Baby Steps preview — Put one foot in front of the other

Nate is just your average basement-dwelling 35-year-old. He hangs out all day in sweatpants, watching anime and passing the time. When he hears his parents begin to discuss calling a meeting to hold him accountable, something happens. He blips out, finding himself in an alternate world. Now, he’ll have to figure out how to make his own way, one step at a time.

When they say Baby Steps is a walking simulator, they’re accurate by the very definition. Nate will have to figure out how to navigate the world literally one step at a time. You’ll control Nate’s center of gravity as well as the picking-up and putting-down of each of his legs. It sounds simple in concept, but seeing it in action is quite the experience. 

The world is full of varied terrain and obstacles. Having Nate try to step up, around, and over everything in his path makes for some goofy physics-based shenanigans as you’ll undoubtedly trip and crash to the earth in some sort of awkward pose. I couldn’t help but cackle while playing. Seeing him fall forward with no intention of bracing himself or tripping backward to kick his legs like a baby as you try to get him to stand makes for some riotous situations. 

In what seems like a bold and awkward move that somehow works, Baby Steps has taken a thoughtfully irreverent approach to its comedy and storytelling. The comical timing is hilarious, but the dialogue clearly isn’t meant for a younger audience. There are jokes referencing potty humor, voyeurism, and more, and that’s just in the first few minutes of the experience. It’s writing that’s so stupid, it’s hilarious. Fans who enjoy the comedy chops of Ren and Stimpy or The Venture Bros will have a great time here.

With Bennett Foddy’s involvement, the game’s capacity for frustration amidst hilarity should come as no surprise. Baby Steps feels like Foddy decided to birth the cursed lovechild of two of his previous games, QWOP and Getting Over It. As you work your way up mountains and around terrain, there are plenty of obstacles that will send you tumbling to the bottom to start all over. Falling into a muddy ravine and helplessly watching Nate slide for what seems like an eternity is a little gutting, but the absurdity of it got a chuckle before I picked myself up to try again. This is sure to be popular with the content creation community.

Given what I’d seen of the trailers and gameplay, I had low expectations for what Baby Steps was bringing to the table. I can happily say my time with the game has changed that opinion. While I don’t believe it’ll be any sort of life-altering experience, Baby Steps has the potential to be one of the goofiest chucklefests in years. That said, it’s going to be the type of game that frays your nerves and tests your patience, but it’s going to be great. 

Be sure to stay tuned to GamingTrend for more on Baby Steps when it releases September 28.