I played this game back when it first came out on Switch, and thought it was the best platformer I have ever played. Decided to replay it on PS4 to get all the trophies this time, and I still think that.
This game has some of the best difficulty balancing and level design of any game I've seen. Most people will find the main story of the game challenging to get through, but it's still very doable for those who aren't very good at platformers. If you struggle more than most though, and want to see the excellent story to it's ending, the game has assist mode which allows you to customize the game to make it easier. It's an extremely well done, and thoughtful way to make the game more widely accessible. Now if you are like me and like a challenging platformer, you can go for and collect all of the strawberries. The strawberries are either a hidden secret, an extra platforming challenge, or force you to do a platforming challenge in a more difficult way. This way the story gives challenge to those who want it. Of course the game also goes further with B-sides and C-sides, which are harder versions of story's levels. Easy to ignore for those who just want the story, but really fun and satisfying to complete for those after a challenge.
The platforming itself is also rock solid. The dash feels absurdly good to use, and it's really fun using some the techniques they teach you after the main game like the wavedash to really break some levels. I imagine this game would be absurdly fun to speed run because of that. What's cool about the platforming though is that it is not just a normal platformer like a Mario or Super Meat Boy, but there is often a bit of a puzzle element to it. You often have to ask yourself where you need to use your dash to past a screen. It's not necessarily completely unique to Celeste, but it did feel particularly prominent in this game.
I also seriously need to shout out the composer for this game Lena Raine. She writes some incredible music, and she really outdid herself with this game. Some of the best video game music I have ever heard. I love the way the song Farewell is used in the DLC level. As you make it through the level the song gets closer and closer to its climax, and it is just so satisfying and beautiful. I do wonder sometimes how much of my love for this game is due to the music alone. It's really that good.
I don't think have anything more say.... just play this game gosh darnit. Just about everyone can get something out of it whether it be the wonderful story about overcoming anxiety and depression, the incredible and fun platforming, and/or the beautiful music by Lena Raine. This game is just about perfection, and is easily one of my favorite games.
This game has some of the best difficulty balancing and level design of any game I've seen. Most people will find the main story of the game challenging to get through, but it's still very doable for those who aren't very good at platformers. If you struggle more than most though, and want to see the excellent story to it's ending, the game has assist mode which allows you to customize the game to make it easier. It's an extremely well done, and thoughtful way to make the game more widely accessible. Now if you are like me and like a challenging platformer, you can go for and collect all of the strawberries. The strawberries are either a hidden secret, an extra platforming challenge, or force you to do a platforming challenge in a more difficult way. This way the story gives challenge to those who want it. Of course the game also goes further with B-sides and C-sides, which are harder versions of story's levels. Easy to ignore for those who just want the story, but really fun and satisfying to complete for those after a challenge.
The platforming itself is also rock solid. The dash feels absurdly good to use, and it's really fun using some the techniques they teach you after the main game like the wavedash to really break some levels. I imagine this game would be absurdly fun to speed run because of that. What's cool about the platforming though is that it is not just a normal platformer like a Mario or Super Meat Boy, but there is often a bit of a puzzle element to it. You often have to ask yourself where you need to use your dash to past a screen. It's not necessarily completely unique to Celeste, but it did feel particularly prominent in this game.
I also seriously need to shout out the composer for this game Lena Raine. She writes some incredible music, and she really outdid herself with this game. Some of the best video game music I have ever heard. I love the way the song Farewell is used in the DLC level. As you make it through the level the song gets closer and closer to its climax, and it is just so satisfying and beautiful. I do wonder sometimes how much of my love for this game is due to the music alone. It's really that good.
I don't think have anything more say.... just play this game gosh darnit. Just about everyone can get something out of it whether it be the wonderful story about overcoming anxiety and depression, the incredible and fun platforming, and/or the beautiful music by Lena Raine. This game is just about perfection, and is easily one of my favorite games.