By: Max Cannon
A lot of different games flash across my TV, some of them good and some of them are not so good. If you're looking for a great gaming recommendation you are reading the right article. Each and every month I'll give you the update on my favorite game I played over the last 30 or 31 days. Some of these games will be newer releases and some will be ancient games that I dug out of my dusty old cabinet but they'll always be something I'm passionate about.
This month's game is...
Celeste
Celeste was a surpsingly emotional story packed around some satisfying gameplay.
When Celeste first released earlier this year, I was skeptical about the latest indie craze of a game. The retro-looking platformer was getting showered with critical praise but that's a claim that has disappointed me before. Though on a pair of flights across the country I had enough downtime, and boredom, to inspire a purchase of the game that showed me how wrong I was to doubt Celeste. Some awesome platforming gameplay is paired with a genuinely thoughtful story that is worth every penny.
This is the type of game that gives indie games a good reputation.Courtesy of Dualshockers
A Sweet Story
Celeste centers around Madeline as she climbs the mysterious Celeste Mountain. That setup doesn't sound like anything too crazy for a game but the focus on personal and relatable themes surrounding topics like depression and overcoming failure is touching for any artistic medium, especially video games. The game is a challenge, and the lessons you learn from failure in the gameplay make the story's message shine through even brighter.
Celeste holds a memorable cast of characters.Courtesy of Hardcore Gamer
The game's dialogue between Madeline and the others on the mountain keeps the pacing fast and fluid but the main struggle is between Madeline and a darker, more cynical version of herself which had been dubbed by players as Badeline. As Madeline begins her climb she's antagonized by her negative feelings but toward the end of the journey, she learns that the negative parts of her still have worth.
Madeline's personal struggles keep the story interesting.Courtesy of Amazon
Pixel Perfect Platforming
Celeste can definitely make you feel but that's completely separate from how good the game feels to play. You're going to lose often, I died over 1,000 times during my first playthrough because navigating Celeste Mountain with Madeline's jump and dash presents some sizable challenge. There's a slew of power-ups alongside some optional strawberries that act as collectibles that unlock extra content to keep you always grabbing something. If you fall off or take a single hit from an enemy, you'll be sent back to a checkpoint but the time between life and death is so short that it keeps things engaging.
Celeste – Nintendo Switch Trailer
The game is available on all of the main platforms like PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One but playing Celeste on the Nintendo Switch feels like a match made in heaven. The main story is a decent length but that extra content pads the memorable story and gameplay to give this more value than your standard downloadable game.
Some Other Awesome Games I Played This Month:
- Splatoon 2
- Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
- PUBG
Have Your Say!
What did your month of gaming look like? Have you tried out Celeste or any other indie game this summer? Share your thoughts below!
