“Baby Steps” Review by Nick Navarro
Walking is the most basic action a person can take, yet in “Baby Steps,” it’s transformed into the greatest challenge I’ve faced in a game in years. What should be second nature instead feels like trying to learn a brand-new language, one stumble at a time, and somehow, that awkwardness is exactly where the fun lives. Developed by Australian trio Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, and Bennett Foddy, and published by Devolver Digital, “Baby Steps” immediately struck me as one of those oddball indie experiments that could either collapse under its own absurdity or become something strangely profound. Knowing Foddy was involved, the mind behind “QWOP” and “Getting Over It,” I wasn’t surprised by its punishing physics, but I was surprised by how much heart and humor sit underneath its clumsy exterior.
You play as Nate, a self-proclaimed man-child who has little going for him until he discovers his hidden ability: putting one foot in front of the other. That might sound trivial, but here, each leg must be lifted, swung, and planted with deliberate precision. Misplace one step, and Nate will tumble helplessly down a slope, his onesie picking up dirt as his failures literally mark his progress. At first, it’s hilarious. Then it’s frustrating. And eventually, it becomes rewarding in a way few other games manage to pull off. The simple act of walking becomes a puzzle. Each ridge, rock, and hill demands that I carefully plot out my next step, all while balancing Nate’s awkward frame against unforgiving terrain. There are moments where I felt like a tightrope walker with no safety net, barely making it across a narrow ledge, only to immediately collapse into a heap because I lifted the wrong foot. But in those failures, I found myself laughing rather than fuming, because the game is designed to make every slip comedic.
That balance between humor and frustration is what defines “Baby Steps.” It toys with my patience, daring me to throw in the towel, while slyly rewarding persistence with small victories that feel monumental. I’ve never been so thrilled just to make it over a small hill or so defeated by a patch of muddy ground. The physics make every movement unpredictable, yet also deeply satisfying once I managed to master them, even if only for a short stretch. The world itself adds another layer of charm. A misty mountain landscape stretches endlessly before me, filled with strange wildlife and environmental oddities that make exploration worth the effort. It’s not packed with collectibles or checklists, in fact, the developers deliberately avoided that kind of structure, but the silly surprises scattered across the journey gave me reasons to keep trudging forward. One moment I was marveling at a quiet view, and the next, I was giggling over some ridiculous encounter that undercut the solemnity of the trek, the dry Australian humor really shines here.
The soundtrack deserves special mention because it’s as odd as the walking. At times it felt like it was mocking me, almost annoying in its offbeat repetition, while in other moments it mirrored my stress perfectly, heightening the absurd struggle of dragging Nate up yet another incline. It’s less about melody and more about creating a mood that is chaotic, surreal, and strangely fitting. Even Nate’s story, which at first seems like nothing more than an excuse for the physical comedy, ends up carrying surprising weight. Beneath all the pratfalls is a character grappling with insecurity, wasted potential, and the pressure to find meaning in a stalled life. As silly as the presentation often is, I couldn’t help but connect with his journey to literally and figuratively put one foot in front of the other. It’s subtle, but it adds a sense of purpose to all the slipping and sliding.
Of course, this isn’t a game for everyone. Within the first twenty minutes, I knew exactly what kind of ride I was in for, and that’s likely true for anyone else who picks it up. If you don’t have the patience for repeated failure, or if the idea of manually moving each leg sounds more tedious than funny, “Baby Steps” won’t change your mind. The controls are intentionally awkward, and the humor is sarcastic and self-aware in a way that might rub some players the wrong way. For me, though, those quirks are exactly what made it memorable. There’s a joy in persevering against mechanics that feel designed to break me, and a weird kind of pride in making progress at a snail’s pace. When I finally scaled a section that had sent me tumbling half a dozen times before, I felt a rush of satisfaction no traditional platformer could match.
“Baby Steps” is a rare kind of experience: part comedy, part punishment, and part triumph. It thrives on testing patience, but it also rewards persistence with moments of genuine hilarity and accomplishment. Whether you come away laughing, raging, or some mix of both depends entirely on how much frustration you’re willing to endure. For those who stick with it, though, it’s a one-of-a-kind trek worth taking.
8/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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