Celeste, A Memorable Climb

Celeste, created by Maddy Thorson is a challenging indie game following a young woman named Madeline’s journey up the treacherous Celeste Mountain. The game is renowned for being incredibly difficult and even rage inducing at times. However, if a bit of challenge and a heartfelt story about self acceptance is your cup of tea, the game may be just for you.

Madeline’s trip up the mountain is a unique climb, the game utilizing many special abilities and techniques to create winding obstacles as you make your way up. The different levels are definitely a challenge, but the gripping end goal of climbing the mountain leaves you glued to your seat with eyes on the screen. No matter how many times you fail, you just want to keep climbing. With 8 chapters separated into many screens to climb, Celeste lasts for hours of play time, and the constant changing background art and obstacles make every segment fresh and never a bore.

The story follows not only Madeline’s climb, but also her own self doubt and conflict. The heart wrenching story of the young woman coming to terms with who she is, and learning to embrace the parts of herself that make her, well, her, and the loveable although sometimes emotionally damaging, dialogue leaves you rooting for Madeline the whole way, and wishing you could reach through the screen and give her a reassuring hug. With multiple incredible and creatively written characters each with their own personality and lives, the adventure through the mountain is filled with friendship, jokes, and heart to hearts.

As well as a challenge, Celeste offers a variety of accessibility options for players who need a little help, or just want to experience the story. With infinite stamina, jumps, and invincibility, no matter how you play, there is a way to enjoy the game.

The game also has many side collectables for the hardcore players. With secret levels, “Crystal Hearts”, and strawberries to find while you climb the mountain, the least casual of players will have an extra challenge. Rest assured, not collecting them will not impact the main story, however, you do need them to reach certain content.

Leaving behind the focus on gameplay and story, the game also is filled to the brim with incredible music. The unique music depending on the chapter and stage you're in truly helps to enhance the game and what you're feeling while you're experiencing it. Whether it perpetuates the ominous tones of particularly creepy or unnerving screen, or fills you with inspiration and determination during a shot to the top, or difficult challenge. The game's soundtrack does such a genuinely great job at tying together everything that the player experiences during their climb.

The art, although some may see as small or minimalistic, is charming in it's own way and helps to really add to celeste's personality. It feels almost like and old side scroller, but filled with more color, animation, and depth. Coupled with the fresh take on the genre, really adds depth and character to the game. Even though the characters are small, and pixels, they're all still distinguishable and iconic in their own special way and design.

My personal experience with Celeste was an albeit challenging and at some points frustrating, but genuinely enjoyable and memorable climb. Following Madeline through her adventure to top the mountain truly does feel worthwhile, and a goal worth reaching.

All in all, Celeste is a wonderfully fun, challenging, and even emotional game that is definitely worth the time and effort to complete. With a full 10 strawberries out of 10, juicy.