Barone announced Haunted Chocolatier back in 2021, but amid ongoing work on his phenomenally successful Stardew Valley, progress on the follow-up has been slow going. Indeed, in June, Barone admitted to feeling somewhat embarrassed to have to keep on saying he was still working away on the game. “Feels kinda dumb posting this same thing over and over, but that’s the reality,” he said at the time.
In a new interview with GQ (thanks, Eurogamer), Barone touched on what to expect from Haunted Chocolatier when it eventually comes out, and it sounds more different from Stardew Valley than I had expected. It’s set in a more “metaphysical” locale, for a start, and in terms of gameplay it’s more of an action RPG.
“It is still what I call a town game,” Barone said, “But it’s more of an action RPG — the main focus is more about adventuring, finding equipment and getting more powerful. There are monsters, there are boss fights. It’s for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines. That’s what I do, honestly.”
Getting Earthbound vibes from the screenshot. Nice.
I trust Barone.
I’m already buying it, he doesn’t have to keep selling it harder
Does anyone know if it takes place in the same universe as Stardew?
Does it take place in the world of Stardew Valley?
I’m not ready to reveal anything like that just yet.
I hope it is!
Aww, that’s disappointing, but thanks for doing the leg work on that issue.
There have been a lot of speculation based on trailers. For example, it looks like there is a Qi fruit in the background, so I’d bet they are linked somehow.
I’m hoping that they are and that at some point there will be be a dlc that links the two games together so you can kind of do it all.
Yes! That would be so cool!
I hope it’s something that unlocks as an endgame feature kind of like in pokemon gold letting you revisit the first games region.
If it’s not official I promise that modders will do it immediately anyway 😂
I hope he refined the combat mechanics in Chocalatier, cause the combat part of Stardew Valley is something I would describe as awkward and mid but serviceable in a game where combat isn’t the main focus.
So more like Recettear? Nice, love it!
Nice, I’ve never heard of this one and now it’s waiting patiently on my wishlist. Thanks!
Take your time, Eric. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
It looks pretty nice
I really adore how it looks like Stardew Valley. Makes me nostalgic for a game I haven’t even played yet!
I had forgotten about the game! Looking forward to it whenever it’s eventually released.
Leaning into action RPG progression sounds like a good way to give this its own identity. A town to return to between expeditions could make that loop especially satisfying.
Looks exactly the same than Stardew Valley…
It is the same creator after all haha
