Celeste Review

Genre: 2D-Platformer
Players: 1
Playtime: 5-20 hours (Includes beating the game finding 65% of hidden strawberries with 750+ deaths in 5 hours; Continued trekking the mountain for all 175 normal strawberries, uncovering hidden hearts, and clearing all B-side levels and epilogue for an additional 15 hours; Raised the white flag of surrender at C-side levels and golden strawberry challenges; Played on the Nintendo Switch)


At a passing glance, Celeste may look just another simplistic indie platforming game with minimalist graphics and grueling difficulty.  But there is more than meets the eye as this is a game packed to the brim with so much creativity, finely-tuned craft, and most importantly, a whole lot of heart.  The journey to climb this formidable mountain becomes a shared experience with that of the player and protagonist, growing in skill, determination, and self resolution.  As my personal Game of the Year for 2018, there's no need to hold back for the end of the review to say that I adore this game and would absolutely recommend it to just about anybody with any interest.  For those still uncertain or want to learn more about this curious platformer though, grab your hiking bags and prepare yourself as we ascend through the many positive and negative crevices of this captivating gem.

Gameplay / Level Design

The fundamentals of Celeste revolve around three simple, but core mechanics: Jumping, climbing, and dashing.  Each of these mechanics can be used in various ways and each come with certain limitations.  Thanks to finely tuned controls and smartly designed levels that naturally teach players new techniques in which to use these mechanics, every next bit of the mountain to climb delivers an engaging, fair, and welcome challenge in which to tackle next.  Many a time, Celeste feels part a puzzle game, in which players can see the obstacle course laid out before them and plot a route in their head before putting their platforming prowess to the test.  And though Celeste is a game of considerable challenge and numerous deaths at times, the quick respawns and frequent checkpoints make this a forgiving and addicting experience to try and try again.

With the repelling winds and limited stamina, the below strawberry is a wary optional challenge, but tantalizing all the same.

Another key factor that makes the gameplay mechanics of Celeste so enticing and fun to play with are the many clever and varied levels, and the opportunities these fresh environments present in which to use these mechanics in interesting new ways.  From motorized blocks to gusty winds to bouncing clouds and more, each level presents fresh ideas that ask the players to use their now familiar skills in ever growing and more compelling means.  Each chapter is also littered with secrets and optional challenges, most in the form of a tempting, red strawberry.  These scattered little trinkets provide a natural encouragement to attentively explore each and every screen, and give opportunity for the more creative and daring challenges.  And should players want to go back and search for missed strawberries, the chapter select kindly offers various checkpoints in which to hop in and notes the order of missed collects, giving players at least a general idea of when / where to look.  Every component in this game is so smartly and carefully considered, which in turn keeps the player engaged and encouraged to keep playing.

Narrative / Writing

One of the biggest surprises to be found in Celeste is just how compelling and touching a narrative it contains.  What starts as a lone, red-headed girl wanting to climb a mountain for reasons even herself doesn't quite comprehend turns into a moving tale of coming to terms with anxiety and self-doubt.  A character that appeared to be a happenstance, trite egotistic blogger hiking the mountain became a heartwarming and comforting face to see time and time again during your ascension.  A ghostly inn keeper who comically talks himself in nervous fear of poor business even goes to show later in the chapter that he has more layers and complexity than just a simple comic relief.  All of the characters and writing found in this game so expertly weave together humor, empathy, and joy to create such a spectrum of memorable moments that resonate long after completing.

An adorable catchphrase of Theo that is made all the more endearing by its chripy sound effect.

Music / Sound Design

A big component to the many moods and tones that this game evokes is due in thanks to the wonderfully enchanting soundtrack.  With mixes of quiet, reflective piano to retro, synthetic sounds, Celeste delivers a beautiful and inspiring harmony that is all its own.  One of my favorite tracks and moments of the game comes at the final chapter, when it culminates the entirety of the game in a moment to moment compilation of melodies and thematic devices.  I'll leave that moment for you to experience yourself in the game, but enjoy listening to a few other exceptional samples below:











Also, although the characters speak in an array of gibberish, mumbling sound effects, it's worth noting how much emotion is still conveyed by means of pitch and speed of the audio.  This careful attention to detail makes for just as compelling delivery and tone, so a well-deserved kudos to this expertly crafted sound design.

Art Direction / Animation

Although the main game can look a bit simplistic at times with its retro aesthetics and lack of facial features, this works to the game's benefit in keeping a focus on the gameplay during these difficult feats of platforming.  And there still is beauty to be found in much of this game, from its bright, neon color palettes to beautiful mountain vistas.  There is even charm to be found in Madeline's movement and bounces, the way her hair carries or the little bit of stretch-n-squash animation when she lands from a jump.  There is also considerable charm and creativity to be found in the dialog animation boxes, such as when Theo displays upside down as he hangs from a vent or when Badeline's hair dangles out of the display box, breaking the fourth wall.

Challenge / Accessibility

As briefly mentioned above, Celeste does an amazing job at presenting plenty of opportunities for fun and compelling challenges.  Aside from the many strawberries in which to find and vigorously try to obtain, there are also a hidden heart and mix tape to be found in each chapter, the latter of which provides a remixed B-Side version of that chapter with exceptionally more difficult platforming prowess to perform.  And should you feel so compelled to keep this climb going, there's an epilogue chapter, even more challenging C-Side levels, and golden strawberries which require deathless runs of each chapter.  But for those who should feel intimidated by all this, Celeste is designed to welcome players of all skill levels.  Many of these challenges are completely optional in regards to enjoying the main story, and if needed or desired, the game offers the means in which to tweak the mechanics of the game itself with an Assist Mode, adjusting the likes of the game speed, stamina, dashes, or invincibility to spikes even.  From the casual to the challenge seekers, this is truly a game that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Each B-Side mix tape is hidden in a cool rhythm-based platforming challenge, where pink and blue blocks alternate in time, like such levels found in Super Mario Galaxy.

Blue Hearts

I'll be honest, I can find nary a fault with this game as this negative is more of a nitpick that is subject to debate / personal opinion.  I found that the blue hearts hidden in each chapter were a bit too meticulously hidden that will likely require most players to look up the answers to finding.  To their defense, there is enough context provided in which to find most on your own (minus the one that requires foreknowledge of Super Mario Bros. 3).  But the means in which to obtain some are so hidden, either by means of forgotten mechanics or literally hidden passages, that it will require considerable time and effort to do it solely on your own.

Good luck finding this one in the dark temple with low visibility.

Celeste is a masterfully crafted platformer, narrative, and overall experience from start to end and the many challenges beyond.  Through smart and thoughtful design, the game continually engages players with compelling environmental mechanics and spirited story beats; A story of coming to terms with oneself and overcoming any mountain in life, be it figurative or literally a foreboding snowy deathtrap.  For fans of finely-tuned platformers, I encourage you to come for the rich and creative challenges, and be moved by the heartfelt moments that come with it.

If you have any questions or thoughts about this game, please feel free to comment and discuss below.  Thanks.  And happy gaming!