Haunted Chocolatiercan put its own spin onStardew Valley’s famous romances by being more open to supernatural romance options in-game.Stardew Valleyalready managed to showcase romances with several different kinds of characters, from the closed-off Sebastian to the fashionista Lacey. All of those romance stories were fitting forStardew’s small town aesthetic, butHaunted Chocolatieris looking to build its own sort of experience, with stark differences between the two games already clear. Pursuing more fantasy-themed romances could giveHaunted Chocolatiereven more of a niche to succeed with.
Among the many endeavors available to the player,Stardew Valley’s several romantic optionsare among the game’s biggest endeavors. InStardew Valley, there are twelve characters in town that the player can potentially romance. Romances at their base were similar to the friendship players could form with other characters, growing their relationship by talking to them and giving them gifts. However, not only did they have significantly more heart events than other characters, but players will also have to give them a Bouquet to unlock the romance, and a Mermaid Pendant to propose. After the wedding, they will also unlock one more heart event that wraps up their storyline. After being well received inStardew Valley,Haunted Chocolatierwill also feature relationships, and it has a chance to do a few things thatStardew Valleydid not.
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Supernatural Romances Could Add A Lot To Haunted Chocolatier
One obvious way that the two games could diverge is thatHaunted Chocolatiercould include supernatural characters as romance options.Stardewdid include some supernatural elements, but not in its romance. The Wizard was a non-romanceable character, and while players could have Krobus as a roommate, their relationship was strictly platonic. This makes supernatural romance an area that still has not been touched upon, andHaunted Chocolatiercan use that to great effect.
One argument in favor for more fantastical romances comes in the form ofHaunted Chocolatier’s own new themesthat make such characters and relationships more plausible. Ghosts have already been confirmed not only to exist, but are a significant part of the player’s operations, since they’re helping the player make their chocolate. That alone gives reason for other sorts of supernatural characters to appear in the game. Creatures like vampires, werewolves, and even another wizard or witch would not feel out of place. Not only would they fit perfectly intoHaunted Chocolatier, but any of those options could double as a valid romantic option as well.
These sorts of characters could tell new types of romance stories thatStardew Valleywasn’t able to. In addition,Haunted Chocolatier’s lightly horror-tinged settingprovides a unique backdrop with which to tell these stories. For example, if the player romances a ghost, then it’s worth considering how a relationship would work between the two. Perhaps one of the townsfolk could be a werewolf, and that could play into their romance arc as the layer learns more about them. These sorts of romantic partners and accompanying stories could be a defining point in what makesHaunted Chocolatiera unique game in the genre.
Players ofStardew Valleyalready know that ConcernedApe can do romance, andHaunted Chocolatiercan benefit from that. Taking new ideas and running with them can makeHaunted Chocolatier’s romance improve onStardew Valley’s, and innovative new romantic partners would fit that bill perfectly.Haunted Chocolatieris perfectly set up to deliver a unique cast of characters and romantic options, and its magical setting justifies a few more supernatural options in the pool.Haunted Chocolatierwould be missing out on a big opportunity by not including some supernatural characters as potential romance partners.
