Expedition Log #4 | Celeste - A Turning Point
Blind Playthrough
November 16th, 2025 - Welcome back! The climb up Celeste Mountain is reaching a big turning point, both in the journey and the story. After the tough winds of Golden Ridge, it’s time to head into the Mirror Temple and face the truths in the Reflections chapter. These chapters bring everything together and reveal what Celeste is really about.
Starting off in the Mirror Temple, I was intrigued, if not apprehensive, to explore this new location, given what had happened earlier with her. However, Theo, not missing a beat, heads inside, determined to get content for his followers. So, I head inside after him. But, before too long, I find his phone in front of a mirror. Maybe he just dropped it? Whatever the case, I grab the device and continue onward.
The temple is enormous, with brickwork crumbling from years of neglect. Vines twist through the many corridors. The music is strangely peaceful, which does not make me feel any better (maybe it's the eye statues all over the place?). But we get on with the task at hand. The place is filled with red spikes, platforms that launch you, more of the bubbles, and some more key collecting.
Things start to get serious when we find Theo trapped in a mirror. And in trying to get him out, I too become trapped in a horrific nightmare world. This is where we meet up with the Part of Me again.
And something said during this exchange has got me thinking. She, in the physical sense, exists because of the mountain. This distorted world is almost a representation of Madeline’s mind. The Part of Me is a physical manifestation of her fear, her doubt, her anxiety. Parts of us that, on the surface, may seem bad or negative, but are not inherently so. Fear, doubt, and anxiety are responses to the unknown. To what lies in the darkness of our lives. These emotions are normal and can help us, as humans, avoid making reckless decisions. But if you allow them to run rampant, they can consume you. They become dangerous and can almost create a prison inside your own mind. That is what I believe this represents. The tentacles leeching off the walls, the disturbing creatures that hunt us, and later Theo, across this nightmare world as we seek to escape it. This world we travel through and fight in is one of her own making, forged by her fear and doubt. One that we must escape if we are to conquer the mountain and see the peak. And that is just what we do.
The chapter ends with a wholesome talk with Theo and a heart-to-heart with this Part of Me. A talk that quickly goes off the rails once Madeline, misunderstanding the situation, tries to cast her gothic doppleganger aside. A situation that leaves Madeline greatly set back, both mentally and physically.
This is where the next chapter begins. Reflections is all about taking a moment to pause and think after the chaos of the Mirror Temple. The level starts with gentle music and calm visuals, like lush, dreamlike landscapes and shimmering water that make you feel peaceful. For the first time in a while, there’s space to breathe and process everything that’s happened. It feels more thoughtful than before.
But the calm doesn’t last. As the level goes on, things get more intense, leading up to a big confrontation with the Part of Me. The boss fight is exciting and meaningful, with us dodging energy blasts, lasers, falling platforms, and more as we try to reach her. Each challenge feels like a real version of Madeline’s inner struggles—her doubts, fears, and insecurities. The fight is about perseverance and self-acceptance, not just platforming skill.
Meeting her is emotional. She’s scared, which makes sense after Madeline tried to get rid of her. But Madeline has changed. This is where we see how much she’s grown during the game. Instead of reacting with fear or anger, she chooses to be open and kind. Madeline accepts this part of herself. Her doubt, anxiety, and depression are all part of who she is. Once she accepts this, she feels whole and can keep moving forward to conquer the mountain.
