Celeste is a popular platform game released in 2018 by independent studio Matt Makes Games. The game follows the character Madeline as she attempts to climb Mount Celeste while dealing with anxiety and depression.
Development of the game began as a Game Jam project in 2015 and was later expanded into a full version, featuring minimalist gameplay inspired by the developer’s bouldering experience.
Celeste is designed to be accessible, with game mechanics designed to make the game more forgiving, while Assist Mode provides options to make the game less challenging.
The game was generally well received by critics, with its narrative and gameplay being praised for their complementary nature. A DLC expansion called “Farewell” was released in 2019, and PICO-8’s sequel “Celeste 2: Lani’s Trek” was released in 2021.
Game play
“Celeste” is a 2D platform game in which players control Madeleine, who has the ability to run, jump, climb walls, and dash in the air.
There are green gems that replenish Madeline’s dashing abilities, as well as other objects such as dream blocks and movement blocks. The game has an “Assist Mode” to reduce difficulty, including reduced game speed, unlimited sprint ability, or invincibility.
The base game has eight chapters, divided into single-screen challenges with checkpoints between screens, optional challenges, and hidden collectibles.
The B-side levels of the game reuse the mechanics of the entry-level levels, while the C-side levels are also increased in difficulty. The Farewell expansion adds new chapters with catchable jellyfish and exploding blowfish.
conspiracy
Celeste Mountain, the setting for the game Celeste, is haunted and full of strange occurrences. The protagonist Madeleine decided to climb the mountain to regain her self-esteem, and persisted tenaciously to the top of the mountain.
Along the way, she meets several characters, including Granny, Theo, and Ojo, and faces the anxiety and depression she takes on as “Bedrine.”
After overcoming many challenges and reconciling with Bedrine, Madeline pursues a bird she believes to be the reincarnation of her grandmother. Eventually, Madeleine frees the bird as a tribute to her grandmother and reconnects with Theo.
develop
In August 2015, Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry created a minimalist game using the PICO-8 Fantasy console during a four-day gaming jam event. They wanted to make a simple yet complex game and settled on a character who had to climb a mountain. Based on their previous experience with TowerFall, they decided to make it a single-player adventure.
After completing a PICO-8 version called Celeste Classic, the team decided to expand the game with fewer restrictions and more development time.
Celeste Classic was included as a hidden mini-game in the final version of Celeste, produced by Thorson and with Berry as lead programmer. The development team worked long hours during the final months of development.
music
Lena Raine composed much of Celeste’s score, with other composers contributing mixes to the B-side level. Wren’s scores were used to guide the visual design of certain levels.
Sound designer Kevin Regamey incorporated sound effects into the music to complement the gameplay, while Raine added “musical ambiance.”
Lane designed specific sounds in the music to match certain themes, such as the “cosmic horror” Madeleine experiences in “In the Looking Glass” and the lucid dream sequence in “Resurrection.”
Each character in “Celeste” is represented by a different instrument, Madeleine with a piano and Badrine with a synthesizer.
The theme of “Badeline” is written entirely in a minor key, in contrast to Madeline’s predominantly upbeat music, and the song “Anxiety” attempts to capture the feeling of a panic attack.
repertoire
- prelude
- first step
- resurrection
- Awake
- Postcard from Celeste Mountain
- Check in
- A spirit of hospitality
- scattered and lost
- gold
- Quiet and falling
- in the mirror
- Madeleine and Theo
- star jump
- reflection
- face yourself
- little goth
- reach the top
- exhale
- my dearest friend
