While the Haunted Chocolatier isn’t the only project that ConcernedApe has in development, it seems to have already amassed a large community of fans. Early development screenshots reveal Haunted Chocolatier to be extremely different from Stardew Valley, taking place in a snowy town and laced with a darker, moodier storyline. While the game will borrow from and evolve the combat and foraging elements seen in its predecessor, Haunted Chocolatier is different enough to make possible connections hard to find.
RELATED: Diablo 2 is an Odd, But Perfect Inspiration for Haunted Chocolatier
Possible Connections Between Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier
One possible connection between Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier could lie in the mysterious portal hidden away behind double doors in the chocolatier’s mansion. ConcernedApe has explained that the portal allows players to travel to another area where they can forage and fight. As seen in the early gameplay trailer, this realm appears to be extremely similar to the mountainous, verdant valley that Pelican Town resides in. There is ample possibility that Haunted Chocolatier players might be able to travel to Stardew Valley, albeit a different part. With this possibility comes the potential for farming elements in Haunted Chocolatier that could connect the game back to its predecessor as well.
A potential Stardew Valley connection might be seen in the cast of new NPCs. While most NPCs in the upcoming game have not been unveiled yet, a popular trope in life simulator franchises like Runefactory and Harvest Moon is to have “traveling” NPCs appear in future games. It would be awesome to buy goods from the Traveling Merchant, run into Demetrius in the new lab, help Gunther set up a new museum, or even find the Wizard in the woods with his ghost friends. The possibilities for NPC crossover between the two ConcernedApe games are endless, not including the chance that Haunted Chocolatier NPCs might hail from the valley.
How A Potential Stardew Valley Connection Could Affect Haunted Chocolatier Gameplay
Haunted Chocolatier players could potentially sell their goods to areas outside their small town, revealing another connection in the commercial potential of the player’s chocolatier. Some players might be aware that chocolate cannot actually be purchased in the most current version of Stardew Valley. This is interesting given farmers are tasked with making chocolate cake, cookies, and other sweet treats that seemingly require chocolate in some form. This in-game need could be filled if Haunted Chocolatier players are able to send shipments of their chocolate to Pierre’s general store in Stardew Valley, featuring the iconic location as a subtle but impactful part of the new game.
Of course, it makes sense of Barone wants to give Haunted Chocolatier the chance to stand alone from Stardew Valley, a game that stands as tough competition for any life simulator on the market. This could mean that any connection to the previous game might be more subtle than players might like, although that may be a good thing. It’s always exciting to encounter Easter eggs that are tricky to find but altogether more satisfying. Potential Easter eggs could come in the form of books, letters, holidays, and more, without being overly gratuitous to the point of creating a Stardew Valley 2.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.
MORE: Haunted Chocolatier Should Not Give In to a Repetitive Gameplay Loop
