GameTimeline

Release & story order

Celeste chapters and games in order

Use this page for Celeste chapters and games in order—Maddy Thorson’s precision climb from the 2018 base game through the free Farewell chapter. Release treats Celeste (January 25, 2018) and Farewell (September 9, 2019) as dated milestones so you know what shipped when. Story follows the mountain’s narrative: Chapters 1–8 first, then Farewell as the emotional epilogue. Essentials covers base-game-first or full-with-Farewell. Precision neighbors: Ori, Hollow Knight, and Mario.

Updated September 2026

Pick your path:

Base game first Full with Farewell Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick Base game first if you want Chapters 1–8 checked before deciding on Farewell, or Full with Farewell when you plan the complete Madeline arc including the free epilogue chapter. Both paths live inside one storefront purchase on modern platforms.

  • First mountain climb → base-game-first, then add Farewell when ready
  • Completionists → full-with-farewell after the original ending
  • Anxiety-friendly play → turn on Assist Mode anytime; story still counts
  • Speed/mastery chase → clear story, then B-Sides; Farewell when you want the epilogue challenge

Release order

When Celeste content shipped for players—Celeste launched January 25, 2018 as the full mountain climb, and Farewell arrived September 9, 2019 as a free major chapter update. Release tab dates those milestones so collectors and “what’s new since launch” readers can see the gap; you still buy one game today with Farewell included.

  • Newcomers → play Celeste base chapters first; Farewell is already in modern builds
  • Content history → note 2018 launch vs 2019 Farewell free update on Release
  • Difficulty aids → Assist Mode is valid; perfection is optional
  • Skip cost → skipping Farewell only loses the epilogue, not the core mountain ending
Story order tips

Narrative order is Chapters 1–8 on the mountain, then Farewell as the post-credits emotional epilogue. Story tab therefore lists the base campaign first and Farewell second—matching how most players experience Madeline’s arc. Do not start Farewell mid-climb; finish the original ending path before the free chapter.

  • Chapters 1–8 first—Forsaken City through the original summit arc
  • Farewell last—treat it as Chapter 9 / epilogue, not a mid-game detour
  • B-Sides and C-Sides are optional mastery layers after (or beside) story clears
  • On Story order, Farewell may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

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When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Celeste

    Celeste

    PCSwitchPS4Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPlatformerMainline

    Celeste is the 2018 precision platformer about Madeline climbing Celeste Mountain—tight dash tech, compassionate difficulty design, and a story that treats anxiety as more than flavor text. One purchase covers the base chapters most players mean by “beating Celeste.”

    Overview
    Frame-perfect-feeling dashes, generous mid-screen respawns, and Assist Mode proved hard platformers could be welcoming. The mountain’s chapter structure and soundtrack made Celeste a genre benchmark for indie precision climbing.
    In-game setting
    Madeline’s Chapters 1–8 climb—Forsaken City through the summit arc. Farewell ships later as a free epilogue chapter, not a separate sequel SKU. Story continuity stays inside this mountain.
    Should you play it?
    Start here. Required before Farewell for story order. Neighboring climbs: Ori for metroidvania emotion, Hollow Knight for denser exploration combat.
    Release date
    US January 25, 2018 across PC and major consoles; modern storefront builds include post-launch updates.
  2. Celeste: Farewell

    Celeste: Farewell

    PCSwitchPS4Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPlatformerFree updateEpilogue

    Farewell is Celeste’s free September 2019 chapter—an extended epilogue after the original ending with some of the game’s hardest screens and a quieter emotional coda. Listed on Release as a content milestone even though it is not a separate paid sequel.

    Overview
    Post-launch free chapter that extends narrative closure and doubles as a master-class gauntlet. It showed Celeste’s live support without turning the mountain into a live-service grind.
    In-game setting
    Epilogue after Chapters 1–8. Expect advanced tech and longer death loops; story assumes you already finished Madeline’s original summit arc. Not a prequel and not required for “beating Celeste” in the 2018 sense.
    Should you play it?
    Play after the base ending when you want the full arc. Optional if you only need Chapters 1–8 closure; required for Essentials full-with-farewell.
    Release date
    Free content update September 9, 2019 on the same platforms as the base game; included in current builds.

FAQ

Chapter order, Farewell spoilers, Assist Mode, B-sides, and how Celeste compares to Ori or Hollow Knight.

Play order

Story order: Chapters 1–8 → Farewell.

Modern storefront builds already include Farewell—you do not buy a second game.

Precision neighbors: Ori and Hollow Knight.

Chapters & story

After you finish Chapters 1–8 and see the original ending. Farewell is an epilogue with harder screens and story that assumes the base climb. Starting it early softens emotional payoff and spikes difficulty before you have the full move vocabulary.

Modes & extras

No. Assist Mode exists so more players can finish Madeline’s story. Use infinite stamina, invincibility, or game-speed tweaks if a screen is blocking you—Celeste’s designers treat accessibility as part of the climb, not a secret shame setting.

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.