Haunted Chocolatier is the upcoming game from Eric Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley. The game’s release date is already on the minds of players who are curious to see what Barone has in store this time around.
The game is an RPG/simulation title that shares some similarities with its predecessor. However, instead of focusing on farming, Haunted Chocolatier takes a different approach, featuring a theme of “magical haunted ghost chocolate.” In this article, we’ll discuss everything we know about the game, including its release date, gameplay, story, and more.
Haunted Chocolatier Release Date
Haunted Chocolatier does not currently have a release date and developer ConcernedApe notes that ” it will be a while before this game is done.” Work on the title began in 2020 and, as of its announcement in October 2021, it is still “relatively early in development.”
In late 2021, the developer shared two additional screenshots while noting that work on the game’s core elements continues.
In April 2023, the developer confirmed that he would be taking a break from developing Haunted Chocolatier to prioritize Stardew Valley’s update 1.6.
As work on the update continued, a new screenshot depicting a character resembling a wizard was shared, albeit without any new details about a potential release date.
Estimated Release Date: 2025 - 2026
Haunted Chocolatier Story
In Haunted Chocolatier, you play as a chocolatier living in a haunted castle, having to gather rare ingredients, use them in various chocolate recipes, which you then sell in your chocolate shop. As you can tell, there’s a bit more chocolate involved than in Stardew Valley.
“Chocolate represents that which is delightful. The haunted castle represents the allure of the unknown. The ghosts represent the imprint of the past. All of these things are important. However, don’t think for a moment that, because this game features ghosts in a haunted castle, it is an evil or negative game,” the developer wrote in the post announcing the game.
“On the contrary, I intend for this game to be positive, uplifting and life-affirming. However, if Stardew Valley mostly channeled the energy of the sun, Haunted Chocolatier channels the energy of the moon. Both are vital.”
Haunted Chocolatier is also confirmed to include references to Stardew Valley, but Barone hasn’t decided yet “how deep the connection will be exactly.”
Haunted Chocolatier Gameplay
Haunted Chocolatier’s gameplay will feature familiar elements, like moving into a new town, interacting with the townsfolk, and rebuilding your life around a new trade. At the same time, “the core gameplay and theming are quite a bit different,” according to the developer. “Haunted Chocolatier is more of an action-RPG compared to Stardew Valley. And instead of a farm being the focal point of your endeavors, it’s a chocolate shop.”
The gameplay trailer found below showcases some of its exploration, crafting, gathering, and combat, all rendered using pixel art that should feel quite familiar to anyone who’s played ConcernedApe’s previous game. Currently, there are no plans to include a multiplayer component.
“Almost everything” in Haunted Chocolatier is built from scratch, according to the developer. The game focuses more on combat than its predecessors and players can use shields to block attacks, sometimes stunning the opponent, in turn allowing them to attack faster.
You won’t have to rely on this strategy alone, though, and there will be other off-hand items to use, catering to different playstyles.
On October 4, 2023, a set of four screenshots depicting both interior and exterior locations was shared.
One of the images shows a character using a bow and arrow to attack a plantlike enemy that looks very surprised by the whole endeavor.
Haunted Chocolatier System Requirements
There’s no word on Haunted Chocolatier’s system requirements just yet. Given its pixel art visuals, we don’t expect it to require cutting-edge hardware, but we’ll know for sure closer to launch.
Where can I buy Haunted Chocolatier and how much will it cost?
Haunted Chocolatier’s price is currently obscured by a thick layer of ghostly chocolate. The developer has confirmed that the game is coming to PC but has “every intention of bringing it to the other major platforms as well.”
Haunted Chocolatier Trailer
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