Celeste
" Precise action-adventure platformer with emotional storytelling and challenging difficulty curve "
Celeste Review
Celeste is widely regarded as one of the best platformers ever made, praised for its tight, fluid controls and a masterfully designed learning curve that challenges players while remaining fair. The game combines beautiful pixel art visuals, an emotional and relatable story centered on mental health and personal struggle, and a memorable soundtrack that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the variety and creativity in level design, especially the rewarding challenge of collecting strawberries and completing B-side levels.
While the difficulty is steep, many find overcoming tough sections highly satisfying, and assist modes make the game accessible to less experienced players. The story resonates deeply with themes of anxiety, depression, and self-acceptance, creating a unique connection between gameplay and narrative. Overall, Celeste is celebrated as a masterpiece of platforming that offers both challenge and emotional depth.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Celeste's precise and responsive controls that make platforming feel satisfying and fair. The pixel art style is described as gorgeous and atmospheric, complemented by a beautiful, adaptive soundtrack that sticks with players. The storytelling is lauded for its genuine portrayal of mental health struggles, creating a meaningful narrative that enhances the gameplay experience. The game’s level design keeps challenges fresh and engaging, especially through collectible-driven exploration and difficult B-side content.
Criticisms
Some players mention that certain chapters, notably Chapter 8, can feel frustrating due to unpredictable hazards and less satisfying platforming elements like circular platforms. A few found the Badeline boss fight in Chapter 6 to be drawn out or less engaging. Keyboard controls are often criticized, with a strong recommendation to use a controller for optimal experience. Additionally, some casual players find the difficulty intimidating despite assist mode options, and a minority feel the game is somewhat overrated relative to its hype.
Pros
- • Extremely precise and fluid platforming controls enhance player satisfaction and skill expression.
- • Beautiful pixel art visuals create a charming and atmospheric game world.
- • Emotional and relatable story addressing mental health issues with genuine sensitivity.
- • Adaptive and memorable soundtrack complements gameplay and narrative perfectly.
- • Masterfully designed difficulty curve that challenges without feeling unfair.
- • Assist mode options make the game accessible to players of varying skill levels.
- • Engaging level design with varied mechanics and rewarding collectible challenges.
Cons
- • Certain levels, especially Chapter 8, can feel frustrating due to hazard timing issues.
- • Circular platforms sometimes cause unpredictable jumps that feel slightly janky.
- • Keyboard controls are suboptimal; a controller is highly recommended.
- • Some boss fights, like the Badeline encounter, may feel drawn out or repetitive.
- • Steep difficulty curve may intimidate casual players despite assist mode.
- • A few players consider the game overrated relative to its widespread praise.
- • High difficulty can lead to player frustration and repeated deaths.
Rating Criteria
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.
