Celeste
News, coverage and analysis tracking Celeste across the outlets.- Metal Gear Solid Composer's Studio Ghibli Jazz Album AnnouncedScarlet Moon Records announced Prescription for Sleep: Ghibli, a new jazz arrangement album featuring music from Studio Ghibli films. The album, performed by Norihiko Hibino and AYAKI as GENTLE LOVE, will be released on July 20, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Spirited Away. Three tracks are currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp.
Weekend PC Download Deals for July 3: Steam Summer Sale continuesThe Steam Summer Sale and other PC gaming storefronts are offering numerous deals on a wide variety of titles. This includes discounts on major releases, indie games, and bundles across platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Bundle. Several retailers are participating, with prices and availability varying.
Laura Shigihara: The Composer Who Breaks HeartsComposer Laura Shigihara is celebrated for her emotionally resonant work in games like Rakuen and Deltarune, often evoking deep feelings of sadness and catharsis in players. The article highlights her journey from classical piano training and playing World of Warcraft to becoming a respected game composer and developer, emphasizing the importance of supporting indie creators in the industry.
The BAFTA Young Game Developer Awards feature games tackling anxiety and struggles in daily livesThe BAFTA Young Game Developers Competition has revealed its 2026 finalists, showcasing games that explore themes of anxiety, depression, and daily struggles. Among the highlighted projects are 'In Your Head,' a mental health-themed bullet hell; 'Maya,' a narrative game about sweatshop labor; 'Kompis and the Wells of Fontis,' a platformer about confronting inner demons; and 'The Last Thing the World Forgot,' which delves into memory and societal remembrance.
Weekend Console Download Deals for June 12: PlayStation Mid-Year DealsPlayStation is offering mid-year deals on titles like ARC Raiders and Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection, with additional free games for PlayStation Plus members. Xbox features Capcom publisher sales, including Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition, while the Nintendo eShop also has Capcom discounts. Various other publishers like Atari and RGG Studio also have sales across platforms.
Acclaimed Metroidvania Constance Announced For Nintendo Switch 2The hand-drawn metroidvania game Constance is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 with performance and resolution improvements, including a free upgrade for existing owners. Players control a paintbrush-wielding artist exploring inner-world biomes, utilizing unique brush techniques and unlocking new abilities to overcome challenges and uncover the protagonist's past.
Constance getting a Nintendo Switch 2 EditionByteRockers Games, Parco Games, and Blue Backpack have announced a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Constance, a Metroidvania praised for its fluid movement and intricate world design. This new version will feature significant upgrades, including performance modes up to 120 FPS and 1440p resolution. Owners of the original Nintendo Switch version will receive a free upgrade.
How Small Game Studios Are Bootstrapping in 2026The article analyzes how small game studios can bootstrap their development in 2026 without external funding, highlighting platforms like Itch.io for concept validation, Steam Early Access for revenue generation, Kickstarter for community-funded projects, and Poki for publishing partnership and player data. It emphasizes that these methods are not mutually exclusive and depend on a studio's immediate needs.
Mel the Pyramid Cat Review | TheXboxHubMel the Pyramid Cat is a precision platformer that falls short of genre expectations due to its simplistic gameplay mechanics and uninspired stage design. While the game features a distinct desert aesthetic and some challenging enemy combinations, its core traversal abilities and forty stages lack the depth and intentionality found in similar titles. Despite being an improvement over its predecessor, this entry leaves the series stagnating.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 48This article highlights lesser-known games, including 'Evolution of Ages: Settlements,' a city builder with RPG elements, and 'Celeste Classic,' the free PICO-8 precursor to the acclaimed platformer 'Celeste.' It also discusses 'Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Quest' for the Sega Genesis, comparing its design to modern narrative-driven games.
The new Bubsy is better than I expected, but its hackneyed '90s nostalgia is exhaustingThe new Bubsy 4D game from Fabraz and Atari offers surprisingly robust 3D platforming mechanics, allowing for complex aerial maneuvers. However, the game is heavily weighed down by its exhausting and cringeworthy '90s nostalgia, particularly its hackneyed humor and nonsensical level design, making it difficult to recommend despite its gameplay potential.
Cairn update lets you create custom shirts while waiting for upcoming DLCCairn has released an update allowing players to create custom shirts featuring their in-game climbing routes and statistics. This feature serves as a distraction while players await the upcoming free DLC, "On The Trail," which will expand the game to new seaside environments in Winter 2026. The custom shirts are an expensive merchandise option for dedicated fans.- 20 Must-Play Games on Steam Deck in 2026 (Verified and Optimized) | TAGThis guide highlights 20 games that perform exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, focusing on session-friendliness and battery life. It categorizes games into quick sessions, hour-long sessions, and deep dives, while also noting AAA titles that are playable with adjustments. The article also details Valve's 'Steam Deck Verified' system and lists games that did not make the cut due to performance issues.
- Create Your Own Indie Showcase With These Limited-Time Bundle DealsHumble Bundle and Fanatical are offering limited-time indie game showcase bundles. The Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase bundle includes 8 games for $10, featuring titles like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Celeste, with a portion of proceeds going to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Fanatical's Build Your Own Indie Showcase Bundle allows users to select from 20 PC games with a variable pricing model, offering discounts for purchasing more titles.
- Create Your Own Indie Showcase With These Limited-Time Bundle DealsFanatical and Humble Bundle are offering limited-time indie game showcase bundles. The Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase bundle includes 8 games for $10, featuring titles like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Celeste. Fanatical's Build Your Own Indie Showcase Bundle allows users to select from 20 games with a variable pricing model, offering discounts for purchasing more titles. All games are provided as digital Steam keys.
Create Your Own Indie Showcase With These Limited-Time Bundle DealsHumble Bundle and Fanatical are offering limited-time deals on indie game bundles. The Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase bundle includes 8 games for $10, featuring titles like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Citizen Sleeper. Fanatical's Build Your Own Indie Showcase Bundle allows users to select from 20 games with a variable pricing model, offering discounts for purchasing more titles.
Get some quality classics in the Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase BundleThe Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase Bundle is now available, featuring a collection of highly-rated indie games. The bundle includes titles such as Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Celeste, and Slime Rancher, many of which are Steam Deck verified or playable. This bundle is highlighted as one of Humble Bundle's best offerings in recent times.
Haneda Girl Is On Xbox And PlayStation – Hotline Miami Meets CelesteHaneda Girl has launched on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, following its PC release. Developed by Studio Koba and published by Aeternum Game Studios, the 2D action platformer features a blend of fast-paced combat and precision platforming, with players able to switch between two distinct playstyles. The game is also noted for its replayability and influences from titles like Celeste and Hotline Miami. A Nintendo Switch version is planned but has been delayed.
Review: TetherGeist (Switch) - Satisfying Platforming That Owes A Debt To CelesteTetherGeist is a highly satisfying precision platformer for the Nintendo Switch that draws inspiration from Celeste but carves its own path with innovative tether mechanics. While the main narrative is somewhat flat and minor visual bugs are present, the game excels with its smart level design, rewarding collectibles, and engaging gameplay that tests both reflexes and intellect. The game offers around 10 hours of content, with ample opportunity for completionists to hunt down hidden items.- Acclaimed Artistic Metroidvania Constance Out Now On Switch, PlayStation & XboxThe acclaimed 2D hand-drawn metroidvania game Constance is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. Developed by Blue Backpack and co-published by ByteRockers’ Games and PARCO GAMES, the title features flow-state gameplay where players control a paintbrush-wielding artist. Constance has received praise for its genre contributions and comparisons to titles like Hollow Knight and Celeste.