In late 2021, indie developer Eric Barone (generally often known as ConcernedApe on-line), famed for single-handedly creating the magical Stardew Valley, formally introduced that he was growing an all-new sport. That sport known as Haunted Chocolatier, and it seems to be like an entire different world of enjoyable, informal simulation the place you discover out the key wishes of each single member of your neighborhood.
Details are nonetheless restricted — “I just like working in secret,” ConcernedApe reported in his final official progress replace — however don’t fear, loads of data has already dropped, and we’ll hold you up to date about each element so you already know what’s occurring.
Release date
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There is not any set launch date for Haunted Chocolatier, and it seems to be prefer it’s going to be in growth a bit longer than followers initially anticipated.
The most up-to-date replace on the sport’s progress comes from an interview Barone did with Screen Rant in December 2022. The interview centered on a collaboration between Barone and the indie-pop band Alvvays to make a music video for his or her tune “Many Mirrors,” however there have been additionally a number of Stardew Valley references and information about Haunted Chocolatier as properly. Here’s what Barone needed to say about his progress on Haunted Chocolatier:
“It’s going well, but it’s a big game. I have a big, ambitious vision for it. It’s a little bit daunting, the amount of work that it’s going to be. But Stardew Valley took me fou-and-a-half years; I’ve been working on Haunted Chocolatier for about a year and a half or maybe two years now. I announced it a little bit over a year ago, but it’s still gonna be a while. But I think it’s going good. So far. There’s a lot of good things so far.”‘
In April 2023, Barone tweeted that he was engaged on an replace to Stardew Valley and that he was taking a break from growing Haunted Chocolatier briefly. It seems that the break is over although — in October, he tweeted a number of new pictures from the sport.
If Haunted Chocolatier takes as lengthy to get to its last kind as Stardew Valley did, followers may not see the sport till 2025 on the earliest.
Platforms
ConcernedApe
Haunted Chocolatier will completely be popping out on PC, however there was no point out of different platforms.
Stardew Valley finally made its strategy to consoles and cellular, so we’re assuming Haunted Chocolatier can be available to all players as properly.
Trailers
ConcernedApe’s Haunted Chocolatier — Early Gameplay
We’ve solely seen a fast glimpse of Haunted Chocolatier in an early gameplay video launched in October 2021. The video exhibits residents going about their day in a comfy little city, a little bit little bit of fight as a personality gathers components within the wild, and a few chocolate-making footage from contained in the chocolate manufacturing facility.
Gameplay
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Haunted Chocolatier begins with the participant beginning up a chocolate store whereas residing in a haunted fort in the course of a snowy neighborhood. The participant might want to search all kinds of components and alliances to make the perfect chocolate attainable and finally attain success.
It’s not shocking simply how related the sport seems to be to Stardew Valley thus far. ConcernedApe has in contrast it to the vitality of the moon, as Stardew Valley was the vitality of the solar. The artwork type, motion, and interface are all recognizable right here. However, it’s being created in a brand new engine, which seems to permit for some essential additions. So far, there’s no data if it’s truly positioned in the identical world as Stardew Valley.
The simulation features
One of the issues individuals fell in love with in Stardew Valley was the power to take their time, get to know everybody locally, and make progress with a wide range of relationships (and farming, after all), what Barone calls a “town game.” Haunted Chocolatier can be extra of the identical, with related programs to offer presents, get to know characters, and progress relationships…or make errors.
Action and fight
Here’s the place Haunted Chocolatier splits from Stardew Valley in essential methods. There is a a lot larger emphasis on Action RPG options, and that features fight, which has an entire overhaul. There can be a wide range of weapons and shields, a full blocking system, a stun system linked with efficiently blocking enemies, and extra. This ought to make foraging makes an attempt and exploration an attention-grabbing a part of the sport for individuals who need a little bit extra motion of their chocolate-making plans.
Surprisingly, the fight within the sport might take a little bit of inspiration from Diablo II.
“When I was in the early stages of Haunted Chocolatier, I was playing a bunch of Diablo II. Getting loot and seeing your numbers go up on the stats? I like that stuff,” mentioned Barone in a December 2022 interview with Screen Rant. “I feel like a lot of Stardew Valley players aren’t that into it, but I’ve just got to do what I think is fun. And I think that’ll shine through in the game, if I’m excited about it.”
The soundtrack
Fans of Stardew Valley are little doubt wanting to know what kind of soothing tunes Haunted Chocolatier can have. Good information — it sounds nice thus far. You can take a look at the trailer to get an concept of what to anticipate. We most likely gained’t hear far more till the sport nears completion.
ConcernedApe’s Haunted Chocolatier — Early Gameplay
Multiplayer and co-op
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According to the FAQ part of the developer’s weblog, Haunted Chocolatier is being designed as a single-player sport with no plans for any type of multiplayer features.
Preorders
The sport remains to be probably a few years from launch, so there’s no probability to pre-order it simply but. We’ll hold you posted.
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