Mother Gamer Plays Celeste

On my day off from streaming, I decided to play Celeste. I had seen others play it and the story, artwork, and gameplay intrigued me. I realized the keyboard controls were rough on my arthritic hands so I hooked up a controller to play. Celeste starts with an introduction to the platform jumping gameplay of the game. You play as a young woman named Madeline as she climbs the mountain avoiding various hazards and obstacles.

Madeline learns about the mountain.

There was a bit of a learning curve for me with Celeste as I tried to figure out when to air dash and how quickly I had to jump and move across ledges, whether or not I could climb up a wall, and trying not to panic as pathways crumbled underneath me. Once I got the hang of it, I was able to enjoy the game. I did turn on Assist Mode because it was my first time playing the game which helped a bit. I failed a lot of course as I missed a jump or Madeline ran out of stamina as she climbed a wall. However, I wasn't mad about it because I was having fun with the game and genuinely loving the story as well as appreciating the art style and the music. 

Timing those jumps and dashes!

As I progressed through the game, it added a few more mechanics I had to learn. This took me quite a few tries, but I appreciated the care and thought that went into this game as I followed the story. I liked meeting all the different characters on Madeline's journey because it added different layers and viewpoints. The characters were likable and that includes the main character herself. I related so much to Madeline because of the anxiety she feels and the depression that lies to her. I have lived with depression and anxiety for so long that there are days where it feels like it is a great burden of grey that will consume me. Playing through Celeste was cathartic for me in a way because here was the main character going through these things and having similar thoughts that I have had when trying to do better about caring for my own mental health. One of my favorite scenes in Celeste is the gondola and feather breathing scene. I understood all too well that feeling of overwhelming panic that is so intense you feel as if you can not breathe. That scene was so beautiful and deeply personal to me, that I realized just how special Celeste is. 

This moment in the game was a favorite for me.

As I kept playing the game, I found more and more details that I loved. The big thing is the story because it is so well done as it gently conveys the message that it's okay to fail and that it's vital for us to be kind to ourselves and take care of our mental health. It also homed in on the point that sometimes we have to take a step back in order to take care of ourselves and not hurt others. Celeste is a challenging platform jumper game, but it's also so much more. It is a beautifully thoughtful story about the importance of being honest with ourselves about our mental health and take the steps to practice self care. It also shows us that it's okay to fall and be scared, but that there is always hope and that is what we hold onto to get us through the grey days. Celeste moved me to tears with the story because it made me feel so deeply and intensely for the characters. I appreciated the message about loving and accepting myself as I am. The gameplay is well done and the music fits each scene and level perfectly. We need more games like Celeste because we need that gentle reminder that it's okay to not be okay and it's okay to need help and ask for it. I am going to play through it again because it was that good for me. 

This is such a beautiful game. 

*Celeste is available to play on the following platforms: Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Xbox One

*Come hang out and discuss mental health with our community as we enjoy games: https://www.twitch.tv/mothergamer