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 59 users found this helpful
2. Reed_Reviews

   Oct 28, 2020

   10

   Very rarely does a game accomplish something greater than itself. Celeste does so by using its challenging and intrinsically satisfyingVery rarely does a game accomplish something greater than itself. Celeste does so by using its challenging and intrinsically satisfying gameplay to tell a story of mental illness and personal resiliency. Yes, the game is difficult - and for a reason. The difficulty contributes to Celeste's themes of persevering through improvement. The music is a bop and tonally fits each level to help create a sense of atmosphere. Controls are tight and responsive, meaning that deaths are the player's fault, not the game's fault. Although death comes often, a quick reboot feature keeps the player engaged. Upon "finishing" the game, there are plenty of speed running, completionist, and difficulty challenges to keep dedicated players coming back.
   
   Ultimately, some games like The Last of Us Part II try to tell a mature story at the cost of player fun. Despite being an indie title with no such production funds, Celeste manages to tell a mature story while continually being fun. Celeste is a masterpiece. This will be a game remembered for decades to come from its balance of fun and theme.… Expand

   • 0 of 1 users found this helpful
4. Lamon

   Feb 24, 2018

   10

   Better than any 2D Mario I’ve ever played. The story is interesting and deep, the levels perfectly designed and the music memorable. Awesome

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. peropify

   Feb 20, 2018

   10

   The only retro-inspired platformer I've played I've enjoyed from start till finish since actual retro games were made. Highly recommend.

   • 1 of 5 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. alexbudke

   Jul 22, 2019

   8

   While Celeste story was a complete bore to me, the gameplay including the fast reset kept me attempting to beat each level just one more time.While Celeste story was a complete bore to me, the gameplay including the fast reset kept me attempting to beat each level just one more time. The soundtrack was one of my favorite of the year, and this made for an overall enjoyable game.… 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.

   • 1 of 9 users found this helpful

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