So, I’m new here, and I want to write something I think will help at least one person. So, I love video games, I’ve played Nintendo, Sonic, Playstation, and a lot more. But there are two games in my life that have impacted me in the best way possible. The first one being: Persona5. Which I’ll probably get into later on. But the main game I want to talk about, is Celeste.
The story of Celeste can be simply put “A girl climbing a mountain”. But if you say just that, it doesn’t sound that interesting. But once you get deep into the story, it becomes relatable and overall comforting.
The main character: Madeline, is climbing Celeste Mountain. She doesn’t know exactly why but she feels like she needs to accomplish something. In the 2nd level of the game, Madeline encounters a mirror, which apparently unleashes a dark form of Madeline. Fans call her “Badeline” because of puns. And Badeline basically acts like a villain. And apparently, Badeline is a form of Madeline that is about her self-doubt, anxiety, and fear. But she acts like a villain because she’s basically telling Madeline negative thoughts. And it seems bad right? Almost like we want to destroy her. But, the game disagrees…..
In the 6th level, titled “Reflection” Madeline is close to the summit of the mountain. And Madeline thinks that she should abandon Badeline and “set her free”. Of course, Badeline doesn’t approve at all, and throws Madeline off into the bottom of the mountain into the caverns. And in this part of the level, Madeline does some reflection. Saying how Badeline is such a bad person, and treating her like a disease. But as she goes further into the caverns, the old woman (Who appears at the start of the game) gives Madeline some advice. And thinks that Badeline might be afraid. And she turns out to be right. As Madeline goes further in and then battles her, Badeline basically gives up and says that she’ll go away and be abandoned. But Madeline, actually treats her as the cure instead. And with their combines powers, they both start helping each other reach the summit of Celeste Mountain….

This game…. is a game that will really change your life. I can honestly say this game gave me a realization of who I am in a way. All my life has been about “outrunning” my mental illness or “getting over it” and “overcoming” it. That’s all fine and all, but this game suddenly opened my eyes that that was NOT the only way to deal with it. You have to be able to understand yourself and your mental symptoms. Listen to it when it speaks to you, but try to work together to overcome your fears, not shove it in a closet and pretend it doesn’t exist. I don’t exist without my mental illnesses, and vice versa. So instead of trying to destroy a part of myself, Celeste taught me to try and understand what the other part of me is saying. Acknowledge it, but don’t be overruled by it. Listen to its fears, and urge it and yourself to be determined. Find common ground. I seriously had an epiphany when I played this game. It shifted the axis of my entire life, and definitely in a positive way. This game changed me for the better. There are no words to describe how I feel about Celeste. It’s a game about conquering yourself and not giving up no matter what. So please, give Celeste the chance it deserves. Because after seeing what Madeline went through with her own struggles, I tried to reach for my summit too….