One of Stardew Valley‘s more bare-bones features could be in line for a serious upgrade in Haunted Chocolatier. Granted, Stardew Valley in many ways laid out a blueprint for Haunted Chocolatier to achieve its own success. ConcernedApe already knows how to make good social encounters, day-to-day chore mechanics, and competent combat. Those aren’t the only areas that can be expanded upon for the next game though. Stardew Valley had at least one cool idea that didn’t get used to its full potential, and Haunted Chocolatier can pick up from where it left off to deliver something truly sensational.
Of course, Haunted Chocolatier matching Stardew Valley‘s quality is an obvious goal to aim for, but the key may lie in where else the game can go. The game has already given players plenty of reason to expect some wild new possibilities from early revelations alone. In the most obvious example, the game’s very theme being heavily tied to ghosts implies that players can expect even more supernatural phenomena in this game. In addition, the promised greater emphasis on combat implies a few more mechanics that players will have to learn. It’s an exciting prospect to imagine what else Haunted Chocolatier may have to offer.
Related
Haunted Chocolatier’s Release Strategy Needs to Differ From Stardew Valley in One Way
It’s unclear when Haunted Chocolatier will be ready, but the game will hopefully avoid Stardew Valley’s complex release strategy.
Haunted Chocolatier Can Do More With Trinkets Than Stardew Valley Did
Stardew Valley’s Trinkets Had Unique, Useful Effects
Players may recall Stardew Valley‘s collectible trinkets, which they can find once they have achieved combat mastery. Each trinket grants the player a unique bonus when equipped. For example, the Basilisk Paw will make the player immune to all debuffs while equipped, while the Fairy Box summons a fairy that will heal the farmer when they take damage. The effects of most trinkets are pretty strong, which is balanced by the fact that they don’t appear until very late in the game. While they aren’t the biggest part of Stardew Valley, players who find them will notice their usefulness.
Trinkets Were Few in Number in Stardew Valley
One thing that sets trinkets apart from Stardew Valley‘s other wardrobe items is their scarcity. There are only eight trinkets in the game:
- Basilisk Paw
- Fairy Box
- Frog Egg
- Golden Spur
- Ice Rod
- Magic Hair Gel
- Magic Quiver
- Parrot Egg
Even with the trinkets having good effects, the fact that there are so few of them can leave a player wanting more. This is an area where Haunted Chocolatier can truly shine. The game’s supernatural theme can lend itself to a wide variety of new trinkets, and as a result, they could be an even bigger part of Haunted Chocolatier‘s gameplay.
Haunted Chocolatier Can Go Big With Its Own Take on Trinkets
A wider selection of trinket effects is another way that Haunted Chocolatier could see a big upgrade over Stardew Valley. Out of Stardew Valley‘s eight trinkets, three of them had the effect of summoning a familiar. Haunted Chocolatier, in addition to more trinkets, can also create more unique effects, playing into the trinkets’ rarity. Some new trinkets could increase the player’s mining yields, or add elemental effects to their attacks while equipped. Each trinket should feel like it adds something truly special to the player’s kit. Haunted Chocolatier should be more than capable of providing the player with a wide array of exciting artifacts.
Haunted Chocolatier still has a lot more to show, and that hopefully includes new trinkets. Improving on Stardew Valley‘s features is something that ConcernedApe can focus on while developing Haunted Chocolatier, at least regarding features common to both games. As a whole, trinkets were a good yet fairly underused idea in Stardew Valley. Haunted Chocolatier can come in and do a lot more with the concept due to its impressive potential. There is an opportunity for Haunted Chocolatier to go wild with its own version of Stardew Valley‘s trinkets.
Haunted Chocolatier
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.
- Platform(s)
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Microsoft Windows
- Released
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2025-00-00
- Engine
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MonoGame
- ESRB
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e