Celeste

Game images by RAWG

Celeste

Extremely OK Games (formerly Maddy Makes Games)

Nintendo Switch; PlayStation 4/5 (via PS4 build); Xbox One; Windows; macOS; Linux; Google StadiaPaid (one-time purchase)

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Celeste is a challenging 2D platformer praised for its precise controls and a heartfelt story about overcoming anxiety. While its high difficulty and mature emotional themes mean it's not for every child, an excellent Assist Mode allows parents to tailor the challenge. It’s a qualified fit for resilient players aged 9+ who can engage with its deeper narrative.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Celeste is a uniquely challenging and emotionally resonant game best suited for older children and teens who are patient, resilient, and ready to engage with themes of anxiety and self-doubt. The 'Decent' health score of 49 reflects its significant gameplay merits balanced against its high difficulty and mature narrative topics. Parents will appreciate the robust accessibility options that can soften the challenge, making it a worthwhile consideration for families willing to discuss its deeper story.

What kids actually do

Players repeatedly attempt precise jumps, dashes, and wall climbs across intricate levels, developing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.
Players experiment with various movement combinations to navigate complex environmental puzzles, fostering logical thinking and spatial reasoning.
Players follow the narrative through character dialogue and environmental storytelling, engaging with a story that explores themes of mental health and perseverance.

Where it shines

The game offers exceptionally tight, responsive controls and level design that make moment-to-moment platforming incredibly satisfying, even amidst high challenge.
An outstanding Assist Mode allows parents to customize difficulty, from infinite dashes to invincibility, making the experience accessible for a wider range of skill levels.
The narrative sensitively portrays themes of anxiety and self-discovery, providing a meaningful backdrop to the difficult journey up the mountain.

Parent watch-outs

Celeste is mechanically very difficult, especially in its later levels and optional content, which can lead to significant frustration for younger or less patient players.
The story addresses mature themes of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, which, while handled thoughtfully, may be emotionally intense for some children and includes brief mild language and an alcohol reference.
The game’s progression relies heavily on trial and error and mastering complex movement patterns, which might deter children looking for a more straightforward or less demanding experience.

Family rules worth setting

Encourage your child to use the Assist Mode if they become frustrated, adjusting options like game speed or extra dashes to maintain engagement without sacrificing the core experience.
Set a time limit for play sessions to prevent excessive frustration from difficult sections and promote balanced screen time.
Play alongside your child or engage in discussions about the game's story, particularly the protagonist's struggles with anxiety, to provide context and emotional support.

Talk about this

How does Madeline’s journey up the mountain reflect challenges we face in real life, and what does the game teach us about persistence and self-acceptance?
When you feel frustrated in the game, what strategies do you use to overcome it? How can those strategies apply to other difficult situations outside of gaming?
Let's talk about the feelings Madeline experiences. Have you ever felt anxious or overwhelmed like her, and what helps you when you do?

Play style

Celeste's core gameplay loop involves short bursts of intense, precise platforming followed by near-instantaneous retries. Sessions are typically solo. The difficulty is high, demanding concentration and quick reflexes, but the excellent Assist Mode allows parents to reduce friction significantly. Children may need help understanding the more nuanced movement mechanics or navigating particularly challenging sections, even with assists enabled, and certainly to discuss the emotional weight of the narrative.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

2/5

Creativity

1/5

Pro-Social

0/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

0/5

Content Intensity

3/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

2/5

Celeste offers minimal direct educational content in the traditional sense, focusing instead on skill development and emotional literacy. While it fosters problem-solving and perseverance through its gameplay, these benefits are inherent to its genre rather than explicit educational design, hence a score of 2.

Addictive Monetization

0/5

The game has a clean business model, being a one-time purchase with no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, or battle passes. This absence of monetization schemes means there are no design elements engineered to encourage excessive spending or engagement through addictive tactics, resulting in a score of 0.

Content Intensity

3/5

Content intensity is moderate, primarily due to the emotional weight of its narrative themes concerning anxiety and depression, which can be intense for younger players. Additionally, the game contains brief mild language and an alcohol reference, contributing to a score of 3.

Negatives

•High mechanical difficulty can frustrate younger players
•themes of anxiety/depression and brief mild language/alcohol reference may require parental discussion.

Positives

•Excellent, highly polished platforming and controls
•strong accessibility options (Assist Mode) and a thoughtful narrative about mental health.

Gameplay Videos

Celeste Full Game Walkthrough - No Commentary (CELESTE Full Gameplay Walkthrough)

RabidRetrospectGames

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Official Ratings

E10+

ESRB

Alcohol ReferenceFantasy ViolenceMild Language

No Interactive Elements

PEGI

Mild violence / scary themes (PEGI 7)

Age Fit

ℹ️Ages 3-5

Not recommended. The controls are too complex, and the mature themes are unsuitable for this age group.

ℹ️Ages 6-8

Generally not recommended. The mechanical difficulty and emotional themes are too advanced for most children, even with Assist Mode.

ℹ️Ages 9-12

Mixed — a qualified fit for ages 10-12, especially for resilient players with parental guidance. Assist Mode is highly recommended to manage frustration, and discussions about the story are crucial.

ℹ️Ages 13-15

Recommended. The challenging gameplay and thoughtful exploration of anxiety are a good fit, offering valuable opportunities for discussion and skill development.

ℹ️Ages 16-18

Recommended. A suitable and engaging experience for older teens and adults, with minimal content concerns and a resonant narrative.