Although the game was originally declared to be different from the farming hit, comparisons cannot be avoided, and it is they that create tension around the project.
Barone openly admits that the pressure of expectations has become a source of stress for him. In an interview, he noted that the main difficulty is understanding that many players will perceive Haunted Chocolatier as "Stardew Valley 2", although there was never such an intention. The developer understands that some of the audience may be disappointed to receive a more adventurous and action-oriented RPG with a dark atmosphere instead of a calm farm simulator, and admits that such a reaction "would just hurt him."
According to available data, the game retains the basis of a life simulator, but places more emphasis on battles, exploration and secrets, while remaining true to the signature pixel art. Development is slow: Barone continues to develop Stardew Valley in parallel and emphasizes that he will not release Haunted Chocolatier until he is completely satisfied with the result. The project has no external funding or pre-orders, which allows the author to work without the pressure of deadlines — even if it means several more years of waiting.