In the world of cozy games, few are as hotly anticipated as Haunted Chocolatier, the new title from Stardew Valley‘s Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone. It was recently revealed that Barone posted a new screenshot. As expected, the artistic pixel work of the game is outstanding. More importantly, it also confirmed an oft debated point of inclusion: a fishing mechanic. Like many of Barone’s prior games, fishing will be present, but he aims to improve it this time around.
A Peek into the Gameplay
The most recent screenshot of Haunted Chocolatier showcases a beautifully intricate pixel art treehouse set within an engaging and immersive environment. It is exciting that the fans have already started speculating the presence of water and fishing in the game. Barone has not entirely refuted the speculations as he confirmed, “there is fishing”.
The stamp of approval is important. Fishing in Stardew Valley was considered to be overly complex and tedious, especially for PC gamers. Barone has himself admitted that the mechanic “starts out too hard”. This has raised hopes that the fishing in Haunted Chocolatier will be easier and more fun to use.
Taking Notes from Stardew Valley’s Missteps
In Stardew Valley, fishing is done by following a fast moving fish icon with a green bar that is controlled by a mouse or a gamepad. Many players found this bad and frustrating, especially before the game provided upgrades that allow the bar to be larger. For Haunted Chocolatier, this is a good chance to rectify this fishing mini game. Community suggestions include the more player-friendly and engaging tired-out fish reeling progression or other interactive methods.
The fishing inclusion in Haunted Chocolatier is not merely a reference to Stardew Valley, but rather an opportunity to enrich a cherished staple. Barone has mentioned that he wants to allow players a chance to achieve “multiple paths to reach the same goal,” be it through intuitive chocolate crafting or side activities like fishing.
Progress and Challenges of Development
With all of the announced releases, Haunted Chocolatier’s development has been a bit behind schedule. Barone has opened up about how he has needed to put Haunted Chocolatier on hold while he worked on the Stardew Valley 1.6 update. What started as a technical update for Stardew Valley “snowballed into a pretty substantial amount of new content”. According to him, Haunted Chocolatier has been “gathering dust on the shelf,” but he continues to reinforce that he has not abandoned the project.
Prior to this break, he worked on Haunted Chocolatier’s “vertical slice,” or what he referred to as a skeleton with most of its bones. His following actions involve refining the elements, adding the rest, and expanding on the content. Just like Stardew Valley, Barone is the sole developer of Haunted Chocolatier and is building the game from scratch using C#.
A Larger World and Deeper Gameplay
One of the most thrilling bits of news concerning Haunted Chocolatier is that it’s world will be “larger than Stardew Valley””. While Barone hasn’t explained whether this is map size, content volume, or a combination of both, it suggests a more immersive experience. Considering that Stardew Valley offers tens of hours of gameplay, this is exciting news for fans.
Haunted Chocolatier will be more action-RPG oriented than Stardew Valley, with an emphasis on combat. The game will have mechanics like shields that allow players to block and stun some enemies, encouraging more patient playstyles. However, Barone does stress that the game will still be a life simulation game at its core, with players gathering ingredients, making chocolate, and managing a chocolate store.
The Philosophy Behind Chocolate Making
In a blog post, Barone talked about his design philosophy for Haunted Chocolatier and specifically focused on chocolate making. He intends to provide several ways to make chocolates, one being “intuitive” and whimsical, and the others more conventional and mechanical. This thinking fits his intention to allow players make the game as they like, be it through creativity or efficiency.
It’s important to mention the theme of Haunted Chocolatier as well. It has Barone’s intention of being “positive, uplifting, and life-affirming”. While it features ghosts and a haunted castle, he describes it as channeling “the energy of the moon” compared to Stardew Valley’s sun-like energy, which suggests a more mystical, but equally heartfelt experience.
What Is Next for Haunted Chocolatier?
There is no release date for Haunted Chocolatier. Stating that he won’t rush the game, Barone intends to maintain creative freedom by skipping early access, crowdfunding, and pre-orders. He has joked that “the goal” by 2030 is a possibility, but he can’t guarantee it.
Fans, in spite of delays, remain eagerly patient. Barone’s dedication to quality, along with the promise of a larger world and refined mechanics, maintain high expectations. While more details are sure to come as development resumes, the community is currently enjoying the new screenshot and fishing confirmation as sweet treats.
Conclusion
Haunted Chocolatier appears to be a capable follow-up to “Stardew Valley,” and has its own unique features and refinements. The added fishing mechanic, along with the breathtaking new screenshot, has only further increased excitement. As we wait, the fans can rest easy knowing that Barone has made the commitment to deliver a game that is, “very fun and compelling, in every aspect”.
Source: https://gamerant.com/haunted-chocolatier-new-screenshot-fishing/
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