ConcernedApe’s upcoming title, Haunted Chocolatier, features a shopkeeping mechanic where the player can sell – unsurprisingly – chocolate. They can adventure across different biomes to collect the right set of ingredients and experiment with them back in the mansion. Already, it sounds like a fun gameplay loop, with players repeatedly venturing out to put together the perfect collection of sweet treats.
Even though there’s no release date yet for Haunted Chocolatier, fans of Stardew Valley are eagerly awaiting announcements. The community is also vocal about what features they want to retain as well as new mechanics that could be added to the game. Some are hoping for an extensive list of recipes – from chocolates to candies, and more. After all, Haunted Chocolatier doesn’t have to limit itself to just chocolates.
Sweet Treats in Haunted Chocolatier
The recently unveiled Haunted Chocolatier screenshot showcased the player fighting against a bee boss inside what appears to be a giant honeycomb. This tells players a bit more about the upcoming title’s combat mechanics, but, in contrast, there hasn’t been much information on the game’s shopkeeping features. The early gameplay trailer and old screenshots gave the community a few glimpses into the chocolate shop and how it works, but that was all. That leaves plenty of room for the community to theorize what the game’s chocolate-making elements might entail.
One discussion revolves around potential recipes. Some screenshots of the Haunted Chocolatier from last year show the player’s recipe book, containing details on how to make Chocolate Bars and Simple Truffles. But even though the game is titled Haunted Chocolatier, it doesn’t necessarily need to limit itself to crafting chocolate treats. Including other types of sweets in the recipe book, such as candies, gummies, and perhaps even pastries, would allow for more variation in ingredient farming. It also gives players more freedom in setting up their shop, perhaps focusing on the types of sweet treats they like the most.
Additionally, the game taps into the more mystical side of things. As ConcernedApe has put it, Haunted Chocolatier channels the energy of the moon. That might mean players can come across unique ingredients that are used for making magical sweets. The game can introduce something like the Strange Bun from Stardew Valley – just less strange and more appetizing. Special items from Stardew Valley could also make an appearance in Haunted Chocolatier. For example, the Void Egg could be used to make Void pastries or something similar.
Some players have also pitched the idea of seasonal treats, similar to how there are seasonal crops in Stardew Valley. Maybe offering peppermint bark for the Feast of the Winter Star or pumpkin-flavored chocolates for the Fall Season could generate more profits. It’s a great way to spur players to mix up their menu and continue expanding their recipe list. Of course, the final recipes are still dependent on the ingredients required. And given that the specifics of ingredient farming are still unclear, the community will have to wait for official word from ConcernedApe.
But overall, Haunted Chocolatier’s recipes – chocolate or otherwise – hold plenty of potential. There’s a variety of sweets that the developer could include in the game, allowing players to craft all sorts of treats. It’ll be a lot like becoming Willy Wonka, as some in the community have put it. Regardless of what the final recipe list is, however, Haunted Chocolatier is sure to deliver a cozy experience reminiscent of Stardew Valley. Players get to build the chocolate shop of their dreams while also meeting interesting characters and uncovering the secrets of the new setting.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.