Since its surprise announcement last year,Haunted Chocolatierhas remained largely mysterious. The follow-up to the unexpectedly popular hitStardew Valleywill have the look and feel of its predecessor, butHaunted Chocolatiershifts the focus from a farming simulator to running a chocolate shop and exploring a brand-new town. Using the same art style asStardew Valley, the shop simHaunted Chocolatierwill feature helpful ghosts, neighbors to befriend, and some more supernatural elements that give the game an air of mystery and magic.
The second game from the one-person development team ConcernedApe has reportedly been in development since 2020, but developer Eric Barone says there’s still a long way to go. It seemsplayers won’t seeHaunted Chocolatierany time soon, and despite some screenshots, hints, and limited details released regarding the upcoming game, fans don’t have much to go on. While gamers wait to get their hands on ConcernedApe’s next title, there are a bunch of games with a similar vibe that they can check out to scratch thatHaunted Chocolatieritch.
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Stardew Valley
If players haven’t yet managed to playConcernedApe’s first gameStardew Valley, they should definitely give it a go before the release ofHaunted Chocolatier. While there are plenty of farming simulators around, not many of them have the depth ofStardew Valley, which offers everything from creature combat, romances to pursue, and mysteries to solve as players establish their farms and tend their crops.Stardew Valleyis a carefully constructed and thought-out game, with ConcernedApe’s attention to detail clear in every pixel. The characters that the player can get to know are nuanced and diverse, and the gameplay is as fun as it is rewarding. There’s a reasonStardew Valleyhas had such a profound impact and inspired many other titles, and it’s a must-play for management sim fans.
Little Dragon’s Cafe
For any gamers wanted to practice their shop management skills before playingHaunted Chocolatierand attempting to run a successful confectionery shop, they should giveLittle Dragon’s Cafea try. The strategy game follows a pair of twins as they try to manage a cafe and features adorable characters and charmingly simplistic gameplay. The design issimilar to someHarvest Moongames, but minus the farming element. Players must craft tasty dishes, manage their ingredients, and take care of their customers, all while raising a dragon. While not the most challenging of games,Little Dragon’s Cafeis comforting and carefree, with a sweet central concept and a cute cast of characters.
Starbound
Starboundis a game that offers players a lot of freedom, and gamers can really craft their own story. From fighting galactic forces to ignoring the calls of a heroic adventure and settling down to farm the land,Starboundhas it all. Exploration is a key element of the game, with players able to travel from planet to planet, discover hidden treasures, uncover mysteries, and even construct castles once they’ve fixed their damaged ship.Starboundoffers something a little differentfrom the earth-based action ofHaunted Chocolatier, but the look and feel of the game aren’t far away from ConcernedApe’s style and could offer a gameplay experience with more of a sci-fi focus ahead of the game’s launch.
Graveyard Keeper
One of the ways thatHaunted Chocolatiersignals a departure fromStardew Valleyis how the game is doubling down on its spookier elements. From ghostly shop helpers to creepy buildings to explore,Haunted Chocolatieris not afraid to embrace the darker side. Another game thatwears its spookiness on its sleeve isGraveyard Keeper– a management sim inspired byStardew Valleythat sees the player transported to a medieval fantasy world to oversee a cemetery. Gamers complete quests for NPC, develop their plot of land, and unlock new technologies as they progress, leveling up their character and the graveyard they manage. The kooky tone and central premise add toGraveyard Keeper’s charms, even if the gameplay doesn’t really break any new ground.
Eastward
Eastwardis an indie action-adventure RPG that ticks all the right boxes, from its gorgeous 2D art style to its challenging dungeons. The game follows John and Sam as they travel through a world that’s crumbling around them in an attempt to uncover the mystery of Sam’s abilities and the reason their society is on the brink of collapse.Haunted Chocolatierlooks like it will have its own fair share of mysteries to unravel, andEastward’s story-driven gameplayseems like the perfect way to prep for the game’s release. The quirky characters that litter the in-game world add toEastward’s enjoyability, and there’s so much to explore and engage with throughout the game.
