Stardew Valley is the idyllic farm simulator that drew in millions of fans for its visually pleasing aesthetic and lovable cast of characters. However, it also has its fair share of mysteries — mysteries that Haunted Chocolatier should delve into.
Five years after Stardew Valley’s initial release, ConcernedApe announced a new game in development called Haunted Chocolatier. According to the developer, the goal was to explore more fantastical elements with this new game. While Stardew Valley focused on nature, this game would lean more on magic and the unknown.
The Magical Mysteries of Stardew Valley
While Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier are similar in their visual design, the latter will likely have a bit of a darker (but still cozy) aesthetic. This is showcased in the game’s early gameplay trailer, with the moody halls of the mansion and the snowy cobblestone paths of the new town. It creates the perfect setting to solve some of the more mystical questions raised in Stardew Valley.
For instance, Haunted Chocolatier is in an ideal position to explore the magical elements present in Stardew Valley. Creatures like crop fairies, witches, wizards, and more are present in the farm simulator but never explained. Moreover, while Junimos play a central role in Stardew Valley’s narrative, nothing much is known about them apart from the fact that they’re forest spirits. Haunted Chocolatier could delve a little deeper into the lore of these magical entities and potentially explain how they came to be and what abilities they have.
Aside from the overtly magical elements of Stardew Valley, there are also subtler mysteries that raise questions among the fanbase. In particular, players are still confused about what’s making the strange sounds at night. The noises sound like a voice howling out in pain and are often heard during rainy nights. Could these be the pleas of spirits? Haunted Chocolatier may be able to answer that question since the player gets helps from a bunch of chocolate-loving ghosts.
Haunted Chocolatier Can’t Tackle Them All
ConcernedApe’s new game is poised to deepen the lore that was first introduced in Stardew Valley. However, it can’t provide answers to all the mysteries. This is because it seems Haunted Chocolatier will take place in a different village, not Pelican Town. So the characters that Stardew fans fell in love with — including the more mysterious ones — might not make an appearance in the new game.
This change in setting also means that Haunted Chocolatier might not delve into location-based mysteries, particularly those relating to the Skull Cavern. For example, the strange plaques that are found in its depths are filled with strange, indecipherable symbols. Though the community has come up with potential translations, these might not be confirmed anytime soon.
If anything, Haunted Chocolatier may provide the community with more questions than answers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, these mysteries are what make ConcernedApe’s fictional worlds so intriguing. It adds depth to a seemingly normal world, making the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier all the more interesting, and it’s that depth that pulls players in.
That beingsaid, it wouldn’t hurt to give players a deeper look into the more fantastical aspects of the world where Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier take place. What other mystical creatures are there? How does magic work? And can the player wield it? With ConcernedApe revealing little about the development process, fans are left to dwell on the possibilities. Though one thing’s for sure: The community can’t wait to get their hands on Haunted Chocolatier — mysteries and all.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.