What Do Strawberries Do in Celeste? The Ultimate Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The delicious-looking strawberries in Celeste serve a very specific purpose: they are collectible items that unlock B-Side and C-Side stages. By collecting a certain number of strawberries in each A-Side level, you unlock access to the corresponding B-Side tape. Completing all B-Sides unlocks the C-Sides. While they don’t directly impact Madeline’s gameplay mechanics (like extra health or abilities), their collection is crucial for accessing the game’s more challenging and rewarding content, adding significant depth and replayability to the experience.
The Sweet Rewards of Strawberry Gathering
While strawberries don’t inherently alter Madeline’s jumping, dashing, or climbing capabilities, their role in unlocking content elevates them beyond simple collectibles. They represent a significant part of the Celeste experience and are essential for players seeking to fully conquer the mountain.
Unlocking B-Sides: A Gateway to Greater Challenges
The primary function of strawberries is to unlock the B-Side tapes. Each A-Side level has a corresponding B-Side tape, which can be accessed by collecting a specific number of strawberries within that level. The exact number of strawberries required varies from level to level, often scaling with the chapter’s difficulty. These B-Sides present significantly more challenging versions of the A-Side levels, featuring remixed layouts, increased difficulty, and often incorporating new mechanics or variations on existing ones.
C-Sides: The Pinnacle of Precision Platforming
After completing all of the B-Sides, the player unlocks the C-Sides. These stages are incredibly short but exceptionally demanding, testing the player’s mastery of Celeste‘s movement mechanics to their absolute limit. C-Sides are often regarded as the most difficult content in the game, designed for seasoned players who have thoroughly honed their skills. Successfully completing C-Sides is a true testament to a player’s proficiency in Celeste.
Cosmetic and Completionist Value
Beyond unlocking new levels, strawberries also contribute to the overall completion rate of Celeste. For completionists, collecting every strawberry in the game is a significant undertaking, requiring dedication, patience, and a deep understanding of the game’s level design and mechanics. While they don’t unlock any visual skins or modifications directly, they grant a sense of accomplishment.
Navigating the Challenges of Strawberry Collection
Collecting strawberries in Celeste is rarely a straightforward task. The game often places them in precarious positions, demanding precise platforming, clever use of Madeline’s abilities, and a willingness to experiment with different approaches.
Hidden Strawberries: Uncovering the Secrets
Many strawberries are cleverly hidden within the levels, requiring players to explore off the beaten path, solve environmental puzzles, or execute complex platforming sequences to uncover them. These hidden strawberries often provide a satisfying sense of discovery and reward players for their curiosity and attention to detail.
Winged Strawberries: A Test of Timing and Skill
Some strawberries are winged, meaning they float around the screen and must be collected within a limited timeframe. Winged strawberries often require quick reflexes, precise timing, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions. These strawberries add an extra layer of challenge to the collection process and can be particularly frustrating (and rewarding) to obtain.
Corrupted Strawberries: Embrace the Challenge
Certain strawberries are corrupted, meaning they have a darker appearance and often trigger a series of challenging obstacles upon collection. These strawberries test the player’s ability to react quickly under pressure and navigate complex environments while dealing with added challenges. They are a true test of skill and determination.
FAQs: All Your Strawberry Questions Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions about strawberries in Celeste:
1. How many strawberries are in each A-Side level?
The number of strawberries varies in each A-Side level, but it’s usually between 15 and 25.
2. Do I need to collect every strawberry in a level to unlock its B-Side?
No, you don’t need every strawberry. Each B-Side requires a specific number of strawberries, which can vary depending on the chapter. The B-side tape appears at the start of the level when you have the minimum required number of strawberries.
3. Can I see how many strawberries I’ve collected in a level?
Yes, the game displays the number of strawberries collected at the beginning of each level, after a save point, and on the level select screen.
4. What happens if I die after collecting a strawberry?
If you die after collecting a strawberry, the strawberry remains collected. Celeste saves your progress frequently, so you don’t have to worry about re-collecting strawberries after dying.
5. Are there any strawberries in the B-Sides or C-Sides?
No, there are no strawberries in the B-Sides or C-Sides. Their sole purpose is to unlock these more challenging stages.
6. Do strawberries unlock anything else besides B-Sides and C-Sides?
No, strawberries solely unlock the B-Sides and C-Sides.
7. Are some strawberries easier to collect than others?
Yes, the difficulty of collecting strawberries varies greatly. Some are easily accessible, while others require complex platforming maneuvers.
8. What are the golden strawberries?
Golden Strawberries are unlocked after completing Chapter 9, Farewell. These strawberries appear at the start of a level, and the player must complete the entire A-Side without dying to collect them. B-Side and C-Side Golden Strawberries can be collected in a similar manner, but require the player to complete the respective side without dashing in the case of the B-Sides and without using any assists in the case of the C-Sides. If the player dies at any point during the attempt, they lose the strawberry.
9. Do Assist Mode settings affect strawberry collection?
No, using Assist Mode does not prevent you from collecting strawberries or unlocking B-Sides and C-Sides.
10. Where can I find guides for collecting strawberries?
Many online resources, including YouTube videos and text guides, provide detailed instructions on locating and collecting all the strawberries in each level.
11. What is the significance of the “grubby” strawberries?
There are no “grubby” strawberries in Celeste. All strawberries appear clean and delicious, with the exception of the corrupted strawberries.
12. Do I need to collect all the strawberries on a single playthrough?
No, you can collect strawberries across multiple playthroughs. The game keeps track of your total strawberry count per level.
13. Are there any missable strawberries?
No, there are no missable strawberries. You can always return to previous levels to collect any strawberries you might have missed.
14. Does collecting strawberries affect the ending of the game?
No, collecting or not collecting the strawberries does not affect the main ending of the game. However, completing the B-Sides and C-Sides provides additional challenges and a sense of accomplishment.
15. Are the strawberries worth collecting?
Yes! For players seeking a greater challenge and a deeper Celeste experience, collecting the strawberries is absolutely worth it. They unlock significant amounts of additional content and provide a rewarding sense of accomplishment.