Summary
- Haunted Chocolatier is highly anticipated, following the success of Stardew Valley & ConcernedApe's generosity in updating the game.
- The new game may not stray far from Stardew Valley's mechanics, but may introduce unique combat with a focus on ranged weapons.
- Despite no release date yet, Haunted Chocolatier has less pressure due to Stardew Valley's success, making it a standout in the cozy indie game space.
Haunted Chocolatier is set to be the next full-scale project from the developer of one of last decade's best games. Stardew Valley was a revelation and is still being given updates to this day, being a game that can be enjoyed for hundreds of hours thanks to the litany of things to do. The success of Stardew Valley has been the main fuel for the anticipation of what's coming next, as well as the openness and generosity of the solo developer behind it.
While little remains known about Haunted Chocolatier, the promotional material has indicated that it won't stray too far from the idea that Stardew Valley had all those years ago. It will likely have similar mechanics, and thus it will be looking to compete against the same franchises from other developers. Because of this, there could be a predisposition that ConcernedApe will have to reestablish his place in the cozy indie game space. This isn't necessarily the case.
Haunted Chocolatier Needs to Go All-In on Ranged Weapons
Haunted Chocolatier's combat will be largely different from Stardew Valley, and leaning into ranged weapons could help it stand out.
ConcernedApe Has Earned His Place with Stardew Valley
It's hard to believe that Stardew Valley was made by just a single person, as even at launch there was an abundance of activities to engage with, and very few ever felt like a chore. Spending time with the residents of Pelican Town, ticking off tasks on the farm, or delving deeper into Stardew Valley's mines are all so much fun to do, and in the eight years since, ConcernedApe has added plenty of new elements to keep people entertained. It's the gift that keeps on giving, and there's no reason to suggest that Haunted Chocolatier won't have a similar trajectory.
"I’ve been doing a lot of work on Haunted Chocolatier, and making good progress. Mostly, I’m working on core elements of the game. I will be doing this for a while. I don’t really feel like sharing much, because I’d rather let the game be a surprise than reveal everything. I just like working in secret." - Eric 'ConcernedApe' Barone, December 2021
Haunted Chocolatier Has No Release Date Yet, Which Isn't a Problem
After ConcernedApe paused development on Haunted Chocolatier to work on Stardew Valley's 1.6 update released in March, those eager to receive a release date for the former project may have been left disappointed. However, while the developer has earned the right to announce and release his next title whenever he sees fit, he also doesn't have to worry about the competitors that it will have to contend with, because it's coming off the back of a game that really helped to make farming simulators more commonplace and mainstream.
Stardew Valley has spawned similar games like Fae Farm and Potion Permit, which seem to be popping up frequently. Story of Seasons and Harvest Moon are also inspired by it. It's safe to say, then, that ConcernedApe is the trailblazer in 2024, and with that reputation comes anticipation for the next project among fans. Because of this, the developer has less pressure to release Haunted Chocolatier too early, when it's potentially not ready.
Worthwhile Competition is Hard to Come By for Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatier could be released on the same day as a half dozen other cozy indie games, and would likely still be the north star for fans of the genre. Stardew Valley being as good as it is means that ConcernedApe can release Haunted Chocolatier when he wants, and people will likely still vote with their wallets, which is a real advantage over its contemporaries.
Haunted Chocolatier
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Simulation
