Review: Baby Steps (PS5) – A Rewarding, Surrealist Odyssey for Those Willing to Fail

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Baby Steps would be a very easy game to dislike.

At first glance, the game seems like a pointless attempt to provoke anger. It features a clumsy, anxious, and unfit main character, and the graphics aren’t very appealing.

This game definitely falls into the ‘rage game’ category, but it’s unique because it also tells a compelling story alongside its many difficult, yet rewarding, levels.

You’re Nate, a 35-year-old who’s down on his luck and living with his parents. While overhearing another argument about his life, the TV suddenly malfunctions, and he finds himself unexpectedly transported to a completely different world. This new place forces him to take action and change his ways.

This is where you take control. You directly manage Nate’s legs using the controller: the triggers lift each leg individually, and the left stick lets you precisely position the lifted foot.

The game uses a deliberately complicated control system, making it quite challenging. This leads to some funny mishaps and failures along the way.

Going into this game, be prepared for challenges – you’ll likely make mistakes, lose some progress with just one wrong step, and feel frustrated enough to quit. But that’s actually what makes the game interesting.

Like the challenging game *Getting Over It*, *Baby Steps* is all about patience and sticking with it. You’ll need both as you climb a huge mountain. While it can be frustrating, overcoming difficult parts feels incredibly rewarding and makes reaching the top even more satisfying.

Your primary objective is to hike to the top of the mountain, but you’re free to explore a vast world along the way. While some areas might seem empty, there are plenty of fascinating places and different paths to find if you venture off the beaten track.

You’ll find an early example of this in the game’s first chapter. If you explore far enough, you’ll come across the remains of a carnival with some optional challenges to try.

As you climb the mountain, you’ll encounter extra goals on each level. These all involve finding an item and taking it to the closest fire tower. While the tasks are similar, they add a slight challenge to your climb.

If you’re carrying something and fall, you could drop it. Getting it back might be difficult and could throw you off your planned route – it can be really challenging.

You’ll also discover hats hidden in tricky spots throughout your adventure. Though they don’t affect gameplay-except for one special hat-wearing a hat when you reach a campfire reveals extra story details. Campfires mark the end of each chapter and the start of the next, offering a chance to learn more about the world and its characters.

We’re trying not to give away too much, but these scenes provide a deeper look into Nate’s life and family, and are worth checking out if you want to learn more about the story.

The game features cutscenes that play at key moments during progression, and also at optional spots you can discover.

The story features some unusual characters, like Jim, a guide who gets frustrated with Nate’s lack of skill, and Mike, a surprisingly well-prepared hiker who joins them.

The game’s cutscenes are funny, largely because the characters often speak off-the-cuff, which really highlights how uncomfortable and withdrawn Nate is. Without giving away any spoilers, we found ourselves really sympathizing with him as the story progressed – it’s clear he’s dealing with a lot.

Okay, so this game isn’t trying to be super deep or anything. Honestly, it’s way more about being weird and funny! For every moment that feels a little bit meaningful, there are tons more that are just completely bizarre – I mean, there are hills shaped like… well, let’s just say they’re unexpected, and a guy selling ice cream in a place you *really* wouldn’t expect. It’s delightfully ridiculous!

The game’s sound design is particularly interesting. It doesn’t rely on traditional music, sometimes featuring complete silence, and other times using only ambient sounds like birds, footsteps, and dripping water. While it’s not the kind of music you’d tap your foot to, it creates a truly unique atmosphere that perfectly complements the game’s quirky and unpredictable style.

We haven’t discussed much about the core storyline – climbing the mountain with Nate’s unique movement – and that’s intentional. It’s a journey best discovered as you play.

As a hiker, I’ve found that every part of this mountain feels totally different – each section has its own unique beauty, and throws its own set of challenges at you. Honestly, the best part is figuring it all out as you go – there’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovery, and sometimes, a little frustration too!

Everyone’s experience with this game will likely be different – maybe more so than with any other game we’ve played lately. Whether you’ll enjoy ‘Baby Steps’ really comes down to how much you can handle its unusual conversations, deliberately frustrating challenges, and slow pace.

We thoroughly enjoyed the game. We especially appreciate that it leaves room for future content – things like optional areas, items, and scenes – even after completing it multiple times. It’s exciting to think there’s still more to discover.

The game isn’t perfect – I ran into a few minor issues, like some strange bugs and occasional crashes, during about 20 hours of gameplay. It’s a little rough around the edges, but nothing major.

The game might initially seem simple or like a novelty, but it actually has a surprisingly touching story and is genuinely funny. It won’t appeal to all players, but those who enjoy a good challenge and don’t mind a bit of weirdness will really enjoy it.

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2025-09-23 19:08