Madeline’s adventure to reach the summit of Celeste mountain is just as much about conquering its physical challenges as facing her own emotional ones. Along the way, the obstacles she experiences are manifestations of her insecurities, self-doubt, anxiety and depression. Even the gameplay itself feels like an extension of what it is like to experience mental ill-health with platforming puzzles that require perseverance and no shortage of failure to overcome. Ultimately, as she strives to reach the mountain's peak, Madeline’s journey becomes a powerful metaphor for learning to co-exist with the demons inside her.