Celeste screenshot (RTX 3080 Ti)

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   atomicpoet (atomicpoet@atomicpoet.org)'s status on Saturday, 03-Aug-2024 18:45:53 JST atomicpoet

   People have been asking me to review Celeste for a long time, and I’ve resisted it.

   The reason is that I’ve been playing the original Celeste (a.k.a., Celeste Classic) on the PICO-8 for a long time. I love that game. And for a weird reason, I thought that playing the newer version would ruin my love for the original.

   I was wrong.

   The newer version of Celeste makes me appreciate the original even more and gives me an appreciation for everything the dev accomplished.

   Many people call Celeste the transgender version of Super Meat Boy. I don’t think that description gives it justice. In my view, Celeste is more like the transgender version of Old Man and the Sea.

   It’s no secret that the solo dev of Celeste, Maddy Thorson, is a transgender woman. And it’s likely that the protagonist, Maddy, is an avatar for herself. In this game, Maddy must climb Celeste Mountain – an obstacle fraught with challenges. And you really feel this at each screen where just getting through is an incredible accomplishment.

   I know nothing about the daily experience of transgender women, but being transgender must be like climbing a mountain. You live a life where everyone has a certain expectation of you. Just transitioning must have its obstacles.

   Now the reason I compare Celeste to Old Man and the Sea – and not Super Meat Boy – is because as I play Celeste, I gain more and more appreciation for the mountain. I don’t feel adversarial against it. I feel respect.

   Yes, the mountain can kill me. I can easily give up. But at each stage of the mountain is something meticulous and ready for me to discover its fine nuances.

   But climbing that mountain gives you aspirations. It gives you hope. At each stage, you remind yourself that you’ve made it further and further – where others have no tread.

   The graphics are whimsical. I prefer the classic Celeste graphics with all their limitations, but the look and feel of this remake are a hat tip to the original. Pixel art can be great with good art direction.

   I love the soundtrack too. It never wears out its welcome. It’s almost cheering me on.

   Maddy Makes Games developed Celeste. I’ve already spoken somewhat about her background. That said, she also made the best game for the Ouya, and that was Towerfall. There’s a version of it on Windows called Towerfall Ascension, and it’s worth playing.

   Obviously, I recommend Celeste. It is one of the best platformers of all time.

   On Steam, it sells for C$25.99. At that price it’s well worth it.

   But if you’re not sure you want to make the investment, I also recommend Celeste Classic for the PICO-8. Not only is it the original game, it’s also free and can be played on any PC or handheld with a PICO-8 emulator.

   Celeste, in any guise, is a true modern classic.