On the surface, it may seem like Stardew Valley is a run-of-the-mill farming simulator with humble visuals and a limited gameplay options. This is far from the case, though, as ConcernedApe's solo-developed masterpiece is packed with engaging activities and charming character moments that have kept players coming back since it released back in 2016. It's far deeper than its looks would suggest, and working to create a productive and pretty farm is just a small piece of what players can do to occupy the in-game day. Narratively it's limited, but has enough stellar world-building for Haunted Chocolatier to take advantage of.
Haunted Chocolatier is the next project for the Seattle-based developer, and shares some aesthetic and gameplay similarities with its farming simulator predecessor. Giving players the responsibility of running a chocolate factory, it's a title that will differ greatly from Stardew Valley, and its heavier emphasis on combat and shift in tone should do well to differentiate the pair. However, Stardew Valley introduces some lore that has lots of potential, and having Haunted Chocolatier take some of it would be a great way to bring something familiar to the game.
Joja Corporation's Overbearing Presence
Haunted Chocolatier has players assume the role of the owner of a chocolate factory, and looks to be a more commercially-driven format than Stardew Valley. Amassing a small fortune was one of the key driving factors of Stardew Valley's progression, but raising livestock, interacting with the Pelican Town inhabitants, and tending to an ever-growing farm were the more important factors to enjoying the experience. The Joja Corporation is introduced early, and immediately feels like an intrusive company that's not afraid to upset the applecart in pursuit of profit. Stardew Valley is an otherwise wholesome experience, and to have the overbearing Joja Corporation ruining the pleasant nature of the town gave the setting some added depth.
Including Joja Corporation in Haunted Chocolatier would introduce a commercial rival for players to fend off, and could create a dynamic where customers can flit between Joja and the player's company according to how well the player is tending the shop. In Stardew Valley there is a small introduction to the oppressive corporation, but Haunted Chocolatier has the unique opportunity to use it further to create a villainous presence, as well as a suitable motivation to keep the chocolate factory performing at its best.
Stardew Valley's Charming Races
While the humans in Pelican Town take up far more time than other races, there are a host of friendly and not-so-friendly creatures that make Stardew Valley feel diverse. From hanging out with Shane or Maru to tentatively stopping by the Community Center to greet the Junimos, the personalities on offer do well to keep the world-building fresh and keeps curiosity alive.
The volume of races on offer make Stardew Valley an experience that feels like it always has something new that is yet to be explored. The wizard that lives alone to the west of the map shows that the game isn't going to prioritize realism and instead uses plenty of supernatural elements, and Stardew Valley only continues to introduce more as the hours tick by. Haunted Chocolatier is going to be more combat-focused, but reducing other races to enemies that are only there to be dispatched would be such a shame. The darker tone of Haunted Chocolatier allows for more creative freedom with the races, and ensuring they are friends as well as foes would surely be a wise decision.
Stardew Valley has the potential for fun in all of its corners. From fishing to mining, feeding animals to farming until dusk, the tasks that Stardew Valley present are plentiful and always enjoyable. The lore in Stardew Valley can be harder to find, but it's present in abundance if players are willing to take a break from the grind and soak in the game's sublime atmosphere. Haunted Chocolatier looks to be a significant departure from what came before, but remembering the potential that Stardew Valley's impressive lore and world-building had -- and still has -- would make Haunted Chocolatier even more of an exciting project for fans.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.