Details aboutHaunted Chocolatier’s gameplay may be scarce, but looking atStardew Valleyfor comparison could give insight into ConcernedApe’s next title. With confirmation that some ofHaunted Chocolatier’s gameplay will be similar to, if not the same, asStardew Valley’s, there’s a chance that foraging may follow suit.
However,Stardew Valley’s version of foragingmay not lend itself well toHaunted Chocolatier. After all, ConcernedApe’s next title isn’t just a simulation game, but also features action role-playing elements and combat. IfHaunted Chocolatierimplements foraging into its gameplay, ConcernedApe should rework foraging fromStardew Valleyin a few key ways.
Why Stardew Valley’s Foraging isn’t a Good Match for Haunted Chocolatier
Foraging inStardew Valleyhas a few limitations. The most obvious is seasonality: likecrops inStardew Valley, certain crops can only be foraged based on their season. The quality of foraged crops also depends on a player’s foraging level, which develops like any other skill. However, players following the Botanist profession will forage crops with special benefits and rewards.
Additionally, theforaged items available inStardew Valleyaren’t as applicable inHaunted Chocolatier. Forageable crops include sap, mushrooms, flowers, onions and berries. While berries could certainly be included inHaunted Chocolatieras a forageable crop for certain confectionery recipes, these other crops don’t fit intoHaunted Chocolatier’s sweet theme. ConcernedApe will have to introduce new wild crops toHaunted Chocolatierif foraging returns.
However, it may yet turn out thatHaunted Chocolatieris an entirely new experience. After all, players who are attached to the system could just forageinStardew Valleyrather than inHaunted Chocolatier. Perhaps foraging should not be the main way that players gather ingredients for their confections inHaunted Chocolatier, but merely a bonus feature for specific recipes.
Haunted Chocolatier Could Distinguish Its Version of Foraging Through Combat
Fewdetails aboutHaunted Chocolatier’s gameplayhave been released, but it’s confirmed that players will engage in more combat thanStardewin addition to the game’s cozier aspects. This foray into action suggests that chocolate making won’t be the only focus ofHaunted Chocolatier. With both the simulation and action role-playing genre elements playing a part, a mechanic like foraging doesn’t seem like a necessary priority.
For example, it seems more realistic that players will receive some of their confectionery making supplies at some sort of marketplace, maybea riff on Pierre’s General Store or the Joja Mart. If an item that a player needs for a recipe is out of stock, perhaps certain more rare ingredients could be foraged. This gives players a reason to forage rather than to simply visit this hypothetical shop continuously.
Foraging could also be a gatewayforHaunted Chocolatier’s ghosts, as players could run into some not-so friendly spirits while out and about. The number of ghosts could increase depending on the time of day or area of the map players are visiting. Maybe certain ingredients are more difficult to achieve due to their rarity. If players have to engage in combat in order to access the ingredients they need for one ofHaunted Chocolatier’s main forms of gameplay, combat would be utilized more often in the game while also distinguishingHaunted Chocolatier’s foraging feature fromStardew Valley’s.
