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

I've dealt with some difficult choices in interactive entertainment. Several of my selections in Life is Strange series still haunt me. Ghost of Tsushima's concluding moments made me pause the game for several minutes while I considered my options. I am responsible for numerous Krogan deaths in Mass Effect that I would love to reverse. Not a single one of those situations measure up to what now might be the hardest choice I’ve had to make in interactive media — and it involves a massive stairway.

The Game Baby Steps, the newest release from the developers of Ape Out game, is not really a selection-based adventure. Certainly not in any traditional sense. You must explore a sprawling open world as the protagonist Nate, a adult in a onesie who can barely stand on his shaky limbs. It appears to be one big ragebait joke, but Baby Steps game’s strength comes from its surprisingly deep narrative that will surprise you when you’re least expecting it. There’s not a single instance that demonstrates that power like one major choice that I can’t stop thinking about.

Note: Spoilers Ahead

Some background information is required here. Baby Steps game begins as Nate is magically whisked away from his family's basement and into a fictional universe. He immediately finds that walking through it is a struggle, as a lifetime spent as a inactive individual have atrophied his limbs. The humorous physicality of it all comes from users guiding Nate step by step, trying to prevent him from falling over.

The protagonist needs aid, but he has difficulty expressing that to other characters. As he progresses, he comes in contact with a cast of eccentric characters in the world who each propose to give him a hand. A composed outdoorsman attempts to offer Nate a guide, but he awkwardly refuses in the game’s best laugh-out-loud moment. When he drops into an inescapable pit and is offered a ladder, he strives to appear nonchalant like he can manage alone and actually wants to be confined in the cavity. As the plot unfolds, you encounter plenty of irritating episodes where Nate creates additional difficulties because he’s too self-conscious to accept any assistance.

The Pivotal Moment

Everything builds up in Baby Steps game’s single genuine instance of decision. As Nate approaches the conclusion his quest, he realizes that he must ascend of a snowy mountain. The de facto groundskeeper of the world (who Nate has consistently evaded up to this point) comes to tell him that there are two routes to the top. If he’s up for a challenge, he can opt for a particularly extended and dangerous hiking trail dubbed The Manbreaker. It is the most intimidating challenge Baby Steps provides; taking it seems inadvisable to any human.

But there’s a second option: He can merely climb a massive winding stairs as an alternative and reach the summit in a few minutes. The single stipulation? He’ll have to call the groundskeeper “Master” from now on if he takes the easy route.

An Agonizing Decision

I am completely earnest when I say that this is an agonizing choice in this situation. It’s every one of Nate's doubts about himself coming to a head in a single ridiculous instant. Part of Nate’s journey is focused on the fact that he’s unconfident of his body and his masculinity. Each instance he sees that handsome trekker, it’s a painful recollection of all he lacks. Undertaking The Obstacle could be a moment where he can demonstrate that he’s as competent as his unilateral competitor, but that road is bound to be filled with more embarrassing pratfalls. Is it justified striving just to demonstrate something?

The steps, on the flip side, offer Nate an additional crucial instance to decide between receiving aid or refusing it. The gamer cannot choose in about they turn away a map, but they can opt to give Nate a break and take the stairs. It ought to be an simple decision, but Baby Steps game is remarkably shrewd about causing suspicion anytime you find a gift horse. The environment includes planned obstacles that turn a safe route into a obstacle on a dime. Is the staircase yet another trap? Will Nate get to the very summit just to be disappointed by a final joke? And more concerning, is he ready to be diminished another time by being compelled to refer to some weirdo Lord?

No Right or Wrong

The excellence of that situation is that there’s no right or wrong answer. Both options brings about a genuine moment of character development and emotional release for Nate. If you choose to tackle The Challenge, it’s an existential win. Nate finally gets a moment to show that he’s as competent as others, consciously choosing a challenging way rather than enduring one that he has no alternative but to take. It’s challenging, and perhaps unwise, but it’s the bit of empowerment that he needs.

But there’s no embarrassment in the staircase as well. To select that route is to finally allow Nate to receive assistance. And when he does, he realizes that there’s no real catch in store for him. The stairs aren’t a prank. They continue for a while, but they’re simple to climb and he doesn’t slide all the way down if he trips. It’s a simple climb after lengthy difficulty. Midway through, he even has a chat with the hiker who has, of course, opted for The Challenge. He attempts to act casual, but you can discern that he’s fatigued, subtly ruing the unnecessary challenge. By the time Nate reaches the summit and has to fulfill his obligation, addressing his new Master, the agreement barely appears so bad. Who has concern for humiliation by this strange individual?

My Choice

During my game, I selected the steps. Some part of my reasoning just {wanted to call