In recent years, the concern regarding mental health has manifested in large amounts in our collective consciousness. The game Celeste tries to tackle that concept while also being a good video game.
Celeste is a “Rage 2D platformer” game, but what does that mean? A 2D platformer has the player go through a series of levels that are only traversable by jumping from platform to platform. A rage game has one purpose: to make the player mad. Most rage games have a gimmick like poor gravity, visual alterations, or throwing spikes everywhere, making the player thread the needle. However, with Celeste, the game’s difficulty comes from a combination of puzzle solving and tricky jumps. Celeste’s tight controls and great level design make every “game over” feel more like the player’s fault, instead of the game messing with the player for a cheap difficulty spike.
Celeste’s level and character design tell the story alongside the main plot. Certain enemy designs like the red and black spiky enemies represent a NPC’s anxiety. The mountain you climb itself is an allegory for tackling your dreams ( an “insurmountable mountain” of sorts). The game takes place on Celeste Mountain, a mystical peak based on Vancouver’s very own Mt. Celeste. It is known as the hardest climb in the game’s fictional world. Our main character, Madeleine, has always wanted to climb Celeste Mountain. Early on in her quest, she is warned of the dangers that the mountain possesses, but she climbs anyway. On her journey, she encounters many unique characters like Theo, the chill influencer, or an evil, villainy version of herself. Throughout Madeleine’s journey, we learn about her chronic anxiety and stress. Evil Madeleine or “Badeleine” acts as a manifestation of said stress. As Madeleine climbs the mountain, Badeleine tries to make her give up and climb down, and when she refuses, Badeleine will attempt to make her doubt her judgment to climb the mountain. Eventually, Badeleine learns to accept Madeleine and vice versa, making both of their journeys easier as a whole.
An important asset to most media is their soundtrack. Celeste’s OST is nothing short of cinematic and moving. Composed by the talented Lena Raine, known for her work on the more recent Minecraft music, the game’s score captures the emotions felt by Madeleine and company extremely well. From the exciting speed of “Reach the Summit” to the serenity of “Farewell,” the game makes you fully immersed in the character growth and plot of this well made game.
In short, Celeste is a good game for those struggling with anxiety and stress, or people just looking for a good time.
