ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier has teased a stronger focus on combat compared to Stardew Valley. While there's still plenty of room for the upcoming title to feature many different gameplay paths like the game before it, fans do know that they can fight enemies to gather ingredients for their chocolate. However, thanks to special doorways, there's room for players to explore more locations in Haunted Chocolatier than just a few mines and dungeons.
Considering Haunted Chocolatier is once again being made by a solo developer, there may be a few corners cut for the sake of time and ease. One of the biggest ways that Eric Barone, aka ConcernedApe, could cut development time is by reusing assets from Stardew Valley. There's no shame in that; all sorts of games, including AAA ones, make sure to recycle models and sprites all the time when they can. Haunted Chocolatier has already used this trick according to its early gameplay trailer; keen eyes can spot slimes from Stardew Valley as one of the enemies players can fight. This begs the question as to which Stardew Valley enemies could come back in Haunted Chocolatier, and there are a few notable ones that'd work well.
Haunted Chocolatier's Ideal Release Date May Already Be Clear
The wait for Haunted Chocolatier might be long, but there is one upcoming date that seems primed to be the perfect launch target.
Stardew Valley Enemies That Would Work Great in Haunted Chocolatier
Duggys
This little mole-like creature found in the mines of Pelican Town is simplistic in both appearance and battle. When standing on specific dirt patches in the mines, it can pop out and deal damage to players who happen to stand on it. Against the slimes, bugs, and bats found in Stardew Valley's caverns, duggys are an enemy that gets players wondering what other sorts of monsters are waiting to be found as they dive deeper. Bringing duggys and their many variations back for Haunted Chocolatier can either be a happy Easter egg surprise for ConcernedApe's fans, or keep the wonder going in a melancholic yet whimsical new experience for others.
Rock Crabs
Alongside slimes and duggys, the rock crabs are another interesting starting enemy in Stardew Valley. There's a chance that when players strike rocks (or ore, in the case of the higher level variants) the prop will seemingly grow legs and try to crawl away. Rock crabs are exactly what they say on the tin: crabs that are attached to rocks. Mining Stardew Valley players will need to hit them repeatedly to defeat them; the rocks acts as a sturdy defense for their low HP. Compared to other enemies, like the grubs and cave flies, rock crabs are not only a fun enemy to encounter, but they're also not nearly as annoying to fight.
Wilderness Golems
Golems are tried and true video game enemies, but the wilderness golems change things in a way that sticks out from the rest. Where stone and iridium golems wander around in the mines, those who encounter monsters on their farm will see wilderness golems instead. Wilderness golems seem to be made out of grass rather than stone, and they have a unique walk cycle that makes them seem tired. Outside of specific side quests, these enemies can only be encountered if players choose the wilderness farm for their Stardew Valley file. These enemies would fit right in with the forest and meadow-like areas that Haunted Chocolatier has shown off already.
Haunted Chocolatier is No 'Stardew Valley 2', and That's a Great Thing
Though little information has been revealed about Haunted Chocolatier, it's clear that ConcernedApe's next title won't be a Stardew Valley sequel.
Pepper Rex
Dinosaurs were always one of the more surprising things to find while mining or tilling the worms that appear on the ground occasionally. Stardew Valley has a grounded vibe for even its most fantastical themes, so when a dinosaur egg finds its way into a player's inventory, it's a bit of a shock. There's no better way to renew this feeling for the more mystical Haunted Chocolatier than including a new, perhaps candy-themed Pepper Rex enemy for fans to find.
Magma Sprite and Sparkler
Flame enemies may be just as normal as slimes, but Stardew Valley's magma sprite and magma sparkler enemies are arguably a sight for sore eyes in their only location, the Lava Dungeon. The rest of the monsters on that floor aren't friendly in both looks and behavior. The magma sprite and magma sparkler enemies are cute, perfect for lulling a player into a false sense of security during one of Stardew Valley's biggest challenges. Haunted Chocolatier will need similar enemies later in the game, but these two fit in so many situations that it would make sense if fans saw them again sooner rather than later. These two enemies would be perfect with pop rock ingredient drops to adjust to the newer title's theme as well.
Squid Kids
While many of the enemies listed here bring out wonder and surprise, the squid kids in Stardew Valley might bring out more emotions than that. The "squid kids" are one of the final enemies players can encounter at the bottom of the mines, and despite the name, they look like floating faces that shoot fireballs. It's one of Stardew Valley's strangest enemies, if not the weirdest on its own. The squid kids and their bizarre nature make them the perfect candidate to reprise their role in Haunted Chocolatier in a late-game cameo. Letting players go through the entire game thinking the squid kids weren't in Haunted Chocolatier only to find them in the last area sounds like the exact humor ConcernedApe slips into his games.
Stardew Valley and its frequent updates may have come to an end for now, but Barone has plenty of space to show off what the farming simulator taught him in Haunted Chocolatier. Whenever the candy-centric game releases, fans shouldn't walk in expecting it to wear Stardew Valley on its sleeve. Haunted Chocolatier is likely going to be its own experience with a bit of what's familiar thrown in. Whether this means more foes from the mines will return remains to be seen, so fans should stay tuned for future updates.
- Developer(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
- ConcernedApe
- Engine
- MonoGame
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Simulation
