Madeline

Lore & Background

The story centers on Madeline's ascent, where she meets an older woman named Granny, an explorer from Seattle called Theo, a spirit named Mr. Oshiro who owns a decrepit hotel, and Badeline, a physical representation of her depression and anxiety known in-game as "Part of Me." As she climbs, Badeline attempts to deter her progress. In one specific instance, Madeline helps Theo navigate Mr. Oshiro's hotel. Later, while riding a broken gondola, Theo helps Madeline manage an anxiety attack by telling her to imagine a feather floating up and down. She later uses this method when Badeline tries to discourage her further, though Badeline sends her down the mountain anyway. The narrative arc involves Madeline initially fighting Badeline but eventually learning to function with her. Thorson framed the story knowing Madeline would fall off the mountain and climb back up, reflecting a process where internal conflict remains at the end.

In Their Own Story

Throughout the game, Madeline encounters various obstacles, including her own shadow self, Badeline, who tries to stop her from climbing any further. The music, composed by Lena Raine, is designed to be "almost 1:1 with her internal state," conveying feelings of self-discovery and acceptance. A pivotal turning point occurs when Madeline and Badeline make up and work together to reach the summit. After reaching the top, they return to the base camp where Madeline makes a pie using her collectable strawberries for all the other characters she met along the way. Thorson notes that while the story shows progress, players should be aware that Madeline was still grappling with an internal conflict at the end of the narrative.

Reader's Guide

Madeline's gameplay revolves around platforming mechanics like jumping and dashing to overcome environmental hazards. Her true challenge is navigating her mental state alongside the physical climb. The game features a character named Badeline, who represents Madeline's anxiety; players must learn to cooperate with this internal antagonist rather than defeat her. In the 2024 freeware game Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain, which takes place after the original events, Madeline returns as the protagonist alongside the same cast. The original game also saw Madeline and Badeline added as playable characters when TowerFall was ported to the Nintendo Switch. For players, understanding that the goal is acceptance rather than elimination of these internal struggles is key to mastering both the story and the mechanics.

Did You Know?

• Madeline's identity as a trans woman was confirmed by creator Maddy Thorson in 2020, after the release of the Farewell DLC.
• The music for Celeste was composed by Lena Raine with the specific intention of being "almost 1:1" with Madeline's internal state.
• In the game, Theo helps Madeline deal with an anxiety attack on a broken gondola by telling her to imagine a feather floating up and down.
• After reaching the summit, Madeline makes a pie using her collectable strawberries for all of the other characters she met.
• Maddy Thorson stated that during Celeste's development, she did not know that either she or Madeline were trans, only forming a hunch during Farewell DLC development.