Haunted Chocolatier, the upcoming game from Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, is still fundamentally a town game but will lean more heavily into action RPG mechanics. Barone stated that the core gameplay loop will focus on adventuring, character progression, and combat, including monsters and boss fights. He described it as being "for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines."
This adjustment in focus aims to appeal to players who prefer more action-oriented gameplay. Barone noted his own inclination towards the combat aspects of Stardew Valley, such as delving into the mines, rather than solely focusing on town management and optimization. The shift suggests that Haunted Chocolatier will offer a different experience from its predecessor, even while retaining a town-building element.
Barone acknowledged the significant pressure of following up the success of Stardew Valley, expressing a desire to recapture the initial creative freedom he experienced. "Everyone's watching me, and if I don't do things a certain way, it might disappoint millions of people," he remarked in a recent interview. Despite this pressure, he is dedicated to the project, stating that working on Haunted Chocolatier is what he is "most eager and driven to do," though he also admitted to meticulously scrutinizing every detail of the development process.