Celeste
An acclaimed indie platformer about climbing a mountain while confronting inner demons, featuring precise controls and a touching story about mental health.
Category
Game
Release Year
2018
Origin
Canada
Tags
indieplatformermental healthpixel artchallengingnarrative
Detailed Overview Information
Basic Information
Full Name
Celeste
Aliases
Celeste
Type
Video Game
Release Year
2018
Status
Completed
Origin
Canada
Region
Canada
Creation Information
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
Content Information
Synopsis
Celeste follows Madeline, a young woman struggling with anxiety and depression who climbs Celeste Mountain and confronts her inner demons.
Main Characters
Madeline, Badeline, Theo, Granny, Mr. Oshiro
Setting
Celeste Mountain in Canada; ruins, hotel, summit
Themes
mental health and anxiety, self-acceptance, perseverance, inner strength, personal growth
Target Audience
teens and adults (13+)
Characters
Madeline
protagonistfemale21
The protagonist, a young woman struggling with anxiety and depression who decides to climb Celeste Mountain.
Abilities: wall climbing, air dashing, determination...
Quotes:
"I can do this. I can do this."
"Just breathe. You got this."
"I'm stronger than my anxiety."
character
Badeline (Part of Madeline)
antagonist/part of protagonistfemale21
The dark reflection of Madeline representing her anxiety, self-doubt, and negative thoughts.
Abilities: flight, energy projection, psychological manipulation...
Quotes:
"You can't handle this. You'll just mess it up like everything else."
"I'm trying to help you!"
"You're not ready for this."
character
Granny
mentorfemale80+
An elderly woman who lives on Celeste Mountain and offers wisdom to climbers.
Abilities: wisdom, mountain knowledge, tea making...
Quotes:
"The mountain's got a way of bringing out what's inside you."
"Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back."
"You've got more strength than you know."
character
Madeline's Mother
supportingfemale45
Madeline's caring but worried mother who appears in phone conversations throughout the journey.
Abilities: parental care, emotional support, worry...
Quotes:
"I just want you to be safe, honey."
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone."
"I love you no matter what."
character
Mr. Oshiro
supportingmaledeceased (50s when alive)
The ghostly manager of the abandoned Celestial Resort hotel who struggles with letting go.
Abilities: ghostly powers, hotel management, cleaning obsession...
Quotes:
"Welcome to the Celestial Resort! We have the finest accommodations!"
"Everything must be perfect for our guests!"
"I just want to help..."
character
Theo
supportingmale22
A friendly and optimistic fellow climber who becomes Madeline's friend and source of support.
Abilities: photography, social media, optimism...
Quotes:
"Pics or it didn't happen!"
"You're doing great! Keep it up!"
"Sometimes you just gotta take a selfie."
character
Media Forms
Original Medium
video game
Adaptations
type:dlc
title:Celeste: Farewell
year:2019
status:completed
description:Major DLC expansion with additional story content
type:soundtrack
title:Celeste Original Soundtrack
year:2018
status:completed
description:Acclaimed soundtrack by Lena Raine
type:art book
title:Celeste Art Book
year:2019
status:completed
description:Collection of concept art and development insights
Cross Media Presence
video game, soundtrack releases, art books, speedrunning community, academic studies
Commercial Information
Licensing Info
Independent game with standard digital distribution licensing
Merchandise Revenue
Limited merchandise including soundtrack vinyl, art books, plushies, and pins
Games Sold
Over 1 million copies across all platforms
Fan Culture
Fandom Size
Dedicated indie gaming community with strong mental health advocacy presence
Demographics
Primarily teens and adults, indie game enthusiasts, mental health advocates, and speedrunners
Fan Activities
speedrunning, level creation, fan art, mental health discussions, accessibility advocacy
Community Hubs
Reddit r/celestegame, Discord servers, speedrunning communities, indie game forums
Fan Creations
custom levels, fan art, remixed music, speedrun videos, mental health testimonials
Cultural Impact
Pioneered authentic mental health representation in games; influenced indie game development; created supportive community for mental health discussions; established new standards for game accessibility
Historical Development
Creation Background
Developed as an expansion of a four-day game jam prototype, with the goal of creating a challenging platformer that meaningfully addressed mental health themes
Development Process
Evolved from simple prototype to full game through careful iteration, with particular attention to balancing challenging gameplay with accessibility and emotional storytelling
Key Milestones
year:2016
event:Original prototype created during game jam
year:2018
event:Full game released to critical acclaim
year:2019
event:Farewell DLC released with additional content
year:2019
event:Won multiple Game Awards including Excellence in Audio
year:2020
event:Reached over 1 million copies sold
year:2021
event:Continued recognition for mental health representation
Evolution Over Time
Grew from simple platformer concept to comprehensive exploration of mental health themes, with ongoing community support and accessibility improvements
Legacy
Established new standards for mental health representation in games; influenced indie game development; created lasting impact on gaming accessibility and emotional storytelling
Related Links
www.celestegame.com
www.enjoyip.com