We discuss ten games like Celeste you must play. Add these well-recommended games to your gaming library.
Celeste is a 2018 2-D platformer developed and published by Maddy Makes Games. It sees players control a girl called Madeline, someone suffering from anxiety and depression who wants to climb the perilous Celeste Mountain. On her way, she meets several characters, including Badeline, a personification of her self-doubt.
Platformers are an extremely popular genre of game, with many different styles in the mix, like 2-D ones or even 3-D ones.
Video games are also beginning to broach the subject of mental health, with other titles exploring themes of anxiety, depression, and other previously taboo topics through gameplay. Here are ten games that are like Celeste that you must play.
10 games like Celeste
Hollow Knight (2017)
In Hollow Knight, players control an insectoid knight as they platform through the fallen kingdom of Hallownest. A supernatural disease has overtaken the subterranean world, and players will encounter friendly and hostile insectoid creatures and nightmarish bosses.
They’ll also unlock more abilities as they progress, allowing for backtracking to explore areas previously unavailable.
Rayman Legends (2013)
A platformer developed and published by Ubisoft, Rayman Legends has players controlling the titular Rayman. It seems they complete various levels, freeing Teensies and Lums as they make their way through the world.
Ori and the Blind Forest (2019)
In another 2-D Metroidvania, players control Ori, a white spirit, and Sein, the “light and eyes” of the Forest’s Spirit Tree. Players have to complete puzzles and platforms, manage limited resources, and upgrade Ori’s skills. As they do this, previous locations will open up to the player, letting them explore new areas.
Shovel Knight (2014)
A game with a classic 8-bit graphical style, Shovel Knight is a side-scrolling 2-D platformer that gives players control of the titular Knight, who uses his shovel to attack foes and dig up treasure. Players have to conquer the world map, defeating terrible bosses along their way to victory.
Iconoclasts (2018)
Developed by Joakim “Konjak” Sandberg and published by Bifrost Entertainment, Iconoclasts sees players take control of Robin as they explore the world. There is a heavy emphasis on boss battles in this 2-D platformer, though there are still more traditional levels and even some Metroidvania-style backtracking.
Super Meat Boy (2010)
Super Meat Boy is a tough 2-D platformer with difficult levels to beat. Players control a slab of red meat called Meat Boy on his way to save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl, a heavily bandaged cube, from the evil mastermind Dr. Fetus.
The goal is to master split-second jumps and dashes to avoid crumbling blocks, saw blades, and many other fatal obstacles.
Life is Strange (2015)
While Life is Strange is a completely different style of game to Celeste, it features similar themes of mental health. Players take control of Maxine “Max” Caulfield. She finds out she has the power to rewind time, which she immediately uses to save her best friend, Chloe, from being shot. But Max soon learns that these powers have consequences, as the butterfly effect of her actions begins to take hold.
What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)
Themes of mental health are also present in What Remains of Edith Finch. Players take control of the titular Edith as they explore what happened to her family members by exploring the massive Finch household and learn why Edith is the only one in her family who is left alive.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice (2017)
Another game that explores mental health in a video game is Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice. Players control the titular Senua, a Pict warrior who has to make her way through the dark fantasy world of Helheim as she faces challenges from otherworldly entities on her way to save her dead lover.
But what makes the game unique is its depiction of psychosis, which impacts both story and gameplay.
Omori (2020)
Finally, there’s Omori. Themes of mental health are present in this game, too, with players taking control of a boy called Sunny and his dreamworld alter ego Omori. The player explores both the real world and the surreal world as Sunny overcomes or suppresses fears and forgotten secrets.
The game has a turn-based battle system with unconventional, emotional-based status effects.
Do you have any other recommendations for games like Celeste? Let us know in the comments below.
