Summary
The option to form romantic relationships and raise a family with other characters is one ofStardew Valley’s best features, and now that ConcernedApe has confirmed that the same feature will be back in his next game,Haunted Chocolatier, it’s likely even more can be expected of it. What makesStardew Valley’s family mechanics so gratifying is the opportunities for character development that they open up for the game’s most notable characters and the extended gameplay that raising a family can provide. However, in spite of all thatStardew’s romance and family mechanicsdo right, at the end of the day, they are still limited and can only take players so far.
InStardew Valley, players can get married and raise a family of up to two children. Unfortunately, children only have four growth stages, and they can’t grow beyond the age of four. This is like ConcernedApe’s way of avoiding other features and mechanics that could bog down the overall experience, butHaunted Chocolatiernonetheless has an opportunity to expand and improve upon the family mechanics that were established inStardew— specifically, when it comes to any children the player may have with a romantic partner. That being said, there is still more thatHaunted Chocolatiercould do with its families as a whole thatStardewhas yet to accomplish.
How Haunted Chocolatier Could Expand Stardew’s Family System
Haunted Chocolatier’s Children Could Grow Beyond the Age of Four
One of the main waysHaunted Chocolatiercould improve uponStardew Valley’s family systemis by allowing children to grow beyond the age of four. Once children grow to be four years old inStardew, the entire experience of having them is diminished by an inability to witness them grow any further, and any further interactions with them become repetitive and bland as a result. IfHaunted Chocolatierwere to allow children to grow even older than that, perhaps it would open the door for more interactive opportunities.Haunted Chocolatiercould see children going to school, having friends over to play, and more.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Children Could Help Out Around the Store
As the entire premise ofHaunted Chocolatierrevolves around players owning and running their own chocolate confectionery store, it would be interesting to see the player’s children growing old enough to even help out around the shop. It would make sense forHaunted Chocolatier’s spouses to help out around the store, but the notion of including the children in it for a family-operated business could take ConcernedApe’s next cozy sim up a notch or two.
Haunted Chocolatier’s Family Mechanics Could Incorporate an Affinity System
Concerning the family as a whole,Haunted Chocolatier’s family mechanics could benefit from an expanded affinity system. For the most part, it’s fairly easy to maintain a healthymarriage inStardew Valley, butHaunted Chocolatiercould take it a step further. Familiy affinity mechanics inHaunted Chocolatiercould mean players are required to spend a certain amount of time with their family on a regular basis, or they risk losing affinity with their spouse and children. Dialogue could even be incorporated where the player’s spouse lets them know when they need to spend more time with their family, as if they’ve been spending too much time at work. It may get a little too close to reality to appeal to some, but it would undoubtedly increase the value of family inHaunted Chocolatier.
It’s currently unclear whetherHaunted Chocolatier’s family system will be identical toStardew Valley’s or something entirely different, but there will be a family system nonetheless. Whatever it ends up looking like, there’s no denying thatHaunted Chocolatierhas a prime opportunity to improve upon one ofStardew Valley’s best features.
Haunted Chocolatier
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
