Stumbling through a whimsical wilderness in Baby Steps

GAMING NEWS AlexP - Sep 24, 2025, 2:27 PM

Baby Steps is a physics-based adventure game that redefines the walking simulator genre with its unique blend of slapstick comedy and deliberate, often infuriating movement mechanics. Rated M for Mature due to mild nudity, strong language, drug references, and mature humor, it's a bold, unconventional experience that challenges players' patience and rewards persistence. The gameplay centers on controlling each of the protagonist's footsteps manually, using precise inputs to navigate a surreal open world. Every misstep leads to hilarious ragdoll tumbles, transforming falls into moments of discovery and laughter. With no combat, the focus is purely on exploration and environmental puzzles, offering a main story playtime of roughly 8-12 hours, with optional challenges extending the journey for dedicated players.

The game's setting evokes the misty, expansive landscapes of The Elder Scrolls, but with a low-poly, intentionally unpolished aesthetic that leans into absurdity over grandeur. Players traverse twisted mountain paths, muddy slopes, and rickety mine tracks in a dreamlike wilderness teeming with quirky details—think serene peaks dotted with adorable chicks and cardboard box mazes. The lack of a HUD or map forces reliance on intuition, making every hike feel like a personal odyssey through a fantasy realm that's equal parts whimsical and treacherous. The dynamic soundtrack, with over 420 procedural beats, syncs to your steps (or stumbles), amplifying the immersive chaos.

Nate's surreal hike to self-discovery

In Baby Steps, you play as Nate, a 35-year-old unemployed ''failson'' who's whisked from his basement life into this otherworldly landscape via an isekai-style portal. Desperate to find a bathroom and survive, Nate's journey is both a literal and metaphorical stumble toward self-discovery. Through encounters with oddball characters—like a chatty donkey—and environmental storytelling, the narrative weaves a meta-commentary on failure, masculinity, and growth. Nate's arc, from clumsy loner to someone embracing vulnerability, is subtle yet poignant, punctuated by absurd humor and a ''dynamic onesie soilage system'' that tracks his outfit's grime.

Players have embraced Baby Steps for its unmatched humor and originality. The game's ability to turn frustration into comedy, coupled with its bizarre yet touching narrative, makes it a standout. Whether you're laughing at Nate's flailing falls or marveling at the game's unapologetic weirdness, Baby Steps delivers a uniquely unforgettable adventure that redefines what a game can be. Find the best prices for Baby Steps using our price comparison tool.