Game:

Celeste (2018)

Duration: 9:29

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28

Despite how much I love platformers and how frequently I play games in the genre, it’s very rare for one to have an emotional impact. Not only does Celeste achieve this, but it also has some of the tightest and most satisfying gameplay around, meaning it’s a great experience whether you’re in it for the platforming or the story.

Really, these two elements perfectly play off each other. Though the story is superficially just about a young woman climbing a mountain, it’s really about overcoming self-doubt, facing your insecurities, and growing as a person. Climbing this mountain is difficult, both metaphorically and literally in the high difficulty of the game, but it’s not like other difficult platformers that taunt you and are smug about their challenge. Rather, this is a game that wants you to succeed, encouraging you through every obstacle, showing that you can clear it no matter how impossible it may seem. The subtext on gender identity is also great and a welcome extra bit of discourse in a game about coming to terms with yourself and your limitations. Of course, it’s all through the lens of a simple sidescrolling video game, but even divorced from any real-world lessons it’s still just a refreshing take on an old genre.

And that’s what makes Celeste so timeless – it’s just genuinely fun to play. I rarely replay games, but I found myself picking this one up multiple times and enjoying it anew each time. Most recently was the N64 inspired spinoff Fragments of the Mountain that still manages to be incredibly satisfying to play, despite moving into 3D. This is clearly a series that understands what makes good platforming and I eagerly await what comes next from Maddy Makes Games.

Finally, the last essential ingredient is the excellent soundtracks by Lena Raine. Her music is beloved by anyone who’s experienced the game for good reason – it strikes the perfect balance of being emotional and uplifting, while also being genuinely catchy. It’s hard to pick a favorite track, but this theme from the first stage is certainly the most iconic – here are all of its many iterations!

Systems: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4 (PSN), Switch (eShop), Xbox One (XBLA)
Games: Celeste, Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain
Music Titles: "First Steps," "Forsaken City (Sever the Skyline Mix)," "Next Steps," "wavedash.ppt"
Composers: Lena Raine & Maxo

0:00 - First Steps
3:39 - Maxo - Forsaken City (Sever the Skyline Mix)
6:10 - Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain ~ Next Steps
8:39 - wavedash.ppt

Get the original soundtrack here: http://tinyurl.com/2yfjptka
Get the B-sides here: http://tinyurl.com/46k3zump
Get the Farewell DLC soundtrack here: http://tinyurl.com/tzd2r35t
Get the Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain soundtrack here: http://tinyurl.com/mvwrnaxw

Also see Klagmar's Top VGM #2,811: https://youtu.be/reeJnHR2pa0
Klagmar's Top VGM #2,910: https://youtu.be/N8-Io_KTAww
Klagmar's Top VGM #3,013: https://youtu.be/B-rUx3zJq14
Klagmar's Top VGM #3,159: https://youtu.be/zqI_Wqyeg4I
Klagmar's Top VGM #3,263: https://youtu.be/cR0_UhFs7go
Klagmar's Top VGM #3,428: https://youtu.be/yqJB9zLvQH4
Klagmar's Top VGM #3,752: https://youtu.be/YHAxQLjfI2E
and Klagmar's Top VGM #4,050: https://youtu.be/Zyuhq46D7OU

A list of my favorite video game music. It's not in any order, and is intended purely for entertainment. Perhaps it will also introduce a few obscure titles or unknown songs. Enjoy!