Extremely OK Games’ Celeste (2018) is the ultimate pixel-perfect platformer, where you guide Madeline up the treacherous Celeste Mountain—a brutal ascent that’s as much about battling inner demons as spike-filled screens. I powered through the main 8 chapters, tackled the free Farewell DLC, unlocked some B-sides for that extra sting, and toggled assist mode to savor both casual climbs and masochistic mastery. It’s punishing yet profoundly fair, blending heart-pounding precision with a raw story on anxiety that lingers long after the summit.
Gameplay: Tight-as-a-Dash Controls, Infinite Replay
Every jump, wall-climb, and dash feels telepathic—Madeline responds instantly, turning “one more try” into addiction. 700+ screens across chapters ramp from forgiving tutorials to Farewell’s heart-of-hearts gauntlet (the hardest platforming ever?). Collect strawberries, hearts (permadeath buffs), cassette tapes for remixes—layered challenges reward mastery without frustration.
Story & Endings: Emotional Peaks and Valleys
Madeline’s journey mirrors real anxiety—her “Badeline” alter-ego as a fluffy-haired antagonist forces self-confrontation. Chapters like Reflection and Heart are narrative gut-punches, with poignant cutscenes and OST bangers (“First Steps” will wreck you). Multiple endings via collectibles tie choices to growth; Farewell caps it with a meta-multiverse finale that’s cathartic perfection. No loose ends here—pure closure.
Verdict: Climb it. Conquer yourself.