Haunted Chocolatierhas captivated the hearts and minds of cozy game fans the world over. Much of the attention it has garnered is centered aroundcomparisons toStardew Valley, its spiritual predecessor from the same developer, butChocolatier’s unique, spooky premise does a lot to boost its allure as well.
As its title suggests,Haunted Chocolatieris based around supernatural phenomena. It’s still a cozy life sim in the vein ofStardew Valley, with gameplay built around micromanagement, customization, constant progression, and forming relationships with NPCs, but these systems exist in the same context as ghosts and other magical creatures. This blend of slice-of-life, low-stakes gameplay and traditional fantasy and light horror tropes is part of what makesHaunted Chocolatierso interesting, andTrash Goblinhas a similar sort of appeal.
Trash Goblin Provides a Low-Stakes Experience in a Fantasy Setting
Trash Goblin Leverages Fantasy-Themed Cozy Mechanics
AlthoughHaunted Chocolatierfeatures horror stapleslike ghosts and ghouls, it is a decidedly not-scary game. Instead, it simply uses these staples to create a unique setting that is ripe for creative exploration.Trash Goblindoes the same thing, offering a tried-and-true gameplay formula that is redefined by high-fantasy genre conventions.
Players take control of the titular goblin, peddling their wares to different towns. The game is designed around collecting and cleaning various trinkets, which serves as the basis for its puzzle gameplay.Trash Goblinalso allows players to “upcycle” the trinkets that they uncover, exercising their creativity to create even more valuable products. Then, they can upgrade their business and living quarters with new tools and customization options, adhering to the progressionmechanics inherent to the cozy game formula.
Trash Goblinis particularly clever with how its game mechanics complement its lore and overall premise. The mythology of goblins often portrays them as being overly concerned with material goods, obsessed with objects they perceive as valuable. By using this conception as a framework for gameplay,Trash Goblinis able to produce an appealing gameplay loop that recontextualizes the fantasy ideas at its core. That is not too different from theapproachHaunted Chocolatierseems to be taking with its fantasy themes, as they are defined by their relation to its foundational gameplay and setting.
Trash Goblinis slated for a 2024 release, and has a Steam demo available now.
Fantasy Elements Aside, Trash Goblin Seems Very Promising
It’s no secret that the so-called cozy gaming genre is getting a bit crowded, to the point where some gamers may consider the “cozy” tagline to be something of a red flag. This makes sense, as a lot of games wielding that moniker can feel remarkably similar, boasting the same mechanics, narrative tendencies, and art styles. ButTrash Goblinmay subvert cozy game expectations, taking an approach that is distinct enough to make it entertaining and memorable.
For one thing,Trash Goblindoesn’t center on farming, which seems to be the de facto core mechanic for indie games describing themselves as “cozy.” Instead, the game will be built around puzzles and dialog, though developer Spilt Milk Studios makes it clear that its gameplay is still laid-back and undemanding, allowing players to work through the game at their own pace, and on their own terms. At the same time,Trash Goblinfeatures the charm and wholesome energy inherent to the cozy formula, making it a good fit for those who like their games to go down smoothly.
Business management is a common element of the cozy genre, butTrash GoblinandHaunted Chocolatieraim to shake up this convention, using their fantastical settings to provide compelling gameplay. Hopefully, the genre will be all the better for it, pushed toward more creative, unconventional concepts.
Haunted Chocolatier
WHERE TO PLAY
Haunted Chocolatier is an upcoming adventure game from Stardew Valley creator ConcernedApe (Eric Barone). The game is currently set to feature a lush explorable world, chocolate making and cooking, a spooky theme, and more. There is currently no release date or time period for the game.
