Pros:
+ the visual style and feel are close to the original consoles
+ the infos on classic consoles are a sweet tribute
+ collectables are saved even when dying

Cons:
- having to play through levels in sequence is a huge design flaw
- the jump mechanics are difficult to get used to
- enemy movement is arbitrary
- collision detection is subpar
- retractable spikes in particular are tough to navigate
- the level design in later levels is highly confusing
- unfair situations are plentiful
- losing a heart early spells the immediate end of an attempt
- screen dimensions and doors are often not discernible
- no option to quit to the level select screen


Playtime: 1 hour, 23 of 116 levels completed.

Blagic Moment: Entering the level "Monster Palace" and getting stuck in an unfair situation only to find that it's entirely optional.

Verdict:
A weird little game with a fresh central idea of playing through the history of video games. However, the bare mechanics are not working well, the jumping is too tough to control, and the level design is frequently confusing.

I abandoned this quickly and do not recommend it.

I've seen many people that were completely consumed by this game and spent hours and hours and hours on it, but honestly i don't really see why. The game isn't very specific about what it wants you to do, and to me it seemed like the game play was planting crops and then walking to and from town over and over again. there is a combat mode but it doesn't control great, and i couldn't figure out how to progress relationships with the characters or whatever it was the game expected me to do without telling me or guiding me. its just kind of boring and i say that as someone who can enjoy more laid back games. maybe i need a guide or something like in terraria, but id much rather the game have a proper tutorial than expecting me to read a Wikipedia page.

I like how every time we see Madeline she gets a bit gayer

Celeste Classic (2015): Just lil jump girl
Celeste (2018): Implied trans woman with ex boyfriend
Celeste Farewell (2019): Confirmed trans woman no partner mentioned
Celeste 64 (2024): Trans woman with girlfriend

Next time we see Madeline she better be in a 12 person lesbian polycule or else I'm not buying