Stardew Valleyis the idyllic farm simulator that drew in millions of fans for its visually pleasing aesthetic and lovable cast of characters. However, it also has its fair share of mysteries — mysteries thatHaunted Chocolatiershould delve into.
Five years afterStardew Valley’s initial release, ConcernedApe announced a new game in development calledHaunted Chocolatier. According to the developer, the goal was to explore more fantastical elements with this new game. WhileStardew Valleyfocused on nature, this game would lean more on magic and the unknown.
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The Magical Mysteries of Stardew Valley
WhileStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatieraresimilar in their visual design, the latter will likely have a bit of a darker (but still cozy) aesthetic. This is showcased in the game’s early gameplay trailer, with the moody halls of the mansion and the snowy cobblestone paths of the new town. It creates the perfect setting to solve some of the more mystical questions raised inStardew Valley.
For instance,Haunted Chocolatieris in an ideal position toexplore the magical elementspresent inStardew Valley. Creatures like crop fairies, witches, wizards, and more are present in the farm simulator but never explained. Moreover, while Junimos play a central role inStardew Valley’s narrative, nothing much is known about them apart from the fact that they’re forest spirits.Haunted Chocolatiercould delve a little deeper into the lore of these magical entities and potentially explain how they came to be and what abilities they have.
Aside from the overtly magical elements ofStardew Valley, there are also subtler mysteries that raise questions among the fanbase. In particular, players are still confused about what’smaking the strange sounds at night. The noises sound like a voice howling out in pain and are often heard during rainy nights. Could these be the pleas of spirits?Haunted Chocolatiermay be able to answer that question since the player gets helps from a bunch of chocolate-loving ghosts.
Haunted Chocolatier Can’t Tackle Them All
ConcernedApe’s new game is poised to deepen the lore that was first introduced inStardew Valley. However, it can’t provide answers to all the mysteries. This is because it seemsHaunted Chocolatierwill take place in a different village, not Pelican Town. So thecharacters thatStardewfans fell in love with— including the more mysterious ones — might not make an appearance in the new game.
This change in setting also means thatHaunted Chocolatiermight not delve into location-based mysteries,particularly those relating to the Skull Cavern. For example, the strange plaques that are found in its depths are filled with strange, indecipherable symbols. Though the community has come up with potential translations, these might not be confirmed anytime soon.
If anything,Haunted Chocolatiermay provide the community with more questions than answers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, these mysteries are what make ConcernedApe’s fictional worlds so intriguing. It adds depth to a seemingly normal world, makingthe upcomingHaunted Chocolatierall the more interesting, and it’s that depth that pulls players in.
That beingsaid, it wouldn’t hurt to give players a deeper look into the more fantastical aspects of theworld whereStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatiertake place. What other mystical creatures are there? How does magic work? And can the player wield it? With ConcernedApe revealing little about the development process, fans are left to dwell on the possibilities. Though one thing’s for sure: The community can’t wait to get their hands onHaunted Chocolatier— mysteries and all.
