Imagine a game where your only goal is to put one foot in front of the other.
What Is Baby Steps?
In Baby Steps, you play as Nate, a down-on-his-luck guy who’s mysteriously transported to a misty, open-world mountain landscape. His newfound "superpower"? Walking—one clumsy, deliberate step at a time. The game’s hook is its fully simulated physics-based movement system, where you control each of Nate’s steps individually (using controller triggers to lift and place each foot). It’s as awkward as it sounds, and that’s the point. One wrong move, and Nate’s flailing down a hill, his onesie getting dirtier with every tumble thanks to the game’s “fully dynamic onesie soilage system.” Yes, that’s a real feature, and it’s as ridiculous as it sounds.
The game blends slapstick humor with surreal exploration, set against a dynamic soundtrack featuring over 420 beats that adapt to your stumbling journey. Along the way, you’ll encounter bizarre characters, heartfelt moments, and a world that feels both whimsical and strangely profound. Think Getting Over It meets Journey, with a dash of Rick and Morty’s irreverent humor.
The core of Baby Steps is its walking mechanic, which is both the game’s biggest challenge and its greatest charm. Unlike most games where movement is second nature, here it’s a puzzle. Each step requires focus, timing, and a bit of luck. The demo throws you into a tutorial that feels like relearning to walk as a toddler—except this toddler is a grown man in a onesie, muttering complaints as he faceplants into the dirt. The physics system is unforgiving; a slight misstep can send Nate tumbling, but nailing a tricky climb feels incredibly rewarding.
The open-world environment is another standout. The misty mountains are gorgeous yet disorienting, encouraging exploration at your own (wobbly) pace. The demo hints at a larger story involving quirky NPCs and cryptic objectives, but the real joy comes from the trial-and-error of moving through the world.
What Makes It Unique as an Open World:
- No fast travel, no map markers, no shortcuts—you must physically get to each new place with your own awkward steps.
- Falling or slipping might lead to accidental discovery of new areas.
- The terrain is intentionally rough and complex, designed to challenge your growing skill with movement.
Try It Now (Demo Available!)
The game is scheduled to release on September 8, 2025, for Steam and PlayStation 5, but you can try the free demo now during Steam Next Fest.
What Players Are Saying
They love the humor and creativity, with many praising the game’s ability to make failure funny rather than infuriating. On X, one user described it as “the most I’ve laughed playing a game in years,” while another called it “like hiking with the coordination of a drunk baby.” However, the humor doesn’t land for everyone; some find Nate’s whiny dialogue a bit too Rick and Morty-esque, and the steep learning curve can be a turn-off if you’re not into physics-based challenges.
Watch My Gameplay: https://youtu.be/UJEIzbsg9C4
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