What’s Next After Silksong? Why ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier Is the Indie Game to Watch

Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot

Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot

Now that Hollow Knight: Silksong is officially arriving in just a week, there won’t be another major indie title that can match Silksong’s generational hype for some time.

However, one game from Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone (or ConcernedApe) could be the next big thing.

Is Haunted Chocolatier the Next Hollow Knight: Silksong?

Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot
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Credit: ConcernedApe
A new town!

Haunted Chocolatier will be Eric Barone’s follow-up to the massive success of Stardew Valley. It is a simulation game with the same charming artistic style as Stardew Valley, but instead of focusing on farm life, players will dive into a cozy 'haunted' village where they make chocolates in highly customizable ways. Along the way, they can interact with townsfolk, NPCs, and even the ghosts that inhabit its supernatural world.

The game will also feature much more in-depth combat compared to Stardew Valley. One of the new mechanics is a “Shield” system where blocking enough enemy attacks causes them to become “Stunned,” giving players the perfect chance to strike back. This new layer of gameplay rewards patience and timing rather than simply running from monsters, which was often the case in Stardew Valley.

What’s Next For Haunted Chocolatier?

Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot
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Credit: ConcernedApe
Ghosts are NPCs too!

For now, ConcernedApe (Eric Barone) is still actively developing the game. The latest update came in May 2025, just months after Stardew Valley’s massive 1.6 update. Barone has highlighted the addition of “intuitive chocolate making,” giving players multiple ways to create their chocolates.

His blog posts have become a mix of candid development updates and a news feed for fans eager to get their hands on his next project.

There is still no release date for Haunted Chocolatier, and Barone has been clear about wanting to work in peace without the pressure of deadlines.

Can Haunted Chocolatier Be the Next Silksong?

Haunted Chocolatier Screenshot
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Credit: ConcernedApe
New combat system in Haunted Chocolatier.

Drawing comparisons to Hollow Knight: Silksong feels natural. Both creators captured lightning in a bottle with indie releases that turned into massive cultural hits. Hollow Knight has sold more than 15 million copies since its 2017 launch, while Stardew Valley has surpassed 41 million sales as of December 2024.

Both sequels need more time in development to surpass their originals. Silksong took years to complete, but Team Cherry had the advantage of working as a team of talented developers. By contrast, Eric Barone works entirely on his own, meaning it will likely take longer before Haunted Chocolatier becomes something tangible.

The hype for Silksong is finally reaching its climax, but in the years to come, Haunted Chocolatier could very well emerge as the next indie phenomenon and pop culture zeitgeist.

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