Game developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, has shed more light on what fans can expect from his upcomingHaunted Chocolatiergame. In a recent interview, he discussed the unexpected inspiration for the game, game development progress, gameplay expectations, and more.
TheStardew Valleycreator has been working on hisnew indie gameHaunted Chocolatiersince 2020. The game is still in early development. The game will follow the story of a chocolatier living in a haunted castle. Players will have to gather ingredients, create chocolate confections, and sell them in their shop.
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One aspect Barone has made clear about the game from the beginning is that fans can expect adifferent gaming experience inHaunted ChocolatierfromStardew Valley. He hinted in the interview that due to the different nature of the game, there’s “a lot of wiggle room there to add crazy stuff. And I think it’ll fit within the theming of the game, so it won’t feel out of place.” Supposedly,Haunted Chocolatierwill up the ante and focus more on magic and combat. Barone summed this up by saying: “What if I made a game that was like the mines inStardew Valley, but fully fleshed out and done really well?”
Barone also mentioned other surprisinginspirational sources forHaunted Chocolatier. Don’t be surprised to seeDiablo 2qualities in gameplay. Barone stated that he was “playing a bunch ofDiablo 2” duringHaunted Chocolatier’searly development. “Getting loot and seeing your numbers go up on the stats? I like that stuff,” he said.
As for the core gameplay ofHaunted Chocolatier? Barone stated: “I think the core of the game is actually gathering ingredients; that’s the biggest part of the game.” Eventually, players will have ghost assistants to help them run the shop, but going out and gathering ingredients to make chocolate for the shop is the overall goal of the game so far. Barone stated thatHaunted Chocolatieris coming along well in development, but “it’s still gonna be a while” before its release.
With previously released details included, the game seems to suggest a familiar but different experience in store for fans of Barone’s previous work. It’s a gamble for Barone as he is trying something new with this project, but so far fans have expressed positive excitement towardHaunted Chocolatiergameplaydetails. Admittedly, the idea of a haunted castle inhabited by ghouls and a humble chocolatier just trying to do his job is an interesting story concept to mix with combat and magic. It remains to be seen if Barone will be able to pull these eclectic ideas together to make a coherent game. However, the interviews and released screenshots show promise thatHaunted Chocolatierwill possibly be a hauntingly sweet masterpiece.
Haunted Chocolatieris currently in development.
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