Why Haunted Chocolatier's Combat Focus is its most promising plan yet

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Although I know few details about Haunted Chocolatesit has been made clear that ConcernedApes' next game will have a much stronger combat focus than Stardew Valley. This is one way in which Haunted Chocolates can stand out from its hugely successful predecessor, which is a sign of good things to come for the upcoming title.




In recent years, life sim games have come to be known for a handful of features. Activities such as farming, romancing NPCs, and exploration are all par for the course, and this is in no small part due to their prominence in Stardew Valley. ConcernedApe's first game was a surprise hit and revolutionized the genre, a feat he may be able to do again Haunted Chocolates. The game's supposed focus on combat is perhaps the biggest difference between the two games. Because of that difference, Haunted Chocolatess battle can be good for Stardew Valley as well as ConcernedApe experimenting with new ideas, giving him an outlet for mechanics that wouldn't feel at home in his previous title.

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Haunted Chocolatier Meets a Tonal Tightrope Walk Unlike Stardew Valley

According to ConcernedApe, Haunted Chocolatier will have a different tone than Stardew Valley, which could mean an interesting confluence of ideas.

Haunted Chocolatier's Combat can make it an outstanding indie game


Life sims aren't exactly known for their robust combat mechanics. As the genre has evolved, there have been a few games that branch out into exploration, requiring players to protect themselves along the way, but most keep all combat segments very basic. Usually, these types of games prefer to depict an idyllic and relaxing lifestyle.

That's why Haunted Chocolates Going all in on the combat mechanic will set it apart from all life sims that come before it. It can even use Stardew Valleys combat system to help it grow, taking what worked in the past and polishing it to reach new levels in the future. Because the simulation side of things was so fleshed out Stardew Valleythere's no need to reinvent the wheel in that area, allowing ConcernedApe to push for a “best of both worlds” approach in Haunted Chocolates.


Different battle mechanics can help Haunted Chocolatier and ConcernedApe grow

Just what type of battle can occur in Haunted Chocolates is still to be seen. Some development teasers have shown that swords will return from Stardew Valleyand that a shield mechanic is about to join them, but a true combat focus requires more ways to fight than just what players are used to. Perhaps Haunted Chocolates can draw inspiration from other games, such as watching Dark souls' parry mechanic to improve swordplay. Other fantasy titles such as Skyrim also has a variety of fighting styles that ConcernedApe can look to for inspiration.

Besides the sword and shield, another mainstay of fantasy combat is the bow and arrow. Stardew Valley contained a slingshot, which can poke into Haunted Chocolates likewise, but ConcernedApe shouldn't stop there. Using a bow can lead to more versatile ranged combat Haunted Chocolatesas well as other innovations. It has been hinted that players will need to search for ingredients to make their chocolate, which may involve the need to send out animals that are also interested in natural resources. Using a slingshot or bow can be a good way to make some noise from a distance and scare them away, or even set a trap to catch them.


Stardew Valleys magical element also opens the door to Haunted Chocolates to incorporate some magic. If players aren't keen on weapons, magic can present a third option. A magic battle system could do Haunted Chocolates stands out even more. Spells can be used for damage purposes, like a lightning strike, or even to aid exploration, like freezing a lake to get to the other side. A spellbook mechanic can also prevent the abilities from breaking the game by limiting the use of spells. ConcernedApe has room for countless new innovations within Haunted Chocolatesand battle is hopefully just the beginning. With a reputation for working hard to deliver outstanding experiences to its players, there's no telling what fans can expect in Haunted Chocolates.

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