Why Celeste is Still a Definitive Modern Classic Indie Game in 2026

2 weeks ago 4

Why You Should Play the Best Indie Game of the Decade in 2026

Published Jan 27, 2026, 2:32 PM EST

Covering the video games industry since 2017, with experience in news, articles, lists, and reviews (and I blame The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask for that).

If you are a fan of RPGs and want a third-person version: Tayná Garcia is a Brazilian journalist (but you can call her Tay) who ended up working with video games after finishing Zelda: Majora's Mask when she was a kid. With more than eight years of experience in the segment, she has been an assistant editor at Jovem Nerd in the past and is currently a contributor at DualShockers and a writer for gaming magazines for Editora Europa. Oh, and she may like Hideo Kojima a bit too much.

3,722 times. I remember to this day that this was the total number of deaths I faced during my first journey up to the top of Celeste Mountain. It sure is a staggering number, but in the mind of Madeline – a girl fighting depression while seeking something special at the summit – each death felt less like a failure and more like a lesson.

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It took some time for me to face my deaths that way. Actually, I don’t think I truly embraced that mindset until quite recently, when I saw the 8th anniversary of Celeste in 2026 as the perfect moment to relive Madeline’s journey. And as I picked up the controller again, I realized that this wasn't just a nostalgic trip; it was exactly what I needed right now.

A Mountain of Eight Years

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Back on its original release in 2018, I was going through one of the most complicated phases of my life. I had reached a point where I needed to make a decision that would change my life forever, and my anxiety was hitting peaks I had never experienced before. My gamer life was also slightly different back then; I had just started working as a gaming journalist, looking at the industry through the wide-eyed lens of a beginner.

Now, in 2026, I’m a very different person. I’m more mature and realistic (you know how college students are excellent dreamers who feel they can change the world overnight), with eight years of experience navigating the professional gaming scene.

But do you know what hasn't changed much? Yeah, my anxiety. The difference now is that I see it everywhere. I’m constantly reading reports of people sharing their struggles – friends, family, or even random strangers on the internet. It didn't take long to realize it wasn't "just in my head." According to recent studies from the American Psychiatric Association, collective anxiety has been rising steadily. "In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023," they noted.

And we can point to many factors, from the lingering shadows of the COVID-19 experience (since it is not every day you survive a global pandemic) to lifestyle stressors like lack of sleep and financial worries. You might be thinking, "Okay, but what does this have to do with Celeste?" And the answer is: everything!

Making Something Simple Become Genius

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As Celeste celebrates its 8th anniversary, the indie scenario is blowing everyone’s mind with incredible experiences and becoming landmarks, such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Hades II.

Yet, taking a minute to isolate from newcomers and replaying this masterpiece today feels more vital than ever. In a world where global mental health awareness is at the forefront of the conversation, Celeste’s simple yet complex design hasn't just aged well, but it has also become a blueprint for empathetic storytelling.

At its core, it is a side-scrolling platformer with a quite transparent soul. It doesn't hide behind complex skill trees or convoluted lore. You jump, you climb, and you dash – and that’s it. But within those basic mechanics, the Extremely OK Games studio crafted a level of precision that turns simplicity into pure genius.

Celeste characters art on left, Celeste level screenshot top right and bottom right

Celeste Deserves Even More Praise Than It Got

Despite winning multiple awards, Celeste should remain a benchmark for accessibility in games.

For starters, the environment is your primary antagonist (rings a bell?), and there are no enemies to slay. There are only gaps to jump across, deadly spikes to avoid, and your own stamina to manage.

In a world where global mental health awareness is at the forefront of the conversation, Celeste’s simple yet complex design hasn't just aged well, but it has also become a blueprint for empathetic storytelling.

And going through its levels is really, really punishing and challenging, yes, but it is never unfair. You just have to believe in yourself that you are going to make it, because every time you fail, you reappear instantly to try again. So the game doesn't want you to quit; it wants you to take a deep breath and try again.

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The first time I played it, I understood this message, but didn’t truly feel it. Now, replaying Celeste felt like some kind of weirdly comfy therapy, especially when I reached a specific moment where the game literally teaches you a breathing exercise.

It asks you to visualize a feather floating in the air to calm a panic attack. In the middle of my own personal storm back then, and even now, hearing the game calmly say “just breathe” was a turning point. It helped me realize that, sometimes, it is the simple things we overlook in the heat of the moment that actually make the difference.

In 2026, as we all carry the collective weight of the last few years, that message resonates even louder. We are all Madeline, trying to climb our own mountains, often being our own worst enemies.

The brilliance of Celeste, looking at it now in a more straightforward way, lies in how the gameplay mirrors the narrative. Madeline’s introspective conflict, with all of her doubts and insecurities, is reflected in every jump. That is why every step in this game can be so hard! And, while the game offers an "Assist Mode" for accessibility (a noble inclusion that ensures everyone can experience the story), much of the game’s magic is tied to this great difficulty.

That's because, basically, the struggle is the point. And overcoming a screen that took you 50 tries isn't just a victory in a video game, but also a reminder that you are capable of handling the "b-sides" of life.

In 2026, as we all carry the collective weight of the last few years, that message resonates even louder. We are all Madeline, trying to climb our own mountains, often being our own worst enemies.

Eight years later, Celeste remains a definitive modern classic in the indie scenario because it treats the player with radical honesty. It doesn't just represent anxiety, but it understands it and shows us that there is no invincible boss, regardless of the size of his health bar. It is okay to stumble, as long as you get back up! So, if you haven’t visited Celeste Mountain lately, 2026 is the perfect time to remember the one thing we always forget: Just breathe.