Celeste

1. bulger_paul

   Jan 28, 2018

   10

   I don't like being a reactionist, or overpraising something too soon, but Celeste is one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. I'llI don't like being a reactionist, or overpraising something too soon, but Celeste is one of the best 2D platformers I've ever played. I'll break down my review into individual segments:
   
   Controls: 10/10
   Very tight, extremely simple controls. Move with Left control stick. Jump with B. Dash with Y. Climb walls with RT. End of tutorial. But the sheer amount of mileage these developers get out of such a simple base is staggering
   
   Gameplay: 10/10
   While the controls are deceptively simple, every single chapter introduces a few new mechanics that you will have to master in order to progress. Whether they be platforms that disintegrate underneath you, platforms that move in sync with your dashing, walls you can dash through that have a unique effect. gemstones that replenish your dash midair, bubbles that shoot you far off into certain directions, and the list goes on and on, each new mechanic requires you to use them with near perfect precision and timing. The challenge can be occasionally frustrating, and you may find yourself dying several hundred times in any given chapter (I'm not exaggerating, you will die a lot), but it's the good kind of frustration that invites you to persist, not the kind that will cause you to rage quit. And none of your deaths feel out of your control. It doesn't require you to memorize every obstacle coming next, because there's never anything popping up that you didn't expect. Every obstacle is laid out in front of you, clear for you to see, which makes the challenge more inviting than frustrating.
   But I don't want to scare off potential players who are not so keen on the sound of timing and precision based gameplay, since that doesn't sound particularly fun by description alone, but this is a joy to play and an innumerable amount of sequences had me smiling and feeling accomplished by their end.
   
   Difficulty Level: 7/10
   I know 7 seems fairly low considering how much time I've already spent re-emphasizing the demand for precision, and how often you're going to die, and I'm sure you've already seen many other reviews that describe it to be tough as nails, and it is, but (thankfully) the game doesn't punish you for dying over and over and over and over. I had more than 300 deaths in a single chapter once. But this game doesn't kick you in the balls the way Cuphead does every time you die, you always re-spawn in the same frame that you died in, and it takes roughly half a second to re-spawn. The sheer amount of precision the game demands in and of itself would be enough to make it a 10, but the forgiving nature of the game makes the challenge much more manageable, so you can throw yourself at the same obstacle over and over and over and over again until you get it right, which is a godsend, because I would have honestly never bothered finishing the game if I had to deal with a lives system, or if it sent me back to the beginning of each level, or something like that.
   
   Story: 7/10
   I'm actually not as enamored with the story as many other people seem to be. I think it's great to see more and more video games experiment in dealing with heavy thematic matter such as anxiety, panic, apathy, depression, emotional distance, etc, and I think Celeste does a good job of it, and I can imagine many people out there being touched by it, because it handles delicate topics with sensitivity, earnestness, and a touch of humor. I like the characters a lot (and I love that they actually created an Instagram account for the character who is always taking selfies and writing posts throughout the game), but I don't think it's quite perfect yet. I really hope the developers keep experimenting with this kind of subject matter, because Celeste has made me eager for whatever the dish up next.
   
   Artwork/Design: 8/10
   I used to refer to this segment as "graphics," because graphical power used to be important when reviewing games, but we've reached an era of gaming when gamers and reviewers are less concerned about graphical horsepower and more interested in artwork, with absolutely beautiful looking games such as Cuphead and Journey, which are both stunning games due to their artwork, even though they're not going to max out the system you run them on by any means. Celeste is in that category, and it is a brilliantly designed game.
   
   Music: 9/10
   It is impressive in and of itself that these indie developers composed more than two hours of music for a relatively short game (around 10hrs max to complete all of the main bits, 20 if you're a completionist that is going to collect all the strawberries and complete all the "B side" challenges), and it pays off, because the soundtrack is just beautiful.
   
   Overall: 10/10
   While I think the story is good, even though I wasn't as deeply impressed with it as many other reviewers were, the controls, gameplay, and design are every bit as good as you've heard and Celeste is a game that deserves to be experienced by anybody who can spare twenty bucks to try it out.… Expand

   • 48 of 58 users found this helpful
2. Floatingtable

   Oct 29, 2020

   10

   The best game about climbing a mountain. It's difficult but the messages and gameplay are amazing. I would not recommend this for people whoThe best game about climbing a mountain. It's difficult but the messages and gameplay are amazing. I would not recommend this for people who are bad at platformers or don't play them often though. It's awesome. Controls work better with a d-pad, but I beat it with thumbsticks. The movement is 8 directional, so a thumbstick with grooves would also work well.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. Ukokira

   Mar 13, 2018

   10

   Absolutely loved it
   
   Tight controls that never bugged out on me, fun evolving level design that never felt unfair, and a suprisingly engaging story.

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. jasoncporter

   Feb 22, 2018

   10

   This game does something I have never seen before: present a compelling and emotional story in a platforming game. I'm sure there are othersThis game does something I have never seen before: present a compelling and emotional story in a platforming game. I'm sure there are others out there, but this hits the perfect sweet spot of storytelling and tight platforming that everything just fell perfectly into place. The music is absolutely phenomenal (Congrats Lena Raine on composing that masterpiece), the visuals are even pretty breathtaking at times even though they're in an 8-bit style. Story heavily touches on mental health so if you've ever struggled with anxiety or depression, a lot of this will hit home to you. 10/10, didn't want it to end.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. cfc1998

   Feb 19, 2021

   9

   One of the best 2D platformers of all time, with excellent level design, creative and fun mechanics. The game is hard yes, but it always givesOne of the best 2D platformers of all time, with excellent level design, creative and fun mechanics. The game is hard yes, but it always gives you a fair challenge and that feeling of accomplishment when you finish it. Play it with patient and in time you would make it. Tottaly recommended.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
7. zachblackattack

   Aug 12, 2021

   8

   Truly unique and inspired. The lore is entertaining and the characters, although no larger than a few pixels, feel detailed and breathed-in. ITruly unique and inspired. The lore is entertaining and the characters, although no larger than a few pixels, feel detailed and breathed-in. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenging gameplay and for myself, it fits within a range of not-too-easy but rewarding. I would recommend it to anyone looking to kill a few hours.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
8. Nintendist

   Jun 30, 2022

   0

   boring gameplay with no good story. the gameplay is so boring that made me sleep.

   • 0 of 8 users found this helpful

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