Baby Steps: A Unique Exploration of Difficulty in Gaming

In the world of gaming, Baby Steps has emerged as a notably divisive title, renowned for its deliberately infuriating yet engaging mechanics. Co-developed by Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzzillo, and Maxi Boch, and published by Devolver Digital, the game is available on PS5 and PC. Its innovative approach has captured the attention of critics and players alike.

A Challenging Masterpiece

At the heart of Baby Steps is its unique walking simulator mechanics, which challenge players with what some describe as awkward, frustrating, and sometimes even stupid gameplay. Yet, there's an undeniable brilliance in its design. Critics like Travis Northrup from IGN have labeled it a "triumphantly quirky physics game," awarding it a 9/10 and hailing its nuanced approach and mastery pursuit.

The game employs punishing traversal mechanics that, while taxing, offer immense satisfaction when players overcome them. GR's review, with a rating of 3.5/5, acknowledges these lengthy challenges but recognizes the rewarding moments that punctuate the frequent frustrations. Similarly, Giovanni Colantonio from Polygon highlighted the game's story as an insightful look into manhood and the value of incremental progress.

Eurogamer's review, granting a 4/5 score, emphasized the varied enjoyment players derive based on their tolerance for frustration, noting the game's surprisingly approachable nature. Sam Hallahan, who bestowed a 4.5/5 rating, deemed the journey a major videogame achievement.

Critics are Divided

Despite the praise, not all feedback has been positive. The Verge pointed out the subversion of typical hiking simulators by turning a serene hobby into an arduous task. Shacknews, with a score of 7/10, observed that some challenges felt unrewarding and that the humor occasionally missed the mark. A more negative perspective came from DualShockers, which rated the game 4/10, criticizing its mechanics, visuals, and tone.

The diversity in opinions has fostered an aggregate review score with 91% of 48 reviews reflecting positive sentiments. This dichotomy underscores the game's ability to evoke strong reactions, both for its intention to be maddening and for its physics mastery and storytelling molds.

Overall, Baby Steps serves as a testament to the allure of unconventional game design, capturing both the frustrations and joys of players aiming for cathartic accomplishment.

Update: 17 Jun 2026