Bennett Foddy's Latest Challenge, 'Baby Steps', Is Out Now
Independent developer Bennett Foddy, widely known for his notoriously difficult games like Getting Over It and the rhythm-action title Ape Out, officially launched his latest project, Baby Steps, yesterday evening. This new release is a humorous 'walking simulator' that tasks players with navigating a comically clumsy protagonist through a challenging mountain landscape.
Players step into the shoes of Nate, a character who must learn to walk properly and navigate treacherous terrain. The core challenge revolves around Nate's severe motor skill issues, making even the simplest steps a deliberate and often hilarious struggle. The goal is to guide Nate to his destination without falling all the way back down the mountain, a feat that is much harder than it sounds.
Initial Reception: Players Embrace the Struggle, Critics Are Divided
In its first day, Baby Steps garnered over a hundred 'Very Positive' reviews on Steam, currently sitting at a 91% approval rate. However, critics have shown a more measured response, with the game averaging 77 points on Metacritic and 74 points on OpenCritic, with a 69% recommendation rate. Reviewers found themselves split: some praised the game's creative mechanics and unique humor, while others found the intentionally frustrating gameplay to be too much. The game's comedic elements also didn't land with everyone.
What the Critics Are Saying
Here's a closer look at some of the initial reviews:
IGN – 90/100
Travis Northup of IGN expressed surprise that one of his favorite games of the year would be about a clumsy man in stained overalls with such poor motor skills. He lauded Baby Steps as an incredibly unusual physics-based game that challenges players with obstacles designed to elicit furious shouts, yet also offers a surprisingly unconventional story and characters that felt like family by the end. Despite its intentionally awkward controls, Northup found the game possessed the right amount of depth, compelling him to master its mechanics. He highly recommends Baby Steps to those who appreciate humor and extreme difficulty, or who simply enjoy a self-inflicted challenge.
TheGamer – 90/100
Sam Hallahan at TheGamer suggested that beneath the surface, Baby Steps holds deeper themes and messages. While the game never explicitly spells them out, Hallahan appreciated this subtlety, noting that it allows players to interpret events in their own way, making it truly special. He promised that Baby Steps is not what players expect, and nothing can prepare them for it. Despite potential frustrations, Hallahan believes the game is worth experiencing for its unique blend of patience, endurance, and curiosity, leading to a gaming experience unlike any other this year.
Hey Poor Player – 80/100
Andrew Thornton from Hey Poor Player found himself consistently drawn back to Baby Steps despite its constant frustrations, which he admits are central to the game's appeal. He felt an urge to return to the game even after taking a break. While not conventionally 'fun', Thornton noted a unique satisfaction in the act of movement and overcoming difficult sections. The game's humorous moments, often involving characters like Jim or other mountain inhabitants, frequently elicited laughter. He described the characters as funny and even found the act of falling amusing, as long as it didn't result in significant progress loss. Thornton believes Baby Steps precariously balances frustration and satisfaction, succeeding as often as Nate manages to stay on a narrow plank. Despite wishing for less progress loss due to awkward controls, he spent most of his time smiling and expressed a desire to continue exploring this strange creation.
Shacknews – 70/100
Lucas White at Shacknews found Baby Steps often funny and delightfully strange, but also felt it exhibited a smugness and authorial arrogance that he found irritating. He recognized the game's narrative about leaving home, becoming an adult, and seeking help when needed, but wasn't willing to praise it simply for existing. Ultimately, White described the game as weird and silly, yet too self-assured to effectively deliver its message. He felt it was too stretched out to maintain its humor, and its story felt clumsy despite an attempt at sharpness. Despite growing irritated by the end, he fondly remembered the initial hours, noting that watching the clumsy protagonist tumble down a muddy hill is amusing at first but quickly wears thin.
DualShockers – 40/100
Ethan Krieger's review for DualShockers was largely negative. He struggled to find the appeal of Baby Steps within the first hour, quickly growing tired of it, and felt the game simply didn't care. While acknowledging the QWOP-like movement engine works well and there are some absurd moments, Krieger believed the game quickly devolved from honest silliness into frustrating annoyance with no redeeming qualities. He predicted hours of agonizingly aimless wandering and cringed at humor he found inappropriate, crude, and vulgar without cause. Krieger called it a mean-spirited game, even noting the soundtrack seemed designed to annoy. He advised prospective players to watch someone else play it rather than experience it themselves.
What This Means for Players
Baby Steps is a game that is clearly designed to be polarizing. Fans of Bennett Foddy's previous work, particularly Getting Over It, will likely appreciate the deliberate challenge and unique physics-based gameplay. Those seeking a straightforward or relaxing experience, however, might find the intentional frustration and specific brand of humor off-putting. It’s an experience that demands patience and a willingness to laugh at your own struggles, offering a deep satisfaction when you finally master a treacherous step.
Baby Steps is available now on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5, with Russian subtitles included.
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