Summary
Haunted Chocolatieris expected to evolve several ofStardew Valley’s core mechanics. Though not a direct sequel,Haunted Chocolatierplace in the life sim genreis defined by its connection toStardew Valley, via their shared creator Eric Barone, AKA ConcernedApe. As such, the two ostensibly share a number of important similarities, from their pixelated art styles to their NPC relationship mechanics.
ButHaunted Chocolatieris shaping up to be a very different sort of game in other ways. For instance, Barone has gone on record aboutChocolatier’s heavier emphasis on combat, describing it as more of an action-RPG with life-sim elements, which of course is a major change fromStardew Valley. Then there’s the setting and premise, which are molded around the supernatural to a greater degree thanStardew Valley, a game that features such aspects in the background. With this shift in perspective and genre tendencies, there will naturally come quite a few meaningful distinctions from its spiritual predecessor, but there’s at least one RPG system fromStardew Valleythat needs to be held onto inHaunted Chocolatier.
Stardew Valley’s Progression Model Would Be Perfect for Haunted Chocolatier
Leveling Up in Stardew Valley Is Immersive and Satisfying
Stardew Valleyfeatures several RPG elementsthat enrich its broader life-sim formula, the leveling system being among the most effective. Rather than accruing XP and skill points before allocating them toward specific abilities or stats,Stardew Valleyincorporates a far more organic system, wherein players will progress across the following vectors, depending on how they choose to spend their time in-game:
If a player dedicates most of their time to exploring the mines and fighting monsters, for instance, then they will naturally develop the Mining and Combat skills more than others. For each increment in the skills' respective progression paths, players will gain access to new crafting recipes and the occasional perk, while also gaining proficiency with skill-specific tools, decreasing their energy cost. There is no omnipresent progress bar or intrusive series of “level up” notifications. Rather, the rewards are revealed to players as they sleep in the game, making the process feel seamless and natural. It’s one ofStardew’s best and most underappreciated features,and more than deserving of a reprisal.
Why Stardew Valley’s Leveling System Works So Well
The way thatStardew Valleyhandles leveling is indicative of its expert blend of various genres. As a life sim, it’s crucial thatStardewnot be too overwhelming, allowing players to enter the relaxed flow state of micromanagement that is central to the genre. At the same time, constant progression helps the game feel rewarding. Thus, making a leveling system that automatically forms around the player’s actions strikes a good balance, keeping players engaged in the flow of the game while still giving them a sense of progress.
It’s also an unsung hero for immersion. In real life, people will naturally improve the skills they nurture most consistently; self-improvement isn’t a matter of transferable, fungible resources that can be applied to whatever one wishes. Thus,Stardew Valley’s leveling systemis more true-to-life, while also rewarding those who stick to a specific task or subject long-term. Conversely, it encourages full-spectrum engagement with the game’s systems, as interaction with skill-specific activities is the only way to raise those stats and unlock key perks.
This sort of progression system could greatly bolsterHaunted Chocolatier’s balance of combat, business management, and resource-gathering elements. Indeed,Chocolatierwill seemingly ask players to wear many different hats, so allowing lateral movement within specific compartments can ensure diverse and well-rounded approaches to gameplay, while simultaneously rewarding players in an organic and satisfying way.
Haunted Chocolatier
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
