Haunted Chocolatier Needs to Go All-In on Ranged Weapons

Haunted Chocolatier Needs to Go All-In on Ranged Weapons

As a fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of Stardew Valley, I’m excited about ConcernedApe’s upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier. While it may share some similarities with its predecessor in terms of visuals and character interactions, the shift in focus towards combat is a welcome change that could set it apart.


After the success of one of 2016’s standout games, it’s a challenge to create something fresh and distinct. However, the unveiling of Haunted Chocolatier seems up to the task, offering a new experience with notable parallels to the previous title, such as comparable visuals, character dialogues, and mechanics. Yet, there are significant departures from Stardew Valley that will enable it to forge its own path and keep fans of ConcernedApe’s earlier work engaged with a new tone and diminished farming and foraging aspects.

In the game “Stardew Valley,” players engage in various activities such as socializing, fishing, and collecting. The upcoming title, “Haunted Chocolatier,” will place greater emphasis on another key aspect of “Stardew Valley” – its combat system. Since “Stardew Valley” features a significant amount of melee fighting with much slashing and button mashing, incorporating ranged weapons like slingshots, boomerangs, bows, and the like in “Haunted Chocolatier” could offer an intriguing twist, potentially even enriching “Stardew Valley” itself by ensuring its long-term success.

Haunted Chocolatier is Putting Emphasis on Combat

As a passionate gamer, I’m excited about the upcoming game, “Haunted Chocolatier,” from ConcernedApe, the brilliant solo developer behind “Stardew Valley.” To outdo the farming simulation masterpiece, he’s hinted that combat will take center stage in this new title. This implies more time spent battling rather than cultivating and managing a farm. Given the immense success of “Stardew Valley,” it goes without saying that the combat in “Haunted Chocolatier” needs to be exceptional to meet those expectations. To stand out, the game must boast diverse environments, adversaries, controls, and an array of weapons.

Ranged attacks offer a richer battle experience in Haunted Chocolatier by introducing complex enemy types and unique strategies. For instance, drawing inspiration from games such as The Legend of Zelda, where certain enemies can only be defeated by stunning them with a boomerang, adds depth to combat encounters. Introducing ranged weapons like firearms as standard equipment would shift the game’s genre, breaking stereotypes and offering players a fresh perspective on combat mechanics.

Ranged Weapons in Haunted Chocolatier is a Big Opportunity to Better Stardew Valley

One issue with the fighting in “Stardew Valley” is that it becomes monotonous after prolonged mine exploration due to its straightforward nature. In ConcernedApe’s initial game, there are no formidable enemies or bosses, resulting in a primarily repetitive combat experience. This essentially involves repeatedly tapping the attack button while using food items to restore energy and health as you progress through the mine levels. Although slingshots introduce some variety into combat by offering a ranged option, they pale in comparison to simply wielding a sword or club until an enemy is vanquished.

In the upcoming creation of the game developer, the players’ viewpoint remains at an elevated vantage point similar to the previous title. This opens up possibilities for enhancing combat encounters to leave lasting impressions, heighten difficulty levels, or boost player engagement. For instance, Haunted Chocolatier could introduce captivating boss battles, diverse settings, or innovative combat mechanics to bring about a noticeable enhancement. Introducing ranged attacks as an addition would be a strategic move that not only adds complexity but also injects excitement into the gameplay experience.

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2024-07-14 00:34