scariest thing about this chapter was accidentally choosing the path that progresses through the story while you're not yet done finding all of the secrets

Also, mirror temple has the best thing in the game. *Theo just saying "I'm helping"*

Fun fact: The eyes that are everywhere in the 2nd half of the level, they're not looking at Madeline, but rather Theo! It represents his social media life, with everyone looking at him, judging him. *The monsters* represents Madeline's depression.

Note: reversing the mirror temples music and slightly altering the pitch will let you hear madeline talking about her depression.

The campfire scene after the temple is a masterpiece.

First thing I thought of when lighting the blue candles were: "Is there gonna be an achievement if I light them all?"

As a side note, one of my favorite ways in which Celeste really highlights emotions is its use of text effects and portraits---sometimes when dark Madeline is being especially nasty, she'll pop out of her frame as if trying to leave the player's screen.

Another detail: in the Mirror Temple part of the Summit level, there are no red floating monsters or dark rooms at all.

B-side theo: “Is this canon?”

Here's the funny thing though: I had a different experience. Not completely, the mirror temple is still very uncomfortable, but the things you described about me feeling things unconsciously actually had a different effect on me. I associated the blue candles with danger and the yellow candles with safety. I'm afraid of the unknown, going into the darkness is very uncomfortable for me. Whenever I saw the yellow candles I thought: Oh hey, something the game definitely wants me to see. I can relax now. The eyes didn't bother me a lot. I played with them for a bit, see how they followed me. It's partially because it's a game, but even within the game I saw it as a simulation. The eyes weren't a part of Madeline, they came from Theo. I saw the eyes of social media following him, staring into his life, always wanting something to see. I felt bad for Theo, for the eyes, but I was made anxious by the monsters and the darkness. It's like experiencing a mental illness from the outside vs the inside. If anything, the section with the eyes made me feel the burden of being someone's pillar of support. I could've done things so much easier alone, but I had to take Theo with me. It's like trying to help someone who only drags you down, but for some reason you keep helping them, because you care or because you feel sorry. And once you've started it's hard to stop in good conscience unless they're completely out.

No words about reversed music?

Not sure I understood clearly this passage, since english is not my native langage. At a point, you said that the eyes represented Madeline's social anxiety. In fact, there are not Madeline's demons, but Theo's demons. Theo is a really interesting character. Contrary to Madeline, he isn't near breakdown. He is quite confident in himself, provides good advices and has an appeasing presence. However, he also has his inner demons, like everyone. It just doesn't have the same strengh as Madeline's one, who is in contrary unconfident and hyperemotive (definitly a mental overefficience, sry I don't know the exact word un english). He is exactly the normal great guy, who have no particular mental illness, confident, and who is not overwelmed by his emotions. However, in the end, Theo didn't climb the Mountain. He didn't confront his demons, contrary to Madeline. And while it can seem not really important, it completely changed my personnal interpretation of the character. Since Theo is not overwelmed by his emotions, he was able to burry them deep inside of him. He is doing exactly the same mistake as Madeline in the level 6, but in his case, he succeded. Yet, he cannot escape them, even if he is mentaly more "robust" than Madeline. He is forever bounded to bear them, deep inside of him. Even if he hides them, they are here. Theo is exactly what are most people today : while they are not as "frail" as Madeline, are not suffering depression and anxiety, and are much more robust, it is precisely this "resistance" toward their emotions that cause their doom. I saw too many of them, especially some "zen" people, that use this as a cover, exactly like how Madeline try to use the feather to suppress herself. Exactly like Théo (Btw, sry for some my english, which is far from being perfect)

Very astute. But *spoiler alert* ... ... ... ...Mirror Temple C-Side is where REAL fear lies. :o

I agree. The sprawling, open ended style of the mirror temple makes you feel helpless if there WAS a threat

I feel so angry that Celeste isn't popular. This game deserves so much more attention... Great video. After playing through the game, it's very interesting to watch vids like this because they give another perspective on things that happen throughout chapters. Like, whole Celestial Resort's soundtrack changes according to state of mr. Oshiro's mind; scene after introduction to feather mechanics shows that depression and anxiety isn't something you can just throw away, how it sometimes can just overwhelm you despite your best efforts... all of that is something I didn't think about while playing. And OST is godly, with my favourite being Golden thanks to little something that happened to me once.

I like how you played the song "anxiety" from celeste's soundtrack while talking about anxiety in the game. Clever Daryl. Clever.

I feel like in my experience the blue torches represented uncertainty, while the yellow ones were progress.

Goodness, every chapter in Celeste manages to convey Madeline herself in every aspect, it's really quite impressive. Chapter 5 is definitely my favorite in terms of exploring Madeline's character. You hit the nail on the head :)

Enjoyed the video but disagree on the yellow representing fear. In general that light gave more hope then fear, especially as Red became the main anxiety color from spikes and statues. Even the red bubbles quickly became that pin prick of tension getting ready for the right timing to dash out. Combined with yellow lights being used like coins in classic platformers and the same color as the yellow key used to progress I quickly associated yellow torches with a feeling like a mentor guiding me through the darkness. Helping with timing and highlighting key points I should be aware of, making yellow torches ease the tension as we learn to trust their placement as we explore the unknown.

Dude, this video is amazing! I'm doing a playthrough of this level for YT over the next couple days and after I finish I'd LOVE to share this for my viewers. It's so spot on, well done!

I wish I was better at noticing subtexts. All these things totally flew over my head when playing the game.

This game helped me. Literally, after watching the story I was happy. My vision of "me" changed a lot, and now I feel better.

The eyes don't follow Madeline. They follow Theo. It's easy to miss in all the jumping craziness, but still, it's a very important detail that adds a lot to the storytelling, if you pay attention.

this. was. one of the best celeste videos i have ever seen..

one detail that isn't in this video (spoilers btw) that I loved is that if we think of the pitch black darkness as Madelines feelings of hopelessness/panic/whatever you wanna call it, then in the big main room where you have to get to the two keys in order to progress with the bubble, you can go up to talk to Theo before you can reach him. And after talking to Theo, the temple gets lighter and you can actually see, right after Theo gives Madeline some encouragement. That's such a neat detail and so subtle!

Great video! Brings about stuff i hadnt really thought about, like the candle thing and the uncomfortable gameplay. One thing i haven't really seen pointed out much is that sometimes the eyes are focused on theo aswell. It could be a way of representing the pressure he feels to impress his family and live up to his grandfather, or perhaps even to impress his InstaPix followers, many of which are likely silently judging him. Him being trapped in a crystal may also be showing he feels trapped or isolated, which may be why he decided to climb celeste. That's what i thought anyway.

The "hidden message" while playing the mirrors OST reverse is also an awesome detail. A well made "easter egg"

Nothing beats Theo's Dialogue in the B-Side to Mirror Temple.

This is a very excellent analysis! I so need to play this game.

After rewatching this video again a year later, I was reminded of how on my first go through the Mirror Temple I had actually tried my hardest to light every single blue torch I came across. After looking back on it I’m beginning to wonder if they intended for you to pursue this perfectionist mindset, by placing so many torches; to further establish this idea that you are reliant on the safety of the torches. Really makes you think.

I remember not catching any of this. “Ohh shit cool! I getta play as an octopus thing!”

It's a true shame that I haven't seen your channel until now, this is wonderfully put together!

I feel like the eyes in the last corridor of the temple (I absolutly don't get Undertale vibes by formulating it like that, no XD) are more for Theo than Madelyn. I feel like Madelyn is more isolated. The "typical" case of social anxity, when you struggle with social interractions and fixate on little thing, like she said herself. In her case, the eyes of the others matters more because "the problem is in her head". (This formumation sounds rude and I seem to take it easy but I know how hard social anxity can be, even if I don't suffer of it (I'm not that great with socialisation neither but I guess I'm in between the two tendencies) and how hard it is to deal with it, don't worry) Theo is the opposite of Madelyn. He is very social as we can see, he immediatly act super friendly with her, he is basicly friendly, warm and kind with everyone. But as we can learn when the talk about themselves to each other, he is under a lot of pression, on the family and professional side. He is jugded on the internet, as a vlogger, he is jugded by people around him for his professionnal and life style choices and he can't help comparing himself to his sister (that's the feeling I have, as he clearly says that she is everything he isn't) and feeling like he never does enough. Plus, according to the phylosphy "Fight your fears" of the temple, it must be him who's concerned by the eyes if it's him who is litterally throwed at it 😅 Welp I gotta correct my mistake, he clearly says that despite what everyone thinks, he isn't comparing himself with his sister, but simply doesn't know what he want to do in his life in general

So far a lot of gaming KZfaqrs have talked about Celeste, but I think your video on it is definitely one of the best by far! Your channel is incredible!

It's so cool to see you improve in every next video. It's not like the vids before were bad, but seeing you constantly get better feels me with determination.

Oddly, the yellow candles never made me uneasy. I just thought they were for when the game wanted an area to be pre-lit, like the challenge rooms full of them (because you need to see sometimes).

Wow I didn't have that experience at all! I was very simplistic about it all. For me it was blue: lights I can turn on yellow: lights I don't have to turn on anymore because they are already lit

This is the very best video about Celeste I have seen so far. You have so much talent and I hope you keep making videos like this. Subscribed

the eyes are specifically theo’s fear; his focus on his social media appearance and how that traps him

in my recommended, i see the beginner's guide. this just got me thinking. this game right here, is a lot more deep and powerful than the beginner's guide ever was. it doesnt rely on an act, it doesnt leave it up to interpretation... it puts its themes into the levels and music and everything. it makes its message clear, and tells you it in a way that only videogames can.

I didn’t expect this to be as thoughtful as it was. A pleasure to watch.

Very nice and structured analysis, gonna definitively stay on this channel :D

I want you to know I waited 2 years to watch this video. When this video first came out I wanted to watch it but didn't wanna get spoiled for Celeste so I waited until I actually finished the game. Now let me tell you the wait was 100% worth it. The video was as good as I thought.

The thing I love most about Celeste is the incredible soundtrack.

your voice is the most soothing thing i've heard in my life

I'm sure many people have pointed this out already, but the eyes in the temple are Theo's demons, not yours. They start appearing when you begin carrying Theo around, and they only stare at him, not at you.

It was amazing of you to reference the artist. I've been looking for its owner thumbs up

Another thing I like is that the monsters also use a mechanical callback to the hotel level where oshiro charges at you with the only thing you can do is either dodge or jump on top of him, the monsters used this same exact mechanic but add to it as the monsters can charge from any direction. I really like this use of recycling mechanics.

I just saw the yellow candles as a pointer to continue the journey, but now I realize that they emphasize danger

My keyboard was probably even more scared that I would break it during the Theo bit

I was not scared while playing this, I wanted to cry... Not from fear, but from sadness, it just made me reflect about everything that has happened lately and all I´ve felt. A part of me wishes I played this game before, for it to have been there since the start of this journey. But another part thinks it´s fine as is, as now is when I need it the most. And I hope that through this I manage to come out with a smile on my face, ready to face what will come after.

Masterful storytelling. This level in particular helped me cope and understand my anxiety. It was pretty spot on.

I only watched this because it appeared in my recommended list...Boy am I glad it did. The amount of quality in this video is astounding, and I’m sure your other videos are just like it. You’ve earned a subscriber, and you deserve many more than just a few hundred. Keep up the quality work.

Not sure why this was on the "Up Next" recommendation to a completely unrelated video, but I found a new game to play and a new youtuber to sub to. This analysis is impressive and makes me wanna give this game a try as soon as I can.

This may be late since this video is 2 years old. But I just want to thank you for broadening my view on gaming. I used to think gaming is just guns, swords, and repeating missions(didn't hate or like it), but your channel taught me that there is much more to gaming and that gaming can convey feelings and emotions too so thank you.

I've played the game but never thought about that. Good job!!

At this time, I think my like made it to 15k though it should be more. I knew Mirror Temple was my favorite level in the game when I played it and for most of the reasons you've stated, but the whole anxiety and the game making you play a feeling says a lot. Thanks for making this. You do good content.

Great video, man. Can't wait to see all the others. Just got a subscriber.

I'm addicted to your channel. There's just lots of great thoughts and concepts genuinely described in each video. Came here through auto-play from snomangaming video. Keep up the good work! Already signed up and shared your videos, specially this one and the dandara one.

Your intro sold me so hard I went and bought the game before I came back

Holy crap, I'm looking at Madeline's dialogue and I can relate to possibly every single one of her personality traits

As I just finished the mirror temple for the first time this was awesome. Hit my feelings spot on. Great video.

my dumb ass meanwhile: oh hell yeah give me more of those pretty gold lanterns

Holy shit this is super well done you deserve more subs

Extremely underrated channel, hope you blow up dude. I’m with you from the start.

The whispering behind my ear when I was wearing headphones was such a scary and great effect and made me the most anxious.

This game is so awesome. This level freaked me out so much. I spent hours trying to figure out where to go from the large room

You have the best voice for talking about video games

Another great video. Your voice is very calming too.

i personally never associated the yellow candles with danger and even if they associated them with danger in the strawberry parts they are more-so guiding the player than making them more afraid

I love Celeste its not like other games with some deep lore about a location and its people which is nice but its amazing when it comes to self conflict and not even realizing it was tying up with the level,yourself,the charachter,and your guys determination go get through this

There's also the music. "In the Mirror" is my favourite track in the OST, especially with the reversed voices during the escape sequence. It's great stuff

Love your vids, bravo

The part that felt most scary to me in the chapter was that at one point you are forced to play as the monster. You have no choice and you have to get back to Madeline even though she's running away. Although its a nice way to teach the monster movements, to me it felt like I/Madeline were programming our fear to hurt us. And as if the monster is desperate to get to Madeline like we were in that one part.

HOW DO YOU HAVE SO LITTLE ATTENTION

1. Now I know why I only have half the strawberries 2. Yes, Celeste is a fantastic game. It's a gift that keeps on giving

8:14 the eyes aren't actually looking at you (madeline) but rather theo. it's representing his want to gain attention on social media, which is his reason for climbing the mountain in the first place

I’m already scared of mirrors this temple was a nightmare

amazing video, I don't know how you're more popular and I'm probably gonna go binge tour channel for a while now. Fantastic. also, little note, the eyes only show up when Theo, the social media guru🤔, is on scene. the mirror temple mirrors everyone's problems, and Theo's problem is being watched, judged, and trapped in his own cage

Someone else commented on it, but I'm surprised you didn't say more about the level's music. There's a lot of good attention given to the visual aesthetics and early mechanical design, yet the music is just as important in establishing the level's atmosphere and themes.

Daryl!! You should update the description on this old video to clarify you're talking about *Maddy* Thorson

The thing is, I don’t feel anxious when I am in the mirror temple because I know this game off by heart since I have completed Celeste about 3000 times

This video was great! Looking forward to more content.

Great analysis

it's been a long time and a different account since I last watched this, still holds up!

Good to know that its not weird for me to dread my future full complete of the mirror temple!

The yellow crystals are actually just lights that you don’t have to manually light up, it’s just for game design

I never noticed any of this. I just played the game. Good job!

the scariest part of this level is finding the path that DOESN'T LEAD TO ANOTHER FUCKING BERRY

Something interesting that just occurred to me is that Theo’s position in this level mirrors (in some respects) what Madeline describes at the beginning of reflections: the feeling of being simultaneously trapped and exposed. He’s trapped in a clear crystal where everyone can see in, but which he can’t leave. He’s not at the bottom of the ocean, but the eyes peer from the darkness, not meaningfully distinguished from one another, which illustrates the one-sided vulnerability of being a creator on social media. The whole thing does a really good job of showing Theo’s inner struggle, and then using it to show how Madeline’s is monumental in comparison.

specifically, the eyes show up in theo’s section, from the overvaluing of how people see him through social media

You know whenI first played this level, I was more in awe. All the details of this massive temple, the rich cultural history seemed beautiful. I found the yellow lights relieving, I saw them as pre-existing light to show me the way, not displaying something dreadful. This entire video essay is new to me, but it’s so good at explaining the story in a way I didn’t realize before. The only thing that truly made me unsettled was the mirror scene and the eye monsters being realized as fleshy creatures, before then I saw this giant temple as beautiful, then after that I learned not to trust appearances. This vast place held monstrosities of grave danger when I thought it was something to be truly in awe at. I can say that truly messed me up for a bit, so I still did get that feeling of dread. I understood Madeline was scared, but I just couldn’t be until the danger showed itself, which made me feel horrible. In the end I did find myself relating a fuck ton with Madeline, I felt captured by her character. Her anxieties, her depression, her truly dark inner-demons, all felt like my own. I think this is why I enjoyed Celeste so much, I saw myself in Madeline, I felt like I accomplished things alongside her after finally reaching the peak of the Mountain, after traversing its core, after ascending the stars to finally say farewell to a loved one. Plppp of You know when I first played this level, I was more in awe. All the details of this massive temple, the rich cultural history seemed beautiful. I found the yellow lights relieving, I saw them as pre-existing light to show me the way, not displaying something dreadful. This entire video essay is new to me, but it’s so good at explaining the story in a way I didn’t realize before. The only thing that truly made me unsettled was the mirror scene and the eye monsters being realized as fleshy creatures, before then I saw this giant temple as beautiful, then after that I learned not to trust appearances. This vast place held monstrosities of grave danger when I thought it was something to be truly in awe at. I can say that truly messed me up for a bit, so I still did get that feeling of dread. I understood Madeline was scared, but I just couldn’t be until the danger showed itself, which made me feel horrible. In the end I did find myself relating a fuck ton with Madeline, I felt captured by her character. Her anxieties, her depression, her truly dark inner-demons, all felt like my own. I think this is why I enjoyed Celeste so much, I saw myself in Madeline, I felt like I accomplished things alongside her after finally reaching the peak of the Mountain, after traversing its core, after ascending the stars to finally say farewell to a loved one.

I definitely agree with this entire video. I have never suffered from depression or anxiety, so I don't directly relate to this level, but I had an indirect relation during my first playthrough. Back when I first played through the game, I was in love with a girl named Maddie, so that really made me connect with the main character of this game with the same name. I knew the feelings that Madeline (Maddie) had throughout the game and I wanted to help her out the best that I could, and that was to complete the levels to get her out of scary places like the Mirror Temple.

Now that you mention it, this is al pure art

this makes me think without ant effort on my own and that's very nice and It feel very bad to be left without this after the video ends

I don't want to be that guy, but the eyes don't follow Madeline, they follow Theo. Still a great video.

I think a good example of creating fear done right is the game Echo. In this game you walk through this empty palace when suddenly the light starts to blackout every few seconds. Soon you start to notice those black blobs all over the ground. After each blackout the blobs grow until they finally start to resemble you. At first they can't attack you but soon they become hostile and start copying your abilities. It does take a while until you really are in danger but the feeling of dread starts as soon as the first blackouts and grows with each iteration.

I know this video is old but after the Mirror Temple there's a super ominous postcard saying "You cant outrun your own reflection"

I haven't completely finished the game yet, but i'm not someone who tends to generally care for spoilers. (I mean, i'm the one looking it up.) So all I want to say is HOLY FUCK I WANT TO FINISH THIS GAME. I'm so unbelievably obsessed with it. The music, the feelings, the control.. it's all so brilliantly done. I'm no stranger to panic attacks and overall I tend to overthink a lot of things. This game has sincerely helped me cope with the problems I face in my everyday life. God it's so good. This is also my first video of yours. Your dissection of the game is great, and I love your voice. I smacked that sub button. Phenomenal video, friend.

Actually the yellow candles gave me a feeling of advancement