Assist Mode
Assist Mode is a special mode for Celeste, toggle-able anytime from the save slot menu, which enables access to several features that allow Madeline to progress in an easier way. These options allow players to alter the game mechanics to suit their gameplay style, as well as an accessibility option for people who suffer from disabilities preventing them from playing the game normally.
A special warning is given to players whom attempt to toggle Assist Mode for the first time. It goes as such:
“Assist Mode allows you to modify the game’s rules to fit your specific needs. This includes options such as slowing the game speed, granting yourself invincibility or infinite stamina, and skipping chapters entirely. Celeste is intended to be a challenging and rewarding experience. If the default game proves inaccessible to you, we hope that you can still find that experience with Assist Mode.”
Assists
Game speed
Allows you to lower the games speed down to 50% by multiples of 10. Having a slower game speed gives the player more reaction time, making most obstacles much easier.
Using a lower game speed can also effect the games physics (Such as causing 5-jumps to clear 6 tiles).
Infinite Stamina
Grants the player unlimited stamina, allowing them to grab indefinitely. This can be useful for making difficult climbing challenges easier.
Air Dashes
Changes the amount of dashes the player has: Default, 2, or Infinite. Default will use the amount of dashes the player would normally have in the level, whether that is 1 or 2 dashes. 2 will set it to two dashes permanently. Infinite will allow unlimited dashes without needing to refill them or touch the ground; Madeline is still constrained to one dash every ten frames however. In infinite mode, Madeline's hair is permanently pink (turning white during dashes).
Dash Assist
whenever the player holds the dash button, the game freezes and allows to alter the dash direction, stopping once the key/button is released. Useful for getting used to the dashing mechanics as well as for improving dash precision.
Invincibility
Renders the player immune to all obstacles and hazards. Granting The player the ability to freely move through otherwise dangerous obstacles. If you fall off the bottom of the screen you will bounce out, holding the Jump button causes the player to jump out higher. If the player would be crushed by a moving block, the block instead disappears until the player moves out of the way. You also don't die from hitting a solid object at the end of a dream block, instead just bouncing back. Invincibility does not protect you from getting crushed from Heart Gates.
Assist Skip
allows the player to skip a chapter entirely when on the chapter selection screen. This is only available when using assist mode and not variant mode