Celeste

Celeste is a surprise masterpiece. Its 2D platforming is some of the best and toughest since Super Meat Boy, with levels that are as challenging to figure out as they are satisfying to complete.

Celeste is a difficult, powerful, rewarding adventure.

A platformer aimed at speedrunners is also an adventure for the rest of us to savour.

An engaging, vibrant and challenging platformer that adds narrative to a genre often shy of it.

Celeste reaches beyond, showing that tricky, well-designed platforming challenges are really just the tip of the iceberg. There's far more underneath the surface. And maybe that's worth dying for.

A solid story and rewarding platforming sequences makes for a highly gratifying climb

Celeste is a difficult game about overcoming difficulties. Come for the challenge, stay for the joy of Madeline's company and the generosity of this wonderful game.

For the first time in ages, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Celeste was everything I'd hoped for and then some. I'm not saying this is the best video game I've ever played. It's much too early to start declaring things like that. What I am saying is that this is an essential gaming experience. Everything this team set out to do they accomplished. If you have any love for indie games, you're about to fall head over heels. These people have created something very close to perfection.

I'll remember Celeste for a long time to come, thinking back on its mystical ruins and wind-swept peak. It's a joyous game brimming with hope and one of the best video game jumps ever.

Celeste is a wonderful precision platformer that does far more than simply challenge your dexterity. While there's plenty of intense screen-hopping to enjoy, it's offset by a well-told, personal story that softens the hard edged gameplay with some great slower moments. What's more, you can enjoy the story even if you're struggling with the platforming using the Assist Mode to bend the game's difficulty to your liking. The action is super smooth (though we did have to battle with the dash on occasion), there are lots of secrets to uncover, and it looks and sounds great. Even with some rare bugs, fans of both a steep challenge and a heartfelt narrative will find a lot to like about Celeste.