Analysis of Celeste

People often wonder, "Why do you keep coming back to this game?". For me, that game is Celeste. Created by Maddy Makes Games and released in 2018, Celeste is a platformer that stands out from other rage games. In this analysis, I'll look at the psychological ideas behind the game and why players return to it.

Its narrative and mechanics are carefully crafted to encourage identification with Madeline, prompting us to reflect on our own struggles. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators are interwoven to keep us engaged, while the gradual increase in difficulty creates a sense of flow and mastery that is both satisfying and meaningful.

This is also the game I drew from for 4-Koma (Similar yet Different).