Baby Steps – Review
Baby Steps is a fantastic example of what Indie Developers can do with their creative freedom. No major publisher would have signed off on this game and its very unique mechanics, which won’t be for everyone, but the fact it has been made is a credit to the indie games scene and cult status is sure to be the result.
Baby Steps is created by only three developers, most notabably Australian Bennett Foddy, who made “Getting Over It”, a weird physics based platformed from 2017. They have partnered with Deveolver Digital, one of the few Publishers who has the ‘rizz’ to bring a game like this to market. Like Getting Over It, Baby Steps fits into Foddys wheel house of a physics based game with simple mechinics, that is deceptivly hard to master.
There is no story as such. The setup is a 30-something, overweight dude in a onesie, named “Nate”, was living in his parents basement, smoking dope and playing Video Games. But magically ‘bamfs’ to the foot of a mountain, and now has to walk up it…thats it. This premise sounds waaaaay easier than it really is though. This is a walking simulator and physics game, all built around how Nate moves. His left leg is the Left Trigger, right leg is Right Trigger and his lean is Left Stick. Thats it…thats the whole ball game. Granted the right stick is a standard 3rd-person camera, but has no effect on Nicks balance and physics.
The reason I labelled this game in my opening as a fantastic example of indie freedom, is that the whole game is built on a single gameplay mechanic. And this mechanic is inherinantly, if not out-n-out, designed to be frustrating. As Nates lack of physical prowess means he will tumble in a strong breeze, let alone trying to mountain climb. It takes real artisitc integrity and frankly, a bit of commercial bravery on the part of both the Devs and the Publisher, to make a game like this.
So, hilariously trying to get the podgy dude to put one foot infront of the other, as the hill trail gets more complex is the framework of the game. Simple trails morph to being riddled with roots and boulders then, creeks, steep inclines, stiles, narrow bridges, cliffs and more. Everything one would strike on a mountain walk. And ALL has to be navigated with just two triggers and a left stick…..and none of this gameplay is intuitive or refined.
And this is where me and Baby Steps begin to part ways.
The games humour is on point, especially for Auzzie and Kiwi sensibilities. In the opening sequence and sort of guide arrives, adorned in Hi-Viz, sporting a strong Auzzie accent. Here to check on our tubby hero. The exchange is uncomfortable, cringy and hilarious. Nate needs a pee and the guide says to use a bush, promising not to watch….well not much anyway. So funny!
As much as I respect the design bravery and the humour….the game has one mechanic. And after a few hours of falling flat on my face, I just didn’t find it fun. Thats not to say others won’t love it. I think Baby Steps will have a community of hard-core fans and probably an even bigger online following in the hands of Streamers. As it is very funny to watch. A missed step, a fumbled bit of balance, and pudgy Nate falls in a hilarious heap. Defeated by gravity…and unbirdled apathy.
Baby Steps is going to be a cult hit, as said, especially in the Streamer space. Watching portly Nates bum, jiggle in his filty onsie, only to tumble and groan as he collapses in a heap, did bring a smile to my dial. But the mechanics are simple, yet unforgiving. To the point I wasn’t having much fun. So after a few hours, and what felt like endless falls. I left squidgy Nate in a heap, on the side of a hill, to reflect upon his decision that go him to this point in his life…
