Character exploring a snowy forest with a frozen waterfall in Haunted Chocolatier

Stardew Valley Creator Eric Barone Says Haunted Chocolatier Is Turning Into an Action RPG With Monsters and Boss Fights

October 14, 2026 Noah

Stardew Valley’s long-awaited follow-up is taking a noticeably sharper turn than its cozy predecessor. In a new interview with British GQ, ConcernedApe creator Eric Barone said Haunted Chocolatier is shaping up to be more of an action RPG, with monsters, boss fights, and gear hunting sitting alongside the chocolate shop management fans have been expecting since the game’s 2021 announcement.

“There Are Monsters, There Are Boss Fights”

Barone described the game’s focus as leaning heavily into exploration rather than pure farming-style routine. “The main focus is more about adventuring, finding equipment and getting more powerful,” he said, adding simply, “there are monsters, there are boss fights.” Earlier footage shared on his own development blog has already shown off enemy-stunning shields and off-hand weapons, suggesting the combat system has been a long-running focus rather than a late addition. Despite the heavier combat lean, Barone was clear that Haunted Chocolatier isn’t abandoning the relationship-building and settlement elements that made Stardew Valley a hit, still calling it “a town game” at its core. He summed up who the game is ultimately for: “It’s for the people in Stardew Valley that go into the mines.”

Haunted Chocolatier, via ConcernedApe.

No Release Window, and No Rush

Haunted Chocolatier has now been in development for more than four years, and Barone still isn’t naming a release window. He’s been open about the weight that comes with following up a game as beloved as Stardew Valley, admitting the pressure of expectations has made this project harder than his debut. He said he’s trying to recapture the feeling he had while making Stardew Valley in the first place, but is prioritizing getting the game right over getting it out quickly, a stance he’s maintained consistently throughout the game’s development blog updates over the years.