5.1 GB
The Age of Empires nobody could play anymore, running again — and still free.
Verified working 19 hours ago
Last updated
Project Celeste is a free strategy game released under Free to play — fan revival under Microsoft's Game Content Usage Rules. It runs on Windows, needs about 5.1 GB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. On a computer, the fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher. On a phone or tablet, use the official store or site instead.
Choose how to install
Install with PlayBound or download from the official source without the launcher.
Windows
Download the Project Celeste launcher from the official site at https://www.projectceleste.com/. PlayBound's one-click install does this step for you.
Windows
Run Celeste.Launcher and create a free Project Celeste account, or sign in if you already have one. An account is required — progression is stored server-side.
Windows
Let the launcher download and patch the game client, roughly 4 GB, then press Play. Every civilization and all expansion content is unlocked for everyone at no cost.
Recommended first-time setup and configuration steps when launching Project Celeste.
Do the personality test on the Project Celeste site if you are unsure which of the eight civilizations to start with; you can play them all.
Run quests with a friend before PvP; gear from co-op quests carries into every match, and gearless champion-mode PvP is also available.
How to join and navigate multiplayer lobbies and servers in Project Celeste.
Project Celeste runs on community-hosted servers; everyone signs in with a Project Celeste account and plays the same live world.
For co-op quests, invite a friend from inside the game, or for PvP queue the ranked, gearless arena. A PlayBound party helps you agree on a civilization and a time.
Minimum
Windows 7 SP1 64-bit · dual-core 1.8 GHz · 2 GB RAM · DirectX 9.0c GPU with Shader Model 2.0, 128 MB VRAM · 5 GB storage · .NET Framework 4.6.1 · broadband connection
Recommended
Windows 10/11 64-bit · dual-core 2.4 GHz or better · 4 GB RAM · DirectX 9.0c GPU with Shader Model 3.0, 256 MB VRAM · 5 GB storage · .NET Framework 4.8 · broadband connection
Completely. There is no purchase, no subscription and no cash shop. The premium civilizations and expansion content that cost money in 2013 are unlocked for everyone, because there is no longer a store to buy them from.
It operates under Microsoft's Game Content Usage Rules. Microsoft does not sponsor or endorse it. The project rebuilt the server infrastructure itself and has run publicly since 2017.
No. You create a free Project Celeste account inside the launcher. The original Steam and Games for Windows Live versions no longer exist, and nothing carries over from them.
No. The original accounts went down with Microsoft's servers in 2014. Everyone starts a fresh civilization on Celeste.
There is no official build for either. Some players get it working through Wine or Proton with mixed results. PlayBound lists it as Windows only and does not currently test the alternatives.
Yes. Project Celeste supports up to 8 players. Its multiplayer runs through the game's own online service or menus, so PlayBound Connect parties and PlayBound dedicated servers are not available for it. It also supports co-op play and a ranked ladder. The game can run its own dedicated servers. There is no subscription and no paid multiplayer tier.
Yes. The launcher's GitHub repository shipped v3.20.0 on 24 August 2026, with earlier releases in July and May 2026, so it is actively maintained.
All eight: Greek, Egyptian, Celt, Persian, Roman, Babylonian, Norse and Indian, all free according to the project's site.