Bloom 05 · Platformer · Maddy Makes Games / Extremely OK Games, 2018
Celeste
A young woman climbs a mountain while fighting her own anxiety. Precise, demanding and kind, with an assist mode for anyone who needs it.
Edition reviewed: Celeste (2018).
Official artwork © Maddy Makes Games / Extremely OK GamesWhat you do
Jump, dash and climb through short, tough screens, retrying instantly until you get it right.
Who it suits
Players who like a challenge with a big heart. The assist mode makes it possible for anyone.
01The first hour
Madeline arrives at the foot of Celeste Mountain. The first hour teaches dashing and climbing in short, fair screens, and it already feels wonderful.
02The middle
The middle chapters get harder and the story about anxiety gets braver. Deaths are counted, but the game reminds you they mean you are learning.
03Where to stop
Each screen is a checkpoint, so you can stop at any moment. One chapter per evening is a great pace.
Why it works
- Perfect controls
- A kind, honest story
- Assist mode for everyone
Watch out for
- Hard in places
- Longer than others on this list
The score
Overall 4.8 out of 5 · Full bloom · how we score
Our verdict
The best platformer of its kind. Climb one chapter a night.
Written by the Foxglove Save Point desk. Updated 23 October 2026. Facts were checked against the publisher and store pages at that date; prices and platforms can change.