The Game Baby Steps Includes One of the Most Significant Choices I've Ever Encountered in Video Games

I've dealt with some hard decisions in video games. Some of my decisions in Life is Strange series remain on my mind. Ghost of Tsushima final sequence led me to put my controller down for a good 10 minutes while I considered my alternatives. I am responsible for numerous Krogan fatalities in the Mass Effect series that I would love to reverse. Not one of those instances hold a candle to what could be the hardest choice I've faced in interactive media — and it has to do with a giant staircase.

Baby Steps, the recent title from the creators of Ape Out, is not really a decision-focused experience. Definitely not in any traditional sense. You must explore a expansive environment as the protagonist Nate, a onesie-wearing manchild who can barely stand on his wobbly legs. It seems like one big ragebait joke, but Baby Steps’s appeal is in its surprisingly deep narrative that will sneak up on you when it's most unexpected. There’s no moment that exemplifies that strength like a pivotal decision that remains on my mind.

Alert: Spoilers

Some scene setting is necessary here. Baby Steps begins as the protagonist is suddenly taken from his parents’ basement and into a fantasy world. He soon realizes that moving around in it is a difficulty, as years spent as a inactive individual have weakened his muscles. The physical comedy of it all comes from users guiding Nate gradually, trying to prevent him from falling over.

The protagonist needs aid, but he has problems articulating that to anyone. As he progresses, he encounters a group of unusual individuals in the world who all offer to assist him. A composed outdoorsman seeks to provide Nate a guide, but he awkwardly refuses in the game’s best laugh-out-loud moment. When he falls into an inescapable pit and is offered a ladder, he strives to appear nonchalant like he doesn’t need the help and truly prefers to be confined in the cavity. Throughout the story, you experience no shortage of frustrating vignettes where Nate creates additional difficulties because he’s too insecure to receive help.

The Pivotal Moment

Everything builds up in Baby Steps’s key situation of decision. As Nate nears the end his adventure, he finds that he must climb to the top of a snow-capped peak. The de facto groundskeeper of the world (who Nate has consistently evaded up to this point) shows up to inform him that there are two ways up. If he’s up for a challenge, he can choose a very lengthy and dangerous hiking trail called The Challenge. It is the most formidable barrier Baby Steps includes; choosing it looks risky to any person.

But there’s a alternative choice: He can merely climb a gigantic spiral staircase in its place and reach the summit in a few minutes. The only caveat? He’ll have to address the guardian “Sir” from now on if he chooses the simple path.

A Painful Choice

I am very serious when I say that this is an painful decision in context. It’s all of Nate’s insecurities about himself coming to a head in a single ridiculous instant. Part of Nate’s journey is focused on the reality that he’s unconfident of his body and his masculinity. Whenever he sees that impressive outdoorsman, it’s a difficult memory of everything he’s not. Attempting The Manbreaker could be a instance where he can prove that he’s as capable as his imagined opponent, but that road is bound to be filled with more humiliating failures. Is it justified struggling just to demonstrate something?

The stairs, on the flip side, offer Nate an additional crucial instance to choose whether to take assistance or not. The user doesn't get to decide in if they reject navigation help, but they can decide to allow Nate some relief and take the stairs. It ought to be an simple decision, but Baby Steps game is exceptionally cunning about causing suspicion whenever you encounter an easy option. The game world contains intentional pitfalls that change a secure way into a difficulty instantly. Could the steps an additional deception? Might Nate arrive at the peak just to be let down by an ending prank? And more concerning, is he willing to be emasculated yet again by being forced to call a strange individual as Master?

No Right or Wrong

The excellence of that situation is that there’s no perfect selection. Both options results in a authentic instance of character development and emotional release for Nate. If you decide to take on The Challenge, it’s an philosophical victory. Nate eventually obtains a opportunity to demonstrate that he’s as capable as anyone else, consciously choosing a tough path rather than suffering through one that he has no option except to pursue. It’s hard, and possibly risky, but it’s the moment of strength that he needs.

But there’s no embarrassment in the staircase too. To opt for that way is to eventually enable Nate to take support. And when he does so, he discovers that there’s no hidden trick waiting for him. The stairs aren’t a prank. They continue for a while, but they’re easy to walk up and he doesn’t slide completely down if he stumbles. It’s a easy journey after extended challenges. Midway through, he even has a discussion with the hiker who has, naturally, chosen to take The Obstacle. He strives to appear composed, but you can see that he’s worn out, silently lamenting the pointless struggle. By the time Nate gets to the top and has to meet his agreement, hailing his new Lord, the deal hardly seems so unpleasant. Who has energy for shame by this freak?

Personal Reflection

In my playthrough, I chose the staircase. Part of me just {wanted to call