Every mountain looks climbable from the bottom. Celeste is what happens when a game asks you to prove it.
Celeste follows Madeline as she sets out to climb the mysterious Celeste Mountain. The premise is simple, but the journey becomes more personal as she confronts obstacles both physical and emotional along the way. The story stays focused and easy to follow, giving players a clear reason to keep pushing toward the summit without getting bogged down in unnecessary complexity.
What makes Celeste stand out is how much it accomplishes with so little. Madeline’s move set consists primarily of jumping, climbing and a single air dash, yet the game constantly finds new ways to challenge players with those mechanics. The controls are easy to understand within minutes, making it an ideal pick-up-and-play experience, especially on Nintendo Switch. I played on Switch 2, and the portable format felt perfectly suited for tackling a few rooms at a time or sinking into longer sessions.
The challenge is demanding, but rarely unfair. I died countless times during my climb, yet almost every failure felt like a lesson rather than a punishment. Instant respawns keep momentum intact, turning trial and error into part of the learning process instead of a source of frustration. Reaching the summit after roughly nine hours felt rewarding, and the game offers plenty of optional content afterward for players looking to test their skills even further.
Madeline is also a strong protagonist. Her struggles feel relatable, and the story’s themes resonated with me throughout the adventure. The narrative gives emotional weight to the climb and creates genuine curiosity about what awaits at the end.
Not every aspect landed as well. Difficulty spikes can be jarring for players who are not accustomed to precision platformers, and while the pixel-art presentation has plenty of charm, I often found myself wishing the game looked more like its illustrated key art and character portraits. More detailed animation could have made the world feel even more expressive.
The collectible strawberries also feel somewhat underwhelming. They provide extra challenge, but because they do not unlock meaningful gameplay rewards, some players may question whether the effort is worth it beyond personal satisfaction. The soundtrack is enjoyable overall, though those who are not fond of retro-inspired music may find certain tracks less appealing.
Celeste succeeds because every piece of its design supports the central idea of perseverance. The platforming is excellent, the story is engaging and the challenge consistently rewards improvement. It is a difficult climb, but one that earns every step.
8.5/10
Pokémon Lens:
Celeste and Pokémon approach progression very differently, but both understand the value of personal growth. Pokémon games often reward players with stronger teams, new evolutions and expanded options, while Celeste focuses on improving the player’s own skills. Collecting strawberries feels somewhat similar to completing optional Pokédex entries or side objectives, offering extra challenges for dedicated players rather than essential progression. Like the best Pokémon adventures, Celeste pairs approachable mechanics with a journey that becomes more meaningful the further you go.
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