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A Well Balanced Platformer with Fair Challenges
This review is from the perspective of someone who 100%s games on Steam
Celeste is a near perfect platformer. End of story. But seriously, if you enjoy platforming games this is an easy recommendation. Each level introduces new concepts, each screen in said level pushes those concepts in new ways, and it is all packaged together in a game filled to the brim with charm. I should warn you though that this game is not easy. Most people can beat the main story without much difficulty, but some of the optional chapters and side content pulls no punches. If you are someone who tries to 100% games like I do, be warned. However, if you are up for the challenge, I can easily say there is nothing quite like Celeste.
I will now go in-depth on several different aspects of the game including Story, Gameplay, MISC, and the Completion Experience. There will be minor spoilers for what the game contains, but I will not go into any specifics that would ruin your experience.
Story
The story of Celeste is a fairly straightforward yet beautiful one. Madeline has come to Celeste Mountain not only to reach the summit, but also to face her inner demons. She isn’t 100% sure what they even are to begin with, but the story of her coming to terms with who she is is one that I think most will find themselves relating to in some way, shape, or form. Throughout her journey to the Summit she is joined by a small, but mighty, cast of characters, who are all at Celeste Mountain for their own reasons. Theo is my personal favorite. I don’t want to dig too much into what the story entails, but just now that I personally believe it is one worthy of your time.
I also want to mention how well the game weaves story and gameplay. While there are cutscenes and dialogue, most of your time in Celeste is spent platforming. But despite the overall small amount of time dedicated to straight exposition, the game manages to get you invested into the story through emphasizing key story moments in the level design and gameplay. An easy, non-spoiler example would be that every room you beat you are getting closer and closer to your goal of reaching the summit. There are other examples of this, Chapter 6 in particular is great, but I will leave that for you to discover.
Overall, I enjoyed the story of Celeste. I think the more you relate to Madeline, the more of an impact it will have on you, but there is something here for everyone.
Gameplay
Celeste is a fair game. It might not feel that way at times, but every single screen is intricately crafted to be challenging and satisfying to complete. The controls are tight and responsive, each level gimmick is well thought out and fair, and these two elements combine to make the game what it is. This game can be hard though, especially if this is your first platformer. Like Madeline though, you will find with enough perseverance you can overcome the challenge.
Then the game says **** you and throws you into the deep end. Ok, yes this game does have some very hard challenges. Each level has a B-Side and C-Side which dramatically increases the difficulty. Then there is Chapter 9, which introduces entirely new movement mechanics, on top of having some of the longest screens in the game. All of this is optional, and it is well designed, but it is hard. Be prepared to die over and over again, as you learn the exact movement pattern required to clear a room. Be prepared for long gauntlets of precise platforming. But also be prepared for an unmatched level of satisfaction that comes when you finally beat something you’ve been stuck on for so long.
The game does throw you a bone in the form of assist mode. This is a mode you can toggle on that lets you customize the difficulty a little bit. You can give yourself an extra dash, make the game lower, or even give yourself full on invincibility. Some might argue it’s cheating, but the devs themselves say it is intended so that every element of Celeste can be enjoyed, even if you find it too difficult.
Overall, if you want a well designed platformer, this is it. Don’t expect anything else in terms of gameplay though. There are no real charms or power-ups. Just you and whatever the room throws at you. You can climb this mountain though.
MISC
The only thing I want to mention here is the soundtrack. The soundtrack is a certified hood classic. You can spend a lot of time just kind of zoning out, trying to complete a screen, but the music never gets boring. The best praise I can give to it, is that I sometimes just listen to the soundtrack now. It's a bop.
Completion Perspective
It took me around 30 hours to 100% this game.This will vary though depending on your skill level and if you are willing to use assist mode. I have heard some people say it takes them more like 60+ to 100%. It is a fun time though! The only real “collectible” are strawberries throughout each level, but going back to get them is easy and just provides more platforming challenges.
I will say that you have to do everything to 100% the game. All the main chapters, the B-sides, the C-sides, everything. Don’t worry about repetition though, every slice of content is well designed and stands on its own. Do ask yourself though if you are up for some tough platforming though, because if you aren’t going to use assist mode, you got to get good.
My recommendation, if you are on the fence and don’t care too much about being spoiled, would be to look up Chapter 9 gameplay, and see if you think you could learn to do that. I do believe this is a 100% worth pursuing for most. It is hard, and at times draining, but getting a last achievement never felt so good.
Final Thoughts
Celeste is a one of a kind platforming game. If this is your cup of tea, you probably already have it, but if you’re on the fence then it's time to make the leap. Best of luck!
P.S Feel free to friend request me on Steam if you want to keep up on my completionist journey!