The pixel art style was praised as well and its music, with reviewers appreciating how it complemented the gameplay. Reviewers lauded the story as a whole as easy to relate to or 'touching', and the depiction of depression and anxiety were praised.

Critics appreciated its approach to difficulty and accessibility. Reviewers appreciated how narrative complimented its gameplay, and movement and controls were lauded as among the best in any video game. Upon release, it received 'universal acclaim' from critics. The soundtrack was composed by Lena Raine.Ĭeleste released on January 25, 2018, for Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows, before being released on Xbox One the following day, and on Google Stadia in July 2020. The themes of self-forgiveness present in the narrative began with the idea of creating a 'more introspective' game, and later grew to become intertwined with the gameplay. Celeste was designed to be accessible, featuring game mechanics intended to make the game more forgiving in addition to an 'Assist Mode' offering several options to make the game less challenging. 3 (1988), the gameplay was designed to be minimal, while mirroring Thorson's experiences with bouldering.

Inspired in part by Thorson's own TowerFall (2013) and by Super Mario Bros. Thorson, who served as producer, and Berry, who served as the lead programmer, wanted to expand the PICO-8 game into a full release.

During her climb, she encounters several characters, including a personification of her self-doubt known to the community as Badeline, only ever referred to in-game as a 'Part of You,' who attempts to stop her from climbing the mountain.ĭevelopment of Celeste began in August 2015, when game developers Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry participated in a game jam, where they created Celeste for the PICO-8. The player controls Madeline, a young trans woman with anxiety and depression who aims to climb Celeste Mountain. Celeste is a 2018 platform game developed and published by indie studio Maddy Makes Games.

Free download her story steam