Character Chronicle: Madeline

Thanks to Hamada and NantenJex for helping with edits.

When I purchased Celeste on sale over two years ago, I only knew a few things about it. Considering how highly people spoke of it, I figured I’d enjoy it. But I didn’t foresee Celeste retroactively becoming my favorite release of 2018, nor its protagonist one of my favorites in this medium. Celeste’s third anniversary has come and gone, and I’ve been reminiscing about the platformer. So let’s revisit Celeste Mountain and honor the woman who triumphantly overcame it.

Madeline, seen in 2018’s Celeste (Image: Matt Makes Games)

In August 2015, Maddy Thorson (born Matt Thorson) partnered with fellow Matt Makes Games member Noel Berry on a project for a local game jam. Within the PICO-8’s limitations, they strived to create a minimalistic yet deep platformer. Agreeing that premise loaned itself well to a mountain climbing motif, a cold, unforgiving sierra became the game’s setting. After four days, Thorson and Berry completed their humble title, Celeste. Satisfied with it, the pair began a second version the following January. Now with the entire team onboard, the goal was to flesh out every element the original Celeste, retroactively called Celeste Classic, established.

Madeline’s History

Celeste stars a depressed Canadian woman named Madeline (players may rename her at the onset of the game, however). She’s travelled to the titular mountain to climb it, feeling it’s something she simply needs to accomplish. Shortly after starting, she nearly falls to her death, leaving her shaken and panting. However, the scene then transitions into words of encouragement: “You can do this.” So she climbs, scaling the inselberg and its abandoned city, hotel, and ruins. Along the way, she meets a few eccentric souls: Granny, an elderly woman who lives at the base of the mountain; Theo, another visiting sightseer; Mr. Oshiro, the unearthly manager of the dilapidated hotel; and a blue bird that seemingly watches over her. She’s also haunted by a “part of her,” a ghastly manifestation of her inner demons brought forth through Celeste’s supernatural powers. Although this doppelgänger, who Celeste internally dubs “Badeline,” initially impedes Madeline, the two ultimately reconcile and work together to reach the summit. Afterwards, Madeline returns to Granny’s cottage, where everyone celebrates her victory. Celeste’s post-game eighth chapter is set one year later, showing Madeline return to the rugged landmass to explore its innermost caverns.

Celeste Madeline dash blue bird prologue

A complete joy to play as, Madeline’s basic abilities are running, jumping, climbing, and dashing. She gains a second dash once she merges with Badeline. (Image: Matt Makes Games)

A close friendship between Madeline and Theo was forged during Celeste and continued off-screen, something the latter’s “InstaPix” account showcases. She also took up a new hobby in archery, leading to her and Badeline appearing in the Switch release of TowerFall Ascension (an earlier title by Matt Makes Games). Bringing her saga to a close, a September 2019 update to Celeste added a ninth chapter, “Farewell.” Here, an isolated Madeline copes with the death of Granny (whose real name is revealed to be Celia) by pursuing the bird across a nightmarish dreamscape, believing it’s a lingering part of her. Badeline disapproves and abandons Madeline, only reuniting with her once the redhead realizes she’s handling her loss in an unhealthy manner. Upon awakening, Madeline reconnects with Theo, sharing a laugh over an old photo.

So, what’re my thoughts on Madeline?

We, regrettably, are only given a few glimpses into Madeline’s pre-Celeste life; even the exact source of her depression isn’t alluded to. Nevertheless, Celeste quickly and effectively conveys how troubled its protagonist is. She’s awkward around her more sociable associates, and light teasing from them irritates her. When Madeline stumbles into the hotel, she’s unable to assert herself against its overbearing manager and futilely tries assisting him. Celeste’s fifth chapter is set in a gruesome temple, an externalization of both Madeline’s and Theo’s deepest fears. She later confides in him that she suffers from panic attacks and copes with them by drinking and arguing with people online. Lena Raine’s score and how it’s utilized – sometimes very subtly so – helps ease the audience into Madeline’s mental state, something Game Score Fanfare discussed in an excellent video essay.

Celeste Madeline Theo gondola panic attack chapter 4

While riding a tatty gondola, Madeline suffers through a panic attack, which the audio and visuals brilliantly convey. Realizing what’s happening, Theo helps her regain her composure. (Image: Matt Makes Games)

Of course, nothing represents Madeline’s internal struggles more than Badeline. She’s extraordinarily blunt and antagonistic to others, an exaggeration of Madeline’s snippiness. She’s especially cruel to Madeline, an anthropomorphization of her paralyzing self-doubt. She “informs” Madeline that climbing Celeste is a feat well beyond her, suggesting they give up and go home together. Madeline’s response? Unable to face her preternatural counterpart, she runs away. During cutscenes, Badeline sometimes even escapes her portrait frame, a unique trait furthering her domineering presence. Countless games feature dark doppelgängers, yet it’s rare to see one so relatable. After all, haven’t there been times when a little voice inside your head incessantly tells you you’re not good enough?

An enraged Badeline eventually causes the duo to plummet down to Celeste’s submerged caverns, a literal and metaphorical rock bottom. But this, plus a pep talk from Granny, is exactly what Madeline needed. After being shackled by her “pragmatic” side for so long, she finally confronts her inner demons. Generally, Celeste avoids populating its stages with enemies, and the heroine’s clone is the second of just two bosses. And unlike the mutated Mr. Oshiro (who’s only momentarily incapacitated if jumped upon; you don’t defeat him, you survive him), retaliating against Badeline is necessary. In fact, their fight is a reversal of their first encounter; a boast from Madeline, claiming they’ll climb the mountain together, initiates it, and it’s Badeline who flees. Clichéd narratives would close Madeline’s arc here, magically exorcising Badeline. Celeste is braver, avoiding that temptation in favor of a more realistic message championing self-care. So Madeline embraces her “dark” half, accepts her own insecurities, and grows into a stronger, more complete person.

Celeste Madeline, Badeline, Granny, Theo Chapter 6alt complete

After merging, Madeline leaves her backpack with Theo, symbolizing her newfound liberation. It’s also an homage to her Classic sprite. (Image: Matt Makes Games)

Celeste’s eighth and ninth chapters even follow up on that. During the former, Badeline never splits off from Madeline (brief purple orb cameos notwithstanding), suggesting she’s grown significantly more self-assured. In another reversal, the ninth chapter shows Badeline’s grown into a supportive voice of reason, reigning in her namesake’s irrationality.

“Farewell” was a fine note for Celeste to close on, teaching Madeline a new lesson without retroactively cheapening or undoing her previous arc. It also gives a glimpse into Madeline’s bedroom, showing she owns a prescription bottle, a photo of herself as a short-haired kid, and rainbow and transgender pride flags. These confirm she’s supportive of LGBTQ rights, and strongly imply Madeline herself is transgender. Thorson, one year later, finally confirmed that, yes, Madeline is transgender. It was a welcome revelation, adding another layer to Madeline’s journey (her otherworldly twin can be seen as a manifestation of body dysphoria) while giving the LGBTQ community representation in one of 2018’s most acclaimed releases. As Thorson’s personal, sweet blog post explains, Celeste was just as much their personal journey as it was its heroine’s.

You can tell how many dashes Madeline can perform based on her hair color. She can dash twice if it’s pink, once if it’s red, and is unable to dash if it’s cyan. (Image: Matt Makes Games)

According to Thorson, there are currently no plans to create a sequel to Celeste (well, specifically the 2018 version; Thorson and company celebrated their hit’s third anniversary by releasing Classic 2). I’d certainly welcome a continuation, but I’m fine without one. Celeste is a complete experience, one I will happily continue to revisit. Speaking to its quality, it’s become a favorite among speed runners and casual gamers alike, and has even inspired imitators. And though Madeline’s depression likely won’t completely fade away, she’ll be fine. Through sheer strength and determination, Madeline reached Celeste’s summit, and she’ll continue climbing upwards, attaining greater heights.

Congratulations, Madeline! Let’s just enjoy this for a bit.

Did you impress Madeline’s friends? I didn’t bother collecting too many strawberries, regrettably… (Image: Matt Makes Games)

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Cart Boy

Cart Boy wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. When the stars align properly, he also writes articles, edits his peers' work, and helps run Source Gaming's social media.

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