Celeste is a beautiful, heart-wrenching platformer that takes skill, patience, and wrists that won't quit on you. It's hard, but that's kind of the point - it wants to teach you a lesson about never giving up, even when you don't believe in yourself.
Celeste Classic 2 is a free PICO-8 platformer in a similar style, made by Maddy Thorson, Noel Berry, and Lena Raine - two of the developers and the composer, respectively - to celebrate the three-year anniversary of Celeste's release. And it's hard.
https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1353852915299962880
PICO-8, if you were wondering, is a downloadable "fantasy console" that anyone can make games for. All the games on PICO-8 are 16 colours, and a display of only 128 x 128 pixels, lending the library of games a unique, chunky pixel look that goes great with retro-inspired design.
If you're actually wondering why the game is called "Celeste Classic 2", then you'll be pleased to know that the original, called "Celeste 1.0", is also available on the PICO-8 website. The game, which was the precursor to the full Celeste we know and love, was made in just four days back in 2015. A version of Celeste 1.0 can be found in Celeste, inside a hidden room in Celestial Resort Side A.
Although it features similar, if pared-down mechanics, Celeste Classic 2 features a new grappling hook instead of the air dash, as well as a character that isn't Celeste protagonist Madeline, named Lani. There are at least 16 new strawberries to collect, and according to the people in the comments, it'll take anywhere between five and sixty minutes to complete. You can also listen to the beepy-boopy soundtrack on Lena Raine's bandcamp!
Have you beaten Celeste? What's your Celeste Classic 2 high score? Let us know in the comments!
[source twitter.com]
Comments 21
I really need to beat Celeste, but I need a ridiculous amount of hearts to progress. Maybe someday...
I did actually beat the first Celeste PICO-8 platformer so might have a go at this one!
The original was ported to smile basic, I hope this one will be too
I did beat celeste on switch at the cost of my thumbs, my sanity, my pride, my self esteem... Ok, the sanity was never there in the first place. I might give this a crack if the soundtrack is half as good.
Since it's been 2 years, I hope that means whatever it is they're working on now is not too far off from releasing. I really enjoyed Celeste despite not really being a fan of those types of platformers. Brilliant game and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.
That said, it's been nearly 4 years since Playdead released Inside and going by what little has been shown of it and how ambitious it seems to be, it may still be a long way off yet. I just read some newish info on it there just now. It's going to be a 3rd person open World Sci-fi adventure set in a remote corner of the Universe and if it looks similar to the new art they've showed, it'll be absolutely incredible. Inside is one of the best games I've ever played and Limbo was really good too. If they can make an Inside style game work in a 3D open world and improve their formula even further, then for me, it'll be one of the all time greats. So I'm happy to wait if that's what it can become.
Same goes for the Celeste devs, their next game will likely be another classic.
Oh man, this is awesome. I love Celeste (both the regular and PICO versions), so this is a very nice surprise.
I wouldn't call PICO-8 "web-based", as the software needs to be installed on your computer, and it doesn't require internet connection. However, you can upload the games you've made on the website which can then be played on the website by anyone.
Highly recommend PICO-8, by the way. The best 15$ I've ever used.
I enjoyed my time with Celeste, but I gave up halfway through the C-Side levels. I didn't beat the final super long bonus regular level, either. I'm a glutton for punishment, but once you moved past the B-sides, it got to be too much even for me. I don't think I'll bother with the classic sequel until/unless it's embedded in a future full game sequel (or comes out on a console I own). Not interested in using my pc to play PICO-8.
"It'll take anywhere between five and sixty minutes to complete."
😳 WOAH 😳
Beat it in under half an hour. Fun little game with great new mechanic that still feels similar to Celeste's dashing. Picked up 12 strawberries. I'm too tired to try and get them all right now.
I need to get back to Celeste. I played it at launch, pretty much the first person to sing its praises here, and beat it back then. I was perfectly content with just finishing the game. Only did couple extra things. There's so much stuff I haven't even seen.
Oh, this is nice. Love that it is different enough to feel fresh and the level design keeps you learning almost ever screen. There is a link in the article if you want to play it, in case anyone didn't click the "Celeste Classic 2" link in the article:
https://mattmakesgames.itch.io/celeste-classic-2
@KoopaTheGamer mm, you're right - I was thinking more of the games on it, less about the dev side of things (I've never made one myself, but I've been tempted!)
@sketchturner most people were posting times of about 30 minutes, the five minute runs were speedruns!
@WickedUnicarnBoi I believe in you!!!
I never beaten or gotten the first game oh well.
More Celeste can only be a good thing. Such a great game.
this is hype af
I absolutely adore Celeste in both regular and PICO forms. If anyone is up for the ultimate challenge, try playing the original PICO Celeste on your phone with touchscreen controls! I’ve done it, so I can assure you it is possible!
Here’s the link, for those brave (or mad) enough:
https://www.lexaloffle.com/bbs/?tid=2145#playing
Thank you @KateGray for letting us know that it’s also available to play in Celeste on Switch. Celestial Resort Side A, right? I’ll have to play it there with my pro controller 🙂
If anyone has a link to do this with Celeste Classic 2, please do let me know.
I would like this as a little update for proper Celeste too where they add this in.
Great game, even greater sound track.
@Yosher That would be awesome! I’d love for Matt Thorson to add it into the console version. Heck, I’d even hand over hard cash (or, you know, just use up some eShop credit) for a standalone Switch release of both PICO games!
@iSmokeWii Agreed.. on both counts! Probably my favourite ever indie sound track. Though I do love Jim Guthrie’s work on Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP, too. Played it several times way back when it first released on iPad. I bought the Switch version too, but never got round to playing it. I really must get round to it at some point.
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