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

I've encountered some hard decisions in video games. Certain choices I made in Life is Strange series continue to trouble me. Ghost of Tsushima ending section led me to set down my controller for around ten minutes while I weighed my choices. I am responsible for numerous Krogan deaths in Mass Effect that I would love to reverse. Not a single one of those situations hold a candle to what now might be the toughest selection I've faced in interactive media — and it concerns a giant staircase.

The Game Baby Steps, the latest game from the makers of Ape Out, isn’t exactly a selection-based adventure. At least not in the conventional way. You must navigate a sprawling open world as the protagonist Nate, a grown-up in childish attire who can barely stand on his shaky limbs. It appears to be one big ragebait joke, but Baby Steps’s strength comes from its unexpectedly meaningful plot that will sneak up on you when you least anticipate it. There’s no situation that showcases that quality like a key selection that I can’t stop thinking about.

Note: Spoilers Ahead

Some scene setting is required here. Baby Steps begins as Nate is magically whisked away from his family's basement and into a magical realm. He immediately finds that navigating this world is a difficulty, as a long time spent as a inactive individual have weakened his muscles. The humorous physicality of it all stems from gamers directing Nate gradually, trying to keep his ragdoll body standing.

Nate requires assistance, but he has trouble voicing that to anyone. Throughout his hero’s journey, he comes in contact with a cast of eccentric characters in the world who all offer to give him a hand. A self-assured trekker tries to give Nate a guide, but he awkwardly refuses in the game’s best laugh-out-loud moment. When he plunges into an unavoidable hole and is given a way out, he attempts to act casual like he can manage alone and truly prefers to be confined in the cavity. Throughout the story, you encounter plenty of irritating episodes where Nate creates additional difficulties because he’s too self-conscious to receive help.

The Ultimate Choice

That comes to a head in Baby Steps game’s one true moment of decision. As Nate approaches the conclusion his quest, he realizes that he must climb to the top of a snowy mountain. The default guardian of the world (who Nate has desperately tried to duck up to this point) shows up to inform him that there are two ways up. If he’s prepared for difficulty, he can choose a very lengthy and dangerous hiking trail called The Challenge. It is the most intimidating challenge Baby Steps provides; attempting it appears unwise to anyone.

But there’s a other possibility: He can merely climb a gigantic spiral staircase instead and get to the top in just moments. The only caveat? He’ll have to call the groundskeeper “Master” from now on if he chooses the simple path.

A Difficult Selection

I am absolutely sincere when I say that this is an painful decision in this situation. It’s every one of Nate's doubts about himself coming to a head in a single ridiculous instant. An element of Nate's story is revolves around the reality that he’s insecure of his physique and male identity. Every time he sees that dashing hiker, it’s a hard reminder of everything he’s not. Attempting The Obstacle could be a moment where he can prove that he’s as able as his unilateral competitor, but that road is bound to be laden with more awkward mishaps. Is it justified suffering just to make a statement?

The staircase, on the flip side, offer Nate an additional crucial instance to choose whether to take assistance or not. The gamer cannot choose in if they reject navigation help, but they can decide to give Nate a break and choose the staircase. It might seem like an easy choice, but Baby Steps is exceptionally cunning about creating doubt anytime you find a gift horse. The world is filled with intentional pitfalls that turn a safe route into a difficulty suddenly. Is the staircase an additional deception? Could Nate reach all the way to the top just to be fooled by some last-second gag? And even worse, is he willing to be emasculated once again by being forced to call an odd character as Lord?

No Correct Answer

The excellence of that situation is that there’s no correct or incorrect choice. Both options results in a genuine moment of character development and emotional release for Nate. If you opt to attempt The Challenge, it’s an existential win. Nate eventually obtains a opportunity to demonstrate that he’s as capable as others, consciously choosing a difficult route rather than struggling through one that he has no alternative but to take. It’s challenging, and possibly risky, but it’s the dose of confidence that he requires.

But there’s no shame in the staircase either. To opt for that way is to at last permit Nate to accept help. And when he does so, he realizes that there’s no real catch waiting for him. The steps are not a joke. They go on for a long time, but they’re simple to climb and he won't slip completely down if he stumbles. It’s a easy journey after lengthy difficulty. Halfway up, he even has a conversation with the outdoorsman who has, of course, opted for The Obstacle. He tries to play it cool, but you can see that he’s fatigued, subtly ruing the needless difficulty. By the time Nate gets to the top and has to fulfill his obligation, hailing his new Lord, the agreement barely appears so bad. Who has time to be embarrassed by this odd character?

Personal Reflection

During my game, I opted for the stairs. Some part of my reasoning just {wanted to call