Haunted Chocolatierwill be missing out on a lot of potential if it doesn’t expand its selection of pets past the dogs and cats ofStardew Valley. While being a chocolatier may not be a profession as associated with animals as a farmer, players should still be able to have pets of their own in-game. In fact, since it is clearHaunted Chocolatieris going in its own direction compared to ConcernedApe’s last game, it may be a good idea if the pets followed suit in similar fashion. If handled correctly, they could be another way to show the sequel’s character.
Early in Spring of the first year,Stardew Valleyplayers will get a pet, either a cat or a dog. The player would get to choose what animal they would receive ahead of time when they created their character, with three options for both dogs and cats. Players can pet their chosen animal and fill their water dish to raise their friendship with them. Unlike the various villagers, the player’s pet can never lose friendship points, showing their loyalty. Aside from this, the pets play little role aside from wandering the farm, though they are pleasant to have around and add to the farm’s atmosphere. InHaunted Chocolatier, they could be given far more importance.
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Haunted Chocolatier Can Give Players More Pets
While dogs and cats made sense as pets that would run around on a farm,Haunted Chocolatierwill have its own themesand location. With the game tasking the player with making chocolate in a haunted factory, it’s a far cry from growing crops on a farm in the sun. The more fantastical setting could be a good excuse to get more experimental with options for the player’s pets. Of course, cats and dogs would not have to be phased out entirely, since they would undoubtedly still be popular picks. It would be good to introduce some new options alongside them, though.
When it comes to expanding the selection of pets inHaunted Chocolatier, the game’s setting and fantasy theme can be used as inspiration. Considering thatHaunted Chocolatier’s light horror elementsinclude ghosts and cooking chocolate in a cauldron, animals associated with witches or the night could be appropriate choices. Among these options could be a bat, an owl, or a snake. In particular, the bat and owl would make interesting additions sinceStardew Valleydidn’t feature any flying pets. Maybe players could even raise tame versions of monsters from the dungeons. WhileStardew Valley’s slime hutch let the player raise slimes, the player couldn’t keep one as an actual pet.
In addition to more options for pets, the pet system itself could receive something of an overhaul. One way thatHaunted Chocolatiercan differ fromStardew Valleyis by letting players have more than one pet. WhileStardew Valleyonly let players have a cat or a dog,Haunted Chocolatiercould let the player gather more pets over the course of the game. In addition, pets could also receive their own little cutscenes as their affection towards the player grows, similar to the villagers the player can befriend. Giving pets their own little events would make caring for them and increasing their affinity with the player a more rewarding endeavor.
The player’s pet inStardew Valleywas a good element of the farm, butHaunted Chocolatiercan make them even better.Stardew Valleycan inspireHaunted Chocolatier, and by adding more types of pets,Haunted Chocolatierwill be able to further build off the past game’s foundation. Pets are very dear to their owners in real life, so players should be able to make sure that their in-game pet is right for them. For that reason,Haunted Chocolatierwould do well with a larger pet selection.
