endeavor than it was before. Stardew Valley introduced a great friendship mechanic, and now Haunted Chocolatier has the chance to make it better than before.
Haunted Chocolatier
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.
