Curiously enough, Stardew Valley developer Eric Barone has said in previous interviews that his love of action role-playing hack-and-slash games - particularly Diablo 2 - has influenced Haunted Chocolatier’s development. The developer has found inspiration in focusing on leveling up stats and looting that Diablo 2 centers in its gameplay. This might be an odd inspiration for a game involving magic chocolate-making in a small town. Still, it’s the perfect creative departure for Haunted Chocolatier to evolve past the formula used by Stardew Valley.
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How Diablo 2 Could Level Up Haunted Chocolatier’s Combat System
Many Stardew Valley players are highly familiar with the combat mechanics in the game, as it is almost impossible to progress in the mine without hack-and-slashing a few of Stardew Valley’s strongest enemies, magma sparkers, and haunted skulls. The combat system in the game is relatively sparse, which makes sense given the title is a farming simulator heavy on social progression. Granted, players must equip themselves with a weapon and armor that provides varying levels of effectiveness and protection. From there, fighting is mostly dodging and slicing enemies, a fine set of mechanics for a farming simulator, but not nearly nuanced enough for a game focused on obtaining ingredients from combat.
The best part about ConcernedApe’s use of Diablo 2 in the development of Haunted Chocolatier is that Eric Barone genuinely likes the combat mechanics and uses that personal enjoyment to fuel the creative process. While the game got a remake in Diablo 2 Resurrected, Diablo 2 is over two decades old, even though it has been praised far and wide for its dynamic combat involving varied environments and a compelling story. The game also employs character classes but has a randomly generated equipment system that focuses on character evolution and crafting that is unique to the Diablo franchise. It would be incredible to see even one of these elements employed in Haunted Chocolatier.
How The Combat Mechanics In Diablo 2 Might Show Up In Haunted Chocolatier
A more sophisticated loot system will probably make its way into Haunted Chocolatier. One aspect of this might be giving players more equipment options, allowing armor pieces, clothing, and accessories to be randomly found and then worn in battle. The game could also increase the diversity of materials found in the world, introducing a system for equipment crafting alongside the cooking mechanics that form the foundation of Haunted Chocolatier’s combat. This game mechanic would work incredibly well in giving players access to various ingredients as they battle while not having the process be repetitive or predictable.
The most exciting addition to Haunted Chocolatier that could be added to the game is the addition of boss battles. Diablo 2 has legendary bosses, with enemies that range from Lilith to the Hephasto the Armorer keeping the player on their toes while in combat. ConcernedApe has released screenshots of bee-themed combat zones, possibly hinting at boss battles being themed by the ingredients players could collect there. With the advent of more challenging combat, Haunted Chocolatier could add a spell-casting system. There are player-made mods that have added magic to Stardew Valley, making the possibility of varied and dynamic combat a definite option in the upcoming game.
Haunted Chocolatier is currently in development.
MORE: Everything We Know About Haunted Chocolatier
