5/5 ★ – Count_Gamer's review of Celeste.

This is actually my first retroactive review :D and what better way to commemorate this than by dedicating some words to one of my favorite games of all time. The reason for me not looking back at older games for inspiration on my writing is simply because I felt that their impact and time had already vanished, this game however differs to most in that front. Celeste is a game that means a lot to me. It’s a symbol of challenge and triumph, overcoming adversity and living a better life for it. Its difficulty can be haunting (I for sure can attest to that) but only through this arduous path can the player look back upon their progress and feel satisfied. I believe its challenge to be the mayor draw for the game, but it’s not the only thing that makes so damn good. The retro inspired pixel art is gorgeous and the accompanying OST is equally wonderful. It’s story is quite simplistic: girl climbs mountain, but it is much more nuanced than that. Madeleine’s journey to climb this mountain is actually metaphorical to her overcoming anxiety and self doubt. We see this through the use of the evil alter ego, one that Madeleine eventually dominates and even befriends. It’s an inspiring tale, one that the player can identify with as there is nothing more relatable than feeling incapable of doing something, only to work your ass off for it and eventually achieve it, ain’t that the dream :,) Its narrative and message actually work as a parallel to Celestes gameplay, presenting an equal (if not worse) challenge for the player to beat: complete the game. Climbing the mountain along side Madeline is a humbling journey as it puts the player in her shoes, putting the self doubt, but also gratifying accomplishment, onto us. Its a wonderful narrative device that inspired me to keep on going (blind) to the final frontier: that sweet 100% completion. If Celeste’s core gameplay was a steep learning curve, finishing this game to the fullest is a straight wall. The introduction of precise movement mechanics, golden strawberries, B-side and C-side versions of the levels, as well as that super easy and definitely not agonizing farewell level😍😍 elevate the games difficulty to the maximum. I can’t lie, it was a pain and took me about 2 years of on and off play, but I eventually did it. A couple months back I completed Celeste and I couldn’t be more proud. Celeste has inspired me not only as an artist but as an individual to be better, to grow and to overcome. Through it’s wholesome narrative, marvelous environments and difficult ass gameplay it taught me to not give up. Though it sounds corny I try to apply that same level of effort I put into the game to my everyday life, cuz I know if I can climb Mount Celeste I can do anything.