Eric Barone reveals Haunted Chocolatier is an action RPG

Eric Barone, the developer known as ConcernedApe, has shared new details regarding his upcoming title, Haunted Chocolatier. In a recent interview with GQ, Barone described the game as an action RPG that maintains the “town game” essence of his previous hit, Stardew Valley, but with a significantly different focus.

Unlike the farming-centric gameplay of Stardew Valley, Haunted Chocolatier will emphasize adventuring, collecting equipment, and character progression. The game features monsters and boss fights, specifically targeting players who enjoyed the mining aspects of his earlier work. The setting is described as a more “metaphysical” and potentially “creepy” locale involving a chocolate maker in a haunted castle.

Barone noted that development has been a meticulous process, as he aims for perfection in user interfaces and gameplay mechanics, such as the chocolate recipe book. He emphasized that he will not release the game until it is fully ready, comparing the process to ensuring a turkey is fully cooked before serving guests. The game is being developed from scratch and is expected to be larger in scale than Stardew Valley.