Celeste, developed by Maddy Makes Games, was officially announced as a challenging platformer focusing on mental health themes.
Celeste was released on multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its gameplay and story.
Celeste won several awards including the Games for Impact award at The Game Awards 2018, recognizing its emphasis on mental health and its influential storytelling.
An additional chapter titled 'Farewell' was released as free DLC, expanding the game's narrative and challenging content.
This is a fun indie gem. Visual Novel, slight choose your own adventure (so far). 10 Hours in currently. The premise and world is really interesting, and the type of scenario I wanted after reading Permutation City by Greg Egan. Dealing with mind/consciousness, and AI. Topics I like exploring.
Biggest downsides so far are that it's quite wordy. The English translation has issues now and then. So far is it doesn't feel like I can actually make very many impactful choices. I can sometimes, but even if I do 'all the things I'm absolutely not supposed to do', the game steers me back to being successful. So more like an interactive story so far; though I know there are supposed to be multiple endings.
Absolutely loving playing through this right now. If you like the old-school combat/puzzle mix that quite a few old jpgs have - this game is gonna blow you away. Dungeons, puzzles, bosses, nice progression - it's a love letter in the best sense of the phrase. Worth every penny and then some.
This game is such a beautiful love letter to old school JRPGs. Real Golden Sun vibes at times. If you enjoy any of what I just mentioned, it's worth giving this one a shot.