Upon release,Stardew Valleywas a runaway success, and has gone on to sell over 15 million units as of September 2021. Naturally, expectations are high for the developer’s next offering, andHaunted Chocolatierwill look to maintain the high bar set by the 2016 farming simulator. The efforts ofEric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone have changed how the industry sees solo-developed games, as the lengthy development cycle ofStardew Valleywith regular updates about its progression became the new standard for indie creators.
Though its aesthetics would lead players to believe thatHaunted Chocolatieris a spiritual successor toStardew Valley, there are a handful of significant changes to the formula. More emphasis on fantasy elements, the stress of customer service, and combat will be far more in-depth this time around. This looks like a ConcernedApe title, but more intricate battle mechanics will be important now that boss encounters are included, and as such the gameplay ofHaunted Chocolatierwill likely differ from what was present inStardew Valley.
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Stardew Valley’s Simple Combat
Stardew Valleyis a farming simulator first and foremost, but there’s a myriad of things that can be done to kill time. Growing crops, wooing the local townsfolk, and fishing at one of the valley’s rivers or lakes are all part of the fun. When combat is on players' minds,the mines offer hours of entertainment. Overcoming the different monsters in each of its 120 floors is a challenge, but the simple combat mechanics always make it feel like reaching the next checkpoint is as much about luck as it is skill. Boss battles would have been pointless, as the player never has the tools needed to make a fight enjoyable, and combat isn’t a heavily emphasized component ofStardew Valley.
The game’s main focus is farming, foraging, and socializing, so the mines are only really a means to find valuable resources. InHaunted Chocolatier, it’s clear that combat will be an essential pillar of its overall design, so more robust mechanics will be required, especially now thatboss battles have been confirmed. The added importance placed on combat immediately setsHaunted Chocolatierapart fromStardew Valley, and it’s clear that inspiration has been found elsewhere.
Haunted Chocolatier’s SNES Inspiration
Boss battles have been a mainstay in video games for decades. However, wielding a 16-bit art style, comparisons have been made betweenHaunted Chocolatierand a handful of SNES games, so the former’s inclusion of boss encounters has likely beeninspired by the likes ofChrono TriggerandThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.Neither game shares much in common withStardew Valley,meaning this could be a sign that the game is shifting to a more action-adventure affair, ditching theStardew Valleyformat entirely.
It’s important for an action or combat-driven game to give players a sense of progression, and littering the adventure with challenging bosses does well to make the journey feel like it’s packed with small victories on the road to completion. Link’s adventures in Hyrule and Samus' quest throughSuper Metroidinclude plenty of fights with menacing enemies, making even the shortest sessions feel like they were helping work toward a larger goal. WithStardew Valleybeing at its best when experienced at a leisurely pace,Haunted Chocolatiermay not be so relaxing, as the inclusion of boss fights further implies that it will be different from its 2016 predecessor.
Though its pixel art aesthetics are similar to that ofStardew Valley,the approach to game design withHaunted Chocolatierlooks to be remarkably different. Boss fights are the tip of the iceberg, and set a precedent thatConcernedApe’s upcoming title will be a more action-heavy affair. Fans of the developer’s beloved farming simulator have every reason to be excited, but those who love retro, 16-bit games of old may also find enjoyment inHaunted Chocolatier, as its influences lie far beyond the calming hills ofStardew Valley.
