Hey everyone! Today I’m sharing my cozy-but-thorough thoughts on Celeste, a super-tight platformer from Maddy Makes Games Inc. Let me tell you, this one surprised me in all the right ways. It’s equal parts challenge, story, and charm, and despite how intense some segments can feel, I always came away with a smile (and sometimes a relieved sigh).
Overall Impressions
Celeste takes you on Madeline’s emotional climb up Celeste Mountain, blending her struggles with self-doubt into precision platforming challenges. What makes the experience shine is the hand-crafted feel of every level—each screen brims with thoughtful design and care from the Maddy Makes Games team. Few platformers manage to balance mechanical difficulty with heartfelt storytelling this seamlessly, making Celeste stand out in the genre.
Not everything lands perfectly, especially for beginners. The optional “B-sides” and “C-sides” dial the difficulty up so high they can feel overwhelming, even frustrating. Some later sections left me stuck, and long play sessions put noticeable strain on my wrists. For players who prefer ultra-relaxed platformers, these hidden stages may lean too far into hardcore territory.
When compared to other games, Celeste strikes a middle ground. Fans of Super Meat Boy or Ori and the Blind Forest will find familiar elements here, but the pacing is distinct. Instead of constant speed and chaos, Celeste emphasizes careful timing, strategic movement, and steady progression. It’s more forgiving than Meat Boy while still providing a sharper challenge than most indie puzzle-platformers.
Gameplay Mechanics
Celeste keeps its core mechanics simple—run, jump, and dash—but executes them flawlessly. The eight-directional dash adds variety and freedom to movement, making each platforming challenge feel fresh and rewarding. Thanks to generous checkpoints, failure never feels punishing. Instead, every fall is just a quick reset, motivating players to keep trying until they overcome each tricky screen.
Some of the game’s most standout moments tie gameplay and story together beautifully. The mirror stage with “Badeline” cleverly reflects Madeline’s internal struggle, creating the feeling of controlling two versions of her at once. Meanwhile, golden strawberries hidden throughout levels serve as optional but highly rewarding challenges. They’re notoriously difficult to collect, but snagging even one feels like a major accomplishment for explorers and perfectionists alike.
The emotional impact of Celeste is just as powerful as its gameplay. One player summed it up perfectly, saying the game “fixed my mental state, ruined it, fixed it, ruined it, and fixed it.” That rollercoaster of frustration and triumph is part of the charm. Missing a jump for the hundredth time can sting, but finally sticking the landing delivers a rush of joy. Combined with its warm and supportive atmosphere, Celeste leaves a lasting impression that players carry beyond the mountain.
Story and Characters
On the surface, Celeste tells a simple story about climbing a mountain, but at its core it’s about Madeline facing and overcoming her inner struggles. Along the journey, you meet memorable characters like Theo, a cheerful traveler who documents your progress, and Granny, whose quirky wisdom provides guidance in unexpected ways. Though their appearances are brief, each character adds warmth and heart to the narrative.
What makes the story so memorable is the balance between intense gameplay and heartfelt moments. Campfire conversations between chapters offer a chance to pause, breathe, and connect with the characters, almost like spending time with friends. Madeline’s quiet determination, even as she wrestles with self-doubt, resonates deeply, serving as an inspiring reminder that perseverance can help us push through our own fears.
Visuals and Graphics
Celeste embraces a pixel art style that blends soft pastel backgrounds with vibrant character sprites, creating a mood that feels calm, inviting, and just a touch magical. From glowing mountain peaks under starry skies to drifting petals and falling snowflakes, each chapter is given its own unique atmosphere. The art may not be hyper-realistic, but it perfectly supports the game’s emotional journey and sense of discovery.
The artistic quality shines through in the way the team infused emotion into every detail. Enemies are designed with simple yet effective visuals, and the layered backgrounds carry subtle movement, preventing scenes from ever feeling flat or static. This thoughtful design approach makes Celeste’s world feel alive, ensuring that its style is as memorable as its gameplay.
Sound and Music
Darren Korb’s soundtrack is a major highlight. Each track sets the tone—gentle piano for quiet moments, driving beats for tense climbs, and soft guitar for reflective scenes. Sound effects are crisp. Every jump, dash, or collision has just the right punch. There’s no voice acting, but you don’t miss it, since text and music do the heavy lifting wonderfully.
Difficulty and Replayability
Celeste balances its famously tough platforming with a welcoming design that encourages persistence rather than punishing failure. Hidden paths and tricky sections push your skills, but the game offers “Assist Mode,” letting players adjust speed, stamina, or dashing to suit their comfort level. This makes Celeste accessible not only to hardcore fans but also to casual players who simply want to enjoy the heartfelt story and beautiful mountain scenery without the steep challenge curve.
Replay value shines through collectibles and advanced modes. Strawberries and golden strawberries tempt completionists, while B-sides remix earlier mechanics into clever puzzle-like challenges. For those seeking the ultimate test, C-sides deliver speedrunner-level difficulty. While some players joked about sore fingers from the intensity, the rewarding sense of progression across chapters makes Celeste a game worth revisiting long after the credits roll.
Trivia and Behind-the-Scenes
Celeste began as a small 2016 game jam project called Falling, created in just two days before Maddy Thorson expanded it with a dedicated team. The name “Celeste” was chosen through a community vote, giving fans direct influence in shaping the game’s identity. Key contributors included Amaryllis Fung on programming and composer Lena Raine, who added bonus tracks for the Farewell DLC. Released in 2019 as a free update, Farewell served as a heartfelt gift from the developers to the community.
Final Thoughts
Celeste is one of those games that stays with you. It can be tough, but it’s balanced by heartfelt story beats, supportive dialogue, and a world that feels alive. As someone who loves cozy vibes, I appreciated having Assist Mode and the chance to slow things down. But I also enjoyed the rush when I finally cleared a tricky jump.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Celeste earns its spot on your shelf whether you play on PC, Switch, or any other system. It’s a heartfelt climb worth making, full of memorable characters, catchy music, and pixel-perfect platforming. The B-sides and C-sides push the challenge to the edge, so casual players can skip or embrace them as they like. All in all, it’s a lovely mix of challenge and comfort—just what we cozy gamers need sometimes.
Hope you enjoyed my review! If you’ve already played Celeste, share your own cozy or cramp-filled stories in the comments. If you’re just getting started, I wish you gentle slopes and sweet victories. Happy gaming!
