Role-playing games have long included collection mechanics, tasking players with acquiring and cataloging numerous in-game items, creatures, foods, and more.Stardew Valleyis no exception to this, allowing players to collect and record a number of things in Pelican Town, tracking things like crops and recipes within personal stats. ButStardew Valleyalso has a more overt collection system through the museum, requiring players to donate artifacts and gems to their local library in order to progress certain story elements.
The museum in Pelican Town is a big aspect ofStardew Valley’s community-building, becoming a popular feature among players who enjoy watching the empty shelves of the library fill up over time. As the newest project from developer Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone,Haunted Chocolatieris getting slowly further along in development, leavingStardew Valleyfans to continue speculating about what similarities the two games may have. From promotional images and trailers, it seems that the collection mechanics of the museum willlive on inHaunted Chocolatier’s confectionary shop.
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Amassing a Sweet Collection in Haunted Chocolatier
Haunted Chocolatieris not a sequel toStardew Valley, though the two games share clear similarities. The art style and early looks at gameplay seem to demonstrate what ConcernedApe established inStardew Valley, butHaunted Chocolatierhas a heavier focus on adventuring, the supernatural, and shopkeeper mechanics.Stardew Valley’s combat and mine exploration provide the main source of artifacts and gems that players can donate to the museum, so it seems likely players will attain collectibles similarly inHaunted Chocolatierthrough defeating enemies, digging for treasure, and excavating areas like mines.
Haunted Chocolatierplayers will be running a confectionary shop, and information released by ConcernedApe already shows there will be a large catalog of chocolates and sweets to cook up and potentially sell. It seems likely thatHaunted Chocolatier’s version ofStardew Valley’s museum and community center mechanics will revolve around these special desserts and their ingredients. Players may need to collect various spooky ingredients to progress story elements, or might be required to create and display completed treats in their chocolate shops akin to how thePelican Town museum displays donated items.
Haunted Chocolatierplayers seem to reside inside of a large, haunted manor house. This grandiose residence could very well contain its own library or museum that players have to fill with loot they find during their adventures. It’s also possible that the collection mechanic could take a less physical form, instead making up entries in a supernatural recipe book that players earn rewards for completing. It’s even possible that both of these collection mechanics and more could appear at once, sinceStardew Valleyimplemented several ways for players to collect and catalog items including the museum, community center, Mr. Qi’s quests, personal catalogs, and more.
WhileStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatierare set to be very different games, similarities could be found in a number ofgameplay aspects like emulatingStardew Valley’s JojaMartor the romance options found in Pelican Town. Barone has a clear style in his art and game development, and that isn’t a bad thing -Stardew Valleyis a beloved game, so fans will likely look for the things they enjoyed most aboutStardew Valleywhen they begin playing the upcoming title.Haunted Chocolatierdoesn’t yet have a release date, but as official art and information continue to release, it’s likely additional analogs between the two games will arise.
Haunted Chocolatieris in development.
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