Summary
For decades, farm life sims have leaned heavily on a familiar narrative trope, where the player inherits a farm or business that must be restored to its former glory.FromHarvest MoontoStardew Valley, the premise has become a rather comfortable storytelling strategy, and risks feeling repetitive if kept up — assuming it isn’t already seen as such. Now, the upcoming release of Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’sHaunted Chocolatierhas a chance to turn that trope on its head by offering something the genre isn’t known for.
Despite having similar gameplay elements, there is enough that is unique aboutHaunted Chocolatierthat it could go in a different direction with its story than life-sim games likeStardew ValleyandHarvest Moonhave. Of course,Haunted Chocolatieralready stands out with its promise of running a chocolate shop haunted by friendly spirits, blending cozy gameplay with supernatural mystery. However, this is arguably why it should also explore an “origin” story that sets it apart even further from the games it shares a genre with.
Haunted Chocolatier Should Avoid Stardew Valley’s Inheritance Trope
Stardew Valley Begins as an Inheritance Story
Just as is the case withHarvest Moon, whichStardew Valleyis based on,Stardew Valleyis an inheritance story in its premise. The game’s story begins with the player inheriting their grandfather’s old farm in the rural community of Pelican Town, after which players are essentially set free and allowed to play the game as they please. The inheritance of the farm serves as the catalyst for the player leaving behind a monotonous corporate job to start a new life focused on farming, community building, and personal growth.
Again, while the inheritance sets upStardew Valley’s narrative, the story is less about the legacy of the farm itself and more about how the player chooses to shape their life and relationships within the town. The freedom to customize and develop the farm, build relationships, and explore the world is what drives the overall experience ofStardew Valley, rather than focusing on the inheritance itself. In its earliest days, theHarvest Moonfranchise required players to restore their farm to a certain point within a specific time period, which is whyStardew Valley’s more free-form approach has been met with praise.
Despite its willingness to allow players to play the game the way they see fit, as opposed to being tied down to its inheritance premise,Stardew Valleyhas nonetheless preserved the inheritance story tradition that farm life sims have been doing for decades now, soHaunted Chocolatiermight be better off avoiding that to give players something more unique.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Story Should Be as Dark and Mysterious as Its Premise
GivenHaunted Chocolatier’s premise, perhaps its story and player character’s introduction should be just as dark and mysterious. Specifically, rather than seeing the player character simply inheriting a chocolate factory from their late grandfather,Haunted Chocolatiercould set up the story in a way that might be considered “off brand” for a farm life sim.
Perhaps the player character is a chocolatier from another world, and upon stepping into a mysterious portal, they happen upon the deprivedsetting ofHaunted Chocolatier, where the only thing they have to offer the quaint town is their expertise at making chocolate. The player then brings prosperity to the once dilapidated town by drawing people from the surrounding area, where news of the player’s chocolate has spread.
Rather than seeing the player character simply inheriting a chocolate factory from their late grandfather,Haunted Chocolatiercould set up the story in a way that might be considered “off brand” for a farm life sim.
On the other hand, perhapsHaunted Chocolatiercould make the inheritance story work, but not from a relative. Maybe the player character stumbles upon the chocolate confectionery shop during a stormy night in an unfamiliar town and is compelled to stay by the spirits that inhabit it. These spirits then guide the player, sharing cryptic stories about their past lives and why they are bound to the shop. From there, the player’s journey involves buildingrelationships with the ghosts inHaunted Chocolatierto uncover their histories, and helping them find peace by crafting unique chocolates for them.
There are plenty of differentdirectionsHaunted Chocolatiercould go with its story, especially given its unique premise in the life sim genre. While it could certainly make the inheritance story work, it might be better off avoiding that trope, as it has been repeated far too many times to count. Instead,Haunted Chocolatiercould make waves by having a story that is just as fantastical as its premise.
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.
