Is Celeste a LGBTQ Game?

Celeste is indeed an LGBTQ game, as it features a transgender protagonist, Madeline, and was created by a closeted trans person who was struggling with their gender identity during the game’s development. The game’s narrative explores themes of mental health, self-discovery, and identity, making it a significant and relatable title for the LGBTQ community.

Introduction to Celeste

Game Overview

Celeste is a critically acclaimed platform game created by Extremely OK Games, released on January 25, 2018, for various platforms. The game follows the story of Madeline, a 21-year-old trans Canadian woman, as she attempts to climb Mount Celeste, confronting her inner demons and struggles with anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

FAQs about Celeste and LGBTQ Themes

General Questions

1. What is the symbolism of the game Celeste?: Celeste is a game about remembering to take care of oneself, and recognizing that sometimes self-improvement is necessary to avoid hurting others.
2. What is Celeste’s gender?: Madeline, the protagonist of Celeste, is an MTF trans character, and her transness is a part of the game’s story.
3. When did Celeste come out?: Celeste was released on January 25, 2018, and the game’s LGBTQ themes were not explicitly stated until later.

LGBTQ-Specific Questions

4. Is Celeste a girl game?: While Madeline is a trans woman, the game was initially developed with the idea of her being cis-female in mind.
5. Is Madeline from Celeste LGBT?: Yes, Madeline is a trans woman, and her gender identity was confirmed by the game’s creator, Matt Thorson, in 2020.
6. Why is Celeste LGBT?: Celeste is an LGBT game because it was written and designed by a closeted trans person, scored by a trans woman, and features a trans protagonist.

Game-Related Questions

7. Is Celeste appropriate for kids?: While Celeste deals with mature themes like mental health and identity, it is generally considered suitable for children, as it handles these topics in a thoughtful and realistic way.
8. Is Celeste a rage game?: Celeste is often described as a “rage 2D platformer“, but it is more focused on storytelling and character development than inducing frustration or anger.
9. Why is Celeste so highly rated?: Celeste has received widespread critical acclaim for its beautiful graphics, great soundtrack, and challenging yet rewarding gameplay.

Character-Related Questions

10. What does Madeline suffer from in Celeste?: Madeline struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, which are intimately portrayed throughout the game.
11. How old is Madeline in Celeste?: Madeline is a 21-year-old trans Canadian woman.
12. Who is the villain in Celeste?: The main antagonist of Celeste is Badeline, also known as Part of You or Part of Me, who represents Madeline’s negative emotions.

Development and Legacy

13. Will there be a Celeste 2?: While there are no official plans for a Celeste 2, the game’s creator has not ruled out the possibility of a sequel or spiritual successor.
14. What does the game Celeste mean to the LGBTQ community?: Celeste has become an important and relatable title for the LGBTQ community, offering a thoughtful and realistic portrayal of trans struggles and mental health.
15. Why do people love Celeste?: Celeste has gained a massive fanbase due to its realistic depiction of mental health issues, identity struggles, and self-discovery, making it a deeply personal and relatable experience for many players.