Let's Climb Celeste, for the First Time 

Make sure to comment on this video with #Blessed as per Theo's wishes No but seriously I really enjoyed this game, I had such a good time and I'm glad I got to play it blind. If you enjoyed this and want to see more like it, I'm hoping to stream Hollow Knight in future. So if you want to subscribe and stick around there's more coming through my Twitch soon :)

Despite popular belief, the "500m" "1000m" etc at the end weren't meters, they were in fact Missed strawberries

Madeline: I just beat the physical manifestation of my anxiety and depression, I almost died while trying to reach my life goal and I finally made my way on Celeste Mountain's summit, there is surely a lesson to be learned here. Don't run away from your problems, face the- RT: *I missed 2 strawberries*

madeline being called celeste is the new link being called zelda

The girl isn’t Celeste, the mountain is. The girl is Celeste’s monster

I gave myself a stupid name for my playthrough and when Theo addressed Badeline for the first time, calling her "an adorable goth Ted Cruz" I was hit with seven different kinds of psychological damage all at once.

I find it very funny imagining RT's Madeline canonically dying in 10 seconds, crushed by a falling ice block, before even setting foot into the mountain.

I never realised the meaning of 'this memorial is dedicated to those who perished on the climb' until this video.

Ok but finishing that B SIDE with only 90 deaths after just finishing the first two levels is very impressive

"People are like holy shit he's not terrible" That was my reaction to you getting the first strawberry in less than 5 minutes. Seeing people play this game for the first time really lowered my overall expectations.

One of my favorite things about this game is that the characters' reactions to Madeline's strawberry pie at the end is based on how many strawberries you collected. The more you got, the better the pie turns out (and the more elaborate the pie looks, too!) If you don't get a lot, they're just like "good effort, this... isn't bad!" It's even possible to do a run where you get *no* strawberries at all, and everyone's reaction is just "Madeline, this is just an empty pie crust."

"I don't think it can go much higher than that... The summit!" Farewell DLC: _Well about that..._

“876 deaths, that’s a lot.” I had more than that on my first run of the hotel.

"My brain fixates on these stupid things that happened forever ago. I should be over them." Pretty sure I've said almost that exact thing to a therapist once.

"I haven't spoken to you in months, why would I start now?" Well ouch.

It's really cool watching RT's chaotic energy take a bit of a backseat in order to properly enjoy the story. You can tell pretty early on how he starts to realize it's something he might want to take seriously, and it makes the ending really special imo. Don't get me wrong, I love RT's chaotic energy, but seeing him read the room and appreciate something like this is really cool

“The magical place of, Seattle” Honestly seeing the rest of the game with _Hotel Lad_ and evil Madeline I wouldn’t be surprised if Seattle is actually magical

"Alright. As your therapist, I'm gonna do everything in my power to help you and ensure that you can live a happy li-" "Can you give me me an extra jump?" "What?" "If I absorb you will I get an extra jump?" "I don't think so..." "Then we're done here." *Hair turns blue and leaps out of window*

48:28 Theo is supposed to be unconcious, but he still has an omega grip on his phone. The power of influencing is too much for us mortals to handle

Game: *has a rhythm level* RT: _”my greatest enemy”_

42:07 "Okay, lets dive into this video after these 7 midroll ads" *midroll ad plays* PLEASE tell me that was intentional.

Between Celeste and A Short Hike, seems like RT loves to play indie games about golden feathers and climbing mountains!

I like RTs reaction to “badeline” and then someone in chat probably had to explain to him “no that’s their actual name”

I’m so glad RT played an enjoyed this game. Celeste’s story had a much stronger impact on me than I could have ever imagined going into it. Just seeing the memorial at 4:46 makes me tear up after playing and understanding the game.

Looking back it's kind of sick actually how Dan beat both a B-side and the entirety of Pico 8 on his streamed first playthrough, truly #blessed

"This game is only for masochists, and is pure pain" - a person who has 700 hours and speedruns this game.

RT IS PLAYING CELESTE THIS IS NOT A DRILL

When I started watching this, I was thinking "he's kinda bad." By the time he got through the hotel, I was thinking "holy shit he's basically better than me how'd he get so good so fast." I love this game.

Re-watching this now having started theropy and going through depression has made me realize how realistic this game's narrative around Madeline's relationship with Badeline is

What if you wanted to go to Heaven, but God said: "You missed 5 strawberries, Daniel"

“This feels like an actual bossfight” - RT during a actual bossfight

I love how the average guy gets more out of the story than all the skilled players who don't relate to the main character's incessant struggle because they're so good at the game and aren't struggling at all.

1:01:30 “this won’t take long!” Says Madeline before she covered multiple times the distance that took her days to do prior without anything to keep necessities like food and water in check

A depressed woman climbs a haunted mountain risking her life to grab strawberry's while battling a purple version of herself from a mirror #Blessed

So the morale of the story that Im getting out of this is one big metaphor. Sometimes you have struggles in your life that are huge, and you have to get over them to succeed. Sometimes you're battling yourself and battling mental illness - anxiety, depression, etc. The people you meet along the way are sometimes unexpected, and they can help you in the way you least expected. Overcoming these obstacles in your life isn't about curing your illnesses, or pretending that you're perfect but rather accepting it and using it to your advantage. The more obvious message is that strawberry pie is fucking delicious.

“Ok let’s get back into the video after these 7 mid roll ads” *gets an ad*

Theo being trapped in the crystal represents how theo feels trapped as a person with all those eyes on him.

RT traded a demon for platforming skills in exchange for his rhythm

As somebody who deals with both depression _and_ panic attacks, _Celeste_ really struck me for how genuine the dialogue was. Madeline's description of what depression feels like was one of the most accurate summaries I've seen in any medium, and while I don't see the same things when I have panic attacks, the imagery in the game has a similar feeling to it.

I played this game with the dash assist on and it broke the ending cutscene lmao (the one where theyre heading down)

42:09 I actually had mid roll ads play DIRECTLY after RT said this, it was actually the perfect timing oml

Man, Celeste is such a good game. If only mountains were real 😔

Can we just acknowledge that this man beat a B-Side, without even attempting Chapter 3, in less than 100 deaths

I know this video is nearing almost a year from it's publish date, but thank you Daniel for showing this game to me. After a long time I found some time to play it and it was the most beautiful experience I got out of a game. Even knowing the game's storyline I got the feeling Celeste really brought out the "Badeline" of me, how to overcome anxiety and accept the part that I hated. I'm ready to move on with my life and chase what I feel is important to me the most. . _After I collect all those strawberries. That might take a while._

I cried a few times while watching this. They really got it down that you're not supposed to fight against your self. Even or rather especially the parts that you want gone aren't your enemies. They're there for a reason. Let them help. And listen. It's stuff that I still need to learn. But this symbolism really helps remind me I think. I'm gonna have to remember this video for the future.

You know RT is serious about a game when the video title has “let’s” in it

I love that he is actually enjoying the game, not making fun of the story writing and actually being good at it.

I think this game simulates dealing with mental illnesses extremely well. As someone with anxiety and someone who overcame depression, I think I can speak comfortably about what it's like. Honestly, the mountain allegory is perfect. It's extremely challenging, and one mistake has the potential to set you back to the beginning, but once you've reached the top it's an amazing feeling. I'm gonna talk about how it represents Madeline's "journey" though because it's obviously more suited for the game. At the start she decides she needs to overcome her anxiety/depression (represented by Badeline, more on her later), and starts climbing Celeste. First she meets the old lady who, if she has a name I completely forgot it. Anyway, I can't figure out how the old lady fits into the allegory, so if anyone knows please let me know and I'll update this comment (and credit you and your channel, as thanks). She next meets Theo. Theo is important to her recovery, and I'll talk about why later on when I get to the temple. Skipping past Badeline again because I'll talk about her at the end, we get to the final piece of the puzzle, Mr Oshiro, who I think represents society. Madeline tries to help Mr Oshiro (and by extension, everyone she meets) because she thinks it'll help her climb the mountain, or overcome her mental illnesses. But those mental illnesses, once again represented by Badeline, ultimately push him away. She takes the gondola, which I think symbolises her talking to someone for help, but that ends up sending her into a panic attack when it seems to stop going anywhere (notice how Badeline shows up, and how later Madeline mentions she thinks Badeline is why the gondola stops) So, Theo teaches her a breathing trick to help her keep going. Badeline goes away, and she gets to the temple. Now, let's talk about Theo. I already said how Theo helped Madeline progress, and it certainly rings true here. Theo says that the eyes and the crystal represent his mental illnesses, namely his fears of not being enough for society, and feeling trapped as a result. So, Madeline sets aside time to help Theo with his problems, not realising that doing so is helping herself. But then, she tries to get rid of her anxieties, thinking that's all she has to do, but when it fails it sends her right back to the bottom. The old lady tells her that she should try to understand her anxieties, not ignore them. And so, she speaks to Badeline, internalising her mental illnesses and learning to cope with them, rather than push through them (hence why up until this point, Badeline was an antagonist, but now she works with Madeline) Madeline realises that Badeline is a part of her, and she shouldn't try to just get rid of her, but instead learn to work with her, which ends up being what she needed to finally reach the peak of Celeste, and overcome her mental health. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking "I just need to get rid of this, and everything will be fine" but you can't get rid of it, at least not without learning how to cope properly. Helping others, like Mr Oshiro and Theo, is what allows Madeline to help herself in the end. Celeste is one of my favourite games, and despite that I hope it doesn't get a sequel, or if it does I hope it stars someone new with new mechanics and symbolism, because putting Madeline through this again would undermine the core message of the game. Overcoming mental illnesses, or any illnesses for that matter, is never going to be easy. But you can do it, it takes a lot of work, and you'll trip up here and there, but in the end, it'll be worth it. Celeste came out around the time I finally overcame my depression, and a lot of the game's messages line up with my personal journey. Celeste (the mountain, not the game) is "designed" to help people. Those climbing it have their darkest fears made real. It forces those climbing it to battle their illnesses in a more literal sense. Most people don't climb the mountain to the top. They give up, they stop climbing. A few have even started living there, like Mr Oshiro. And this is accurate to the sad reality that most people don't overcome their inner demons. They give up, or take root in them. They let their own mental illnesses take over. But with a little outside help, they can climb their mountain, and reach the top.

i never understood the hype around celeste until i saw a playthrough like holy shit forget striking a chord this struck 826

RT: dies in first ten seconds Also RT: destroys the main plot of the game in one sitting

Apparently 60% of the games about climbing mountains are really inspiring(and frustrating)

The fact that it all somehow comes back to rhythm is just hilarious to me

"How do you cope?" "I drink, mostly. And get mad at people on the internet." Celeste: Providing proper trans representation ever since it came out.

This game’s composer, Lena Raine, also compose some songs for Minecraft including Pigstep

Little known fact, in the last part of the temple where you have Theo, if you reverse the music, you can hear Madeline saying some pretty depressing things about herself

"Gotta climb back down. We didn't bring any food though" Don't worry, you strategically let strawberries on the way down

33:50 - That wasn't a glitch in SMB3, it was an intended mechanic! There's even a secret room past the finish of the level that leads to one of the game's warp whistles, which is only accessible by going in to the background like that.

Self-Doubting, Depressed Woman With Unhealthy Obsession With Strawberries Climbs Mountain

I love that Celeste is a game that uses it's difficulty as a way to further it's message. It's not gloating down your face with it's brutal difficulty. It's quiet, yet overwhelming. It tells you that what might seem impossible now, can be done. You just need a bit of time, effort, and practice, and you can overcome it. And if you can't do it, it's okay Assist Mode is there for a reason. Assist Mode servers as a reminder in this game that if it all gets too difficult for you, it's okay to ask for help. You aren't weaker for doing so. It's all so beautiful, and we need more games like this.

PLEASE, go further in this game! It's a wonderful experience, do chapter 8, try the b-sides, collect crystal hearts (chapter 9 but we don't have to talk about that one), you're so good at this game, and there's so much more to do.

I hear the screams of the missed strawberries in my nightmare. The endless cacophony never stops. Please, Daniel. Get the strawberries.

Fun fact: the computer with the game called celeste in the hotel is actually the pico 8 game that celeste originally was

We can laugh about him dying in the tutorial, but let's be real. Daniel was a lot better than most of us on our first playthrough.

826 is honestly a very impressive death number for the first playthrough, hope to see you do the b/c sides and maybe farewell!

I love watching people play this game for the first time. Not even to laugh at them just to see how they react during blind playthroughs.

RT: I want at least a few Strawberries Also RT: STRAWBERRY!!! * Collects over 100 *

Plot twist: They’re not feathers, they’re bananas and she just has a really weird obsession with fruit.

i remember watching my discord friend play this one day. she was so happy when she finally reached the summit. that friend's name was madeline. that wasn't always her name. she chose it when she decided that she didn't wanna be a boy anymore. i don't talk to her anymore, but i'm still proud of her.

this game seriously needs more attention, one of my favorites ever. the art style, colors, character designs and dialogue are all so charming and cute i love it, and the atmosphere is so cozy. i played this game at a perfect point in my life where i was feeling so depressed and having panic attacks every single day, i felt so trapped, and this game really pulled my heart. this is a perfect game for those cold fall and winter nights with a blanket and some tea or coffee

RT any day: funny game guy RT while playing Celeste: Every one be quite I am trying to focus

The fact that this game (according to lena raine) made someone not want to kill themselves is...just......wow

I know this video's like a week old, and the stream probably even more than that, but I just wanted to say- as much as I know you as the funny Irish guy who does horrible atrocities in games, I do really love these long-form chill videos :) they're cozy enough for a bad day, but still fun enough to watch on a good day

This is one of my comfort videos. It makes me think, in a good way and reminds me I’m not alone in the worst times. Reminds me that even in the worst of times I’m still going to be ok.

My favourite thing about the scene at the end is it changes depending on how many strawberries you get. The pie is nicer if you have more and, if you're me, with fewer strawberries it looks crap.

When RT accidentally collects the crystal hearts that most have to look up a guide to get

RT's influencer voice is #blessed

RT: "826 deaths, that's a lot" Me: *laughs in over 2000*

i like how you've just got some random ass guy from Seattle climbing up the mountain with you

* conspicuously writes down the feather breathing technique *

I know this is a late post (holy cow its been 3 years!). But you motivated me to buy this game. I was in a rough place at the time, and going through a very similar journey to Madeline. After talking to my family, and some of my friends, I eventually found the help I needed. I still play Celeste today, I have moved on to Advanced modded content, but it still brings me a smile to this day. Thank you for your videos, I plan to keep watching them for a very long time! (Even coming back to some like this one :p)

“im probably not going to get every strawberry” thats what they all say

This game means so much to me on insanely personal levels and it's also a game I find incredibly fun because it's generally enjoyable. but it's also a game full of p a i n. and Seeing RT genuinely ace this game so incredibly well, left me shocked, for days. Dude did such an insanely good job and is genuinely skilled and basically anyone who has played Celeste can see that and is equally impressed as me :D

RT on Old site B side "89 deaths!?!?" Me, who did that B side after finishing summit and learning some of the tech: 438 deaths I--

RT, this video came to me in my recommendations in a moment of weakness, was having a bad episode of anxiety but this video and its messages grounded me, and to be honest, hearing your calm voice explaining or reading dialogue just makes eveything better, your videos in general have helped me when i was in very tight spots, but this one felt special, so thank you for all the good fun.

"820 deaths" Me after 2 B sides, chapter 8 and 75 strawberries: 4500 baby!!

This actually made me cry, no joke. Its such good symbolism for what many people have to learn when healing from trauma or dealing with mental illness. I had learned the exact lesson a while ago; that "bad side" of you is just wayward guardians that don't realize they're hurting more than helping. They may have helped at one point, but they aren't sustainable, so you have to learn, not to push them away, but to adapt them for who you want to be. Its such a sweet game. I wish this wasn't the first time I'm seeing it.

Original Title: Let’s Climb Celeste New Title: Let’s Climb Celeste, For The First Time

6/10 the owner of the mountain resort tried to murder me after my reflection in the mirror insulted him

I really like the RT "Oh..." at 50:57 he just goes "Oh, so we really going to poke the bear?"

Words cannot fathom how RT just casually did some speed run strats what the fu-

Now imagine the chads who are actually trying to climb the mountain *WITHOUT DASHES MADELINE* Theo is a hero

Yes. This guy played the game two years after release. 32:27 The unwritten rule of game design: When you introduce a mechanic, keep using it and combining it with previous mechanics for about 5 to 20 levels. 40:27 That’s how the teal ones work too, but the red ones go until they hit a wall instead of going a short distance.

"Let's dive into the video after these 7 midroll ads!" Imagi- *Gets 2 ads immediately after* It frustrates me that I'm not lying.

Dan: This is a LONG way for one strawberry _laughs in moonberry_

Ah yes, that’s a saying we use here in Canada! 🇨🇦 “Be proud of your death count, the more you die the more you’re learning.” ☠️

Thanks for finishing this game and showing it. I dreaded the difficulty and am really happy this is very much time saving and enjoyable to just watch you play. Well done to the developers, they really did a great job in it.

SO happy to see people playing this game for the first time ^.^ The feather trick has helped my panic attacks a lot. Haven't had one in a long time now, and this game helped with that. Love you all!

"This is it, you can't go higher than the top" Yeah...

me who just turned off animal crossing: *lets climb w h o*

Man, I cherish this game. I'm seriously glad you enjoyed it as well, and I loved watching your video on it