Celeste

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

An acclaimed indie platformer about climbing a mountain while confronting inner demons, featuring precise controls and a touching story about mental health.

Official Website

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Celeste

Format

video game

Release Year

2018

Current Status

Released

Country of Origin

Canada

Creator

Maddy Makes Games (Matt Thorson, Noel Berry)

Publisher

Maddy Makes Games

Original Work

video game

Genre

indie, platformer, mental health, pixel art, challenging, narrative

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Celeste.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

An acclaimed indie platformer about climbing a mountain while confronting inner demons, featuring precise controls and a touching story about mental health.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Celeste Mountain, a mystical peak in western Canada that possesses the power to manifest the inner turmoil of its climbers into physical reality. The mountain features diverse environments ranging from an abandoned city and a haunted hotel to surreal dreamscapes and the summit itself.

Mental Health Awareness, Transgender Allegory, Indie Game Development, Speedrunning Community, Platforming Difficulty

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Anxiety, Depression, Self-acceptance, Perseverance

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Celeste's global influence.

Evolution

Won Best Independent Game at The Game Awards 2018.

Origin

Developed from a PICO-8 prototype.

Revenue

1 Million+ Copies Sold

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Celeste.

Madeline

“I'm not fighting you anymore.”

A determined climber fighting her inner anxiety to reach the summit.View Profile

Badeline

“We're going to die!”

Madeline's dark reflection representing her self-doubt and pragmatism.View Profile

Theo

“You can't save everyone, Madeline.”

An optimistic photographer and supportive friend who loves selfies.View Profile

Granny

“The mountain has a way of showing you who you really are.”

The wise, cackling elder of the mountain who guides climbers.View Profile

Mr. Oshiro

“I just want everything to be perfect.”

The anxious, ghostly concierge of the Celestial Resort.View Profile

Explore all Celeste characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main story of Celeste?▼

Celeste follows Madeline, a young woman with anxiety, as she attempts to climb Celeste Mountain. Along the way, she must confront her inner demons, manifested as a doppelgänger named Badeline, and learn to accept herself.

Is Celeste a difficult game?▼

Yes, Celeste is known for its challenging precision platforming. However, it is designed to be fair, with quick respawns and an encouraging narrative that treats difficulty as a part of the journey.

What is Assist Mode in Celeste?▼

Assist Mode is an accessibility feature that allows players to customize the game's difficulty. Options include slowing down the game speed, infinite stamina, invincibility, and skipping chapters, ensuring the story is accessible to everyone.

Who is Badeline?▼

Badeline (or 'Part of Me') is the physical manifestation of Madeline's depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. Created by the mountain's power, she initially tries to stop Madeline from climbing but represents a part of herself that Madeline must learn to work with.

What do the strawberries do in Celeste?▼

Strawberries are optional collectibles scattered throughout the levels. They do not unlock new content or affect the ending but serve as an extra challenge for players who want to test their skills. As the game says, they are to impress your friends.

What is the significance of the feather in Celeste?▼

The feather is a coping mechanism taught to Madeline by Theo. It represents a breathing exercise where one imagines a feather floating with their breath to calm down during panic attacks.

How long does it take to beat Celeste?▼

The main story typically takes 8-10 hours to complete. However, completing the B-Sides, C-Sides, and the Farewell DLC, as well as collecting all strawberries, can take dozens or even hundreds of hours.

Is Madeline trans?▼

Yes, the creator Maddy Thorson has confirmed that Madeline is a transgender woman. The game's themes of self-discovery, body acceptance, and name changes resonate with the trans experience, although it is not explicitly stated in the game's dialogue.

What is the Farewell DLC?▼

Celeste: Farewell is a free DLC chapter (Chapter 9) released in 2019. It adds a massive new story section that takes place after the main game, featuring new mechanics, high difficulty, and a touching conclusion to Madeline's story.

Can I play Celeste on consoles?▼

Yes, Celeste is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Windows, macOS, Linux). It is widely praised on all platforms, particularly on the Switch for its portability.