The Game Baby Steps Presents One of the Most Significant Choices I've Ever Experienced in a Game

I've encountered some challenging decisions in gaming. Some of my decisions in Life is Strange series still haunt me. Ghost of Tsushima concluding moments made me pause the game for several minutes while I thought through my alternatives. I am the cause of numerous Krogan demises in Mass Effect that I would love to reverse. None of those moments hold a candle to what now might be the most difficult decision I've ever made in gaming — and it concerns a enormous set of steps.

The Game Baby Steps, the latest game from the makers of Ape Out, is not really a selection-based adventure. At least not in typical gaming terms. You only need to explore a sprawling open world as the protagonist Nate, a grown-up in childish attire who can struggle to remain on his shaky limbs. It appears to be an exercise in frustration, but Baby Steps’s strength comes from its unexpectedly meaningful plot that will surprise you when it's most unexpected. There’s no moment that demonstrates that power like a key selection that I can’t stop thinking about.

Spoiler Warning

A bit of context is required here. Baby Steps game begins as Nate is magically whisked away from the basement of his home and into a fantasy world. He quickly discovers that moving around in it is a struggle, as years spent as a couch potato have atrophied his limbs. The slapstick elements of it all comes from users guiding Nate one step at a time, trying to prevent him from falling over.

The protagonist needs aid, but he has trouble voicing that to anyone. As he progresses, he comes in contact with a group of unusual individuals in the world who everyone tries to give him a hand. A self-assured trekker seeks to provide Nate a navigation aid, but he uncomfortably rejects in the game’s best laugh-out-loud moment. When he drops into an inescapable pit and is given a way out, he tries to play it off like he doesn’t need the help and truly prefers to be confined in the cavity. As the plot unfolds, you encounter plenty of frustrating vignettes where Nate creates additional difficulties because he’s not confident enough to accept any assistance.

The Pivotal Moment

Everything builds up in Baby Steps’s key situation of choice. As Nate nears the end his quest, he finds that he must reach the summit of a snow-capped peak. The unofficial caretaker of the world (who Nate has desperately tried to duck up to this point) appears to inform him that there are two paths upward. If he’s up for a challenge, he can opt for a particularly extended and risky path named The Challenge. It is the most intimidating challenge Baby Steps includes; taking it seems inadvisable to any human.

But there’s a alternative choice: He can just walk up a massive winding stairs instead and arrive at the peak in a few minutes. The only caveat? He’ll have to refer to the caretaker “Sir” from now on if he opts for the effortless way.

A Painful Choice

I am completely earnest when I say that this is an difficult selection in context. It’s all of Nate’s insecurities about himself coming to a head in a single ridiculous instant. An element of Nate's story is centered around the reality that he’s insecure of his body and his masculinity. Every time he sees that impressive outdoorsman, it’s a hard reminder of all he lacks. Taking on The Obstacle could be a time where he can demonstrate that he’s as capable as his one-sided rival, but that route is sure to be filled with more awkward mishaps. Does it merit striving just to demonstrate something?

The staircase, on the contrary, give Nate another big moment to choose whether to take assistance or not. The player has no choice in about they decline guidance, but they can choose to provide Nate with respite and choose the staircase. It should be an simple decision, but Baby Steps is exceptionally cunning about creating doubt each time you encounter an easy option. The environment includes planned obstacles that change a secure way into a setback suddenly. Are the stairs yet another trap? Could Nate reach at the peak just to be fooled by some last-second gag? And more concerning, is he ready to be diminished yet again by being compelled to refer to a strange individual as Master?

No Right or Wrong

The beauty of that moment is that there’s no correct or incorrect choice. Both options leads to a genuine moment of protagonist evolution and catharsis for Nate. If you choose to tackle The Obstacle, it’s an existential win. Nate finally gets a opportunity to demonstrate that he’s as competent as others, willingly taking on a challenging way rather than suffering through one that he has no choice but to follow. It’s difficult, and maybe ill-advised, but it’s the dose of confidence that he requires.

But there’s no embarrassment in the staircase either. To choose that path is to eventually enable Nate to take support. And when he does so, he finds that there’s no real catch in store for him. The staircase is not a trick. They go on for a long time, but they’re straightforward to ascend and he won't slip all the way down if he trips. It’s a straightforward ascent after hours of struggle. Partway through, he even has a chat with the hiker who has, naturally, chosen to take The Challenge. He tries to play it cool, but you can tell that he’s worn out, silently lamenting the pointless struggle. By the time Nate gets to the top and has to meet his agreement, addressing his new Master, the agreement barely appears so unpleasant. Who has concern for humiliation by this strange individual?

My Experience

During my game, I chose the staircase. A portion of my thinking just {wanted to call