Summary
Since the news thatStardew Valley’sdeveloper ConcernedApe is developing a new game calledHaunted Chocolatier, fans have been wildly speculating what the game could be about and whether it has connections to ConcernedApe’s 2016 hit. It is no secret that ConcernedApe’sStardew Valleybecame one of the industry’s best success stories, and it is interesting to see whatConcernedApe has in store withHaunted Chocolatier. However, based on fan feedback from everything shown so far, the game appears to be heading in the right direction.
Unfortunately for fans who have waited years for answers to their questions, ConcernedApe has been highly secretive aboutHaunted Chocolatierdetails, apart from one crucial piece of information. Previously, ConcernedApe teased thatHaunted ChocolatierandStardew Valleywould be connected somehow, and recent screenshots of the upcoming game seem to suggest that it may even share the same universe asStardew Valley.
RELATED:Haunted Chocolatier Has a High Bar to Clear With One Stardew Valley Mystery
Stardew Valley and Haunted Chocolatier May Be Located On Opposite Sides of the Same Mountain Range
One of the most apparent similarities betweenStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatierthat players will immediately notice is the similar graphical style of both games. Of course, given that much ofStardew Valley’spopularity stems from its nostalgic and old-school graphics, it is unsurprising that ConcernedApe is utilizing the same game design forHaunted Chocolatier. However, eagle-eyed fans spotted that one of the screenshots released by ConcenedApe forHaunted Chocolatiersuggests that the upcoming game’s location may be on the other side of the mountain range in whichStardew Valley’s Pelican Town is located.
Given the graphical style ofStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatier, it is possible that ConcernedApe only has a limited variety of ways to illustrate mountain ranges, so the similarity may be a coincidence. As expected,ConcernedApe remains tight-lipped regarding this speculation, which is unsurprising given that sharing little about the game’s development and allowing fans to speculate on their own has been beneficial toHaunted Chocolatier. It is worth remembering that beforeHaunted Chocolatier’sannouncement, the developer mentioned that it is working on projects set in theStardew Valleyuniverse. If this is the case, it is exciting to see whether ConcernedApe plans to introduce gameplay features that linkHaunted ChocolatiertoStardew Valley, such as appearances from Pelican Town villagers and being able to pursue a romantic relationship with them.
Haunted Chocolatier Could Be A Prequel to Stardew Valley
One of the most significant clues thatHaunted ChocolatierandStardew Valleyare set in the same universe is from an in-game screenshot posted by ConcernedApe on social media. The screenshot shows an older man in his bedroom, andStardew Valleyfans quickly pointed out thatthe old man looks eerily similar toStardew Valley’sgrandpa. To the uninitiated, the opening scene ofStardew Valleyshows the player’s grandpa in the late stage of his life, writing a letter stating his wish for the player to inherit his farm and revive it to its former glory. While the newest screenshot posted by ConcernedApe only showed a brief dialogue spoken by the mysterious old man that reads, “I was just having the most terrible dream.”, it did not provide any context as to who the old man is and what role he will play inHaunted Chocolatier.
It is worth pointing out that the release of this particular screenshot from Haunted Chocolatier, unaccompanied by any other images from the upcoming game, may hint at ConcernedApe’s intention to highlight the significance of the scene and spark fire to speculation that the old man in Haunted Chocolatier might indeed be the same as Stardew Valley’s grandpa.
If the old man in the latest screenshot is indeed the same grandpa fromStardew Valley, this not only strengthens the case that both games exist in the same universe, but also suggests thatHaunted Chocolatiermight be a prequel toStardew Valley. Fans would remember that afterStardew Valley’sopening scene, the grandpa passed away, leaving the farm in the hands of the grandchild. Given thatthe screenshot depicts the old man as very much alive, since he is still talking to an unknown character,Haunted Chocolatier’s events likely precedeStardew Valley, or at the very least, both games start shortly before the old man dies.
While it remains to be seen whetherStardew ValleyandHaunted Chocolatiershare the same universe, players could expect both games to be connected somehow, as ConcernedApe mentioned. At the moment, it appearsHaunted Chocolatierstill has a long way to go, which means it may take some time for fans to get answers to their burning questions. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that ConcernedApe devoted considerable time to developingStardew Valley, and its eventual success indicates that the developer is similarly investing time and effort intoHaunted Chocolatier.
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.
