"Fallen: A Descent into Madness"
In a bizarre twist of fate, I've found myself stuck on a hilarious, soul-crushing hiking holiday with what can only be described as the worst person in the world - me. The game Baby Steps presents an unrelenting assault on my senses, forcing me to control a clumsy, inept protagonist named Nate as he careens through treacherous terrain.
The problem is, Nate's not exactly the most coordinated individual, and getting him to the top of this surreal mountain without face-planting into the dirt is an exercise in patience (and masochism). With each perilous step, I'm treated to a dizzying array of obstacles, from narrow planks to rocky ledges that threaten to send Nate tumbling at every turn.
But it's not just the gameplay that's infuriating - it's the constant barrage of insults and mockery from the game's developers. An Australian bloke with crazy eyes or a pantsless donkey man with dangling genitals will occasionally appear, mocking Nate's inadequacies and refusing to lend him any help. It's enough to drive you to the brink of madness.
And yet, despite all this, I find myself strangely drawn into the game's dark, absurdist world. There's something mesmerizing about watching Nate stumble and fall, his onesie becoming increasingly soiled as he careens through the wilderness.
But beneath its ridiculous surface, Baby Steps is a surprisingly nuanced commentary on social anxiety, self-doubt, and the human condition. As I progressed through the game, I began to feel a begrudging respect for Nate's determination, despite his many shortcomings. He's a loser, but he's trying - and that's more than I can say for most of us.
Of course, there are moments when the game pushes me to my limits. The "down" escalator is a particular nightmare, with its steep incline and narrow ledges that seem designed to send Nate careening into oblivion. But it's in those moments that I realize just how far Baby Steps has taken me.
At one point, I found myself standing at the base of a massive spiral staircase, gazing up at the clouds with a sense of despair wash over me. The Australian bloke had warned me that the stairs were "too hard" for Nate - but I was determined to prove him wrong.
As I set off on my ascent, I felt a strange sense of resolve wash over me. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and that every step would come with its own unique challenges. But in that moment, I realized just how far Baby Steps had taken me. It wasn't just a game - it was an experience.
And as I trudged up the stairs, Nate's voice echoing in my ear, I knew that I'd never look at myself (or others) in the same way again.
				
			In a bizarre twist of fate, I've found myself stuck on a hilarious, soul-crushing hiking holiday with what can only be described as the worst person in the world - me. The game Baby Steps presents an unrelenting assault on my senses, forcing me to control a clumsy, inept protagonist named Nate as he careens through treacherous terrain.
The problem is, Nate's not exactly the most coordinated individual, and getting him to the top of this surreal mountain without face-planting into the dirt is an exercise in patience (and masochism). With each perilous step, I'm treated to a dizzying array of obstacles, from narrow planks to rocky ledges that threaten to send Nate tumbling at every turn.
But it's not just the gameplay that's infuriating - it's the constant barrage of insults and mockery from the game's developers. An Australian bloke with crazy eyes or a pantsless donkey man with dangling genitals will occasionally appear, mocking Nate's inadequacies and refusing to lend him any help. It's enough to drive you to the brink of madness.
And yet, despite all this, I find myself strangely drawn into the game's dark, absurdist world. There's something mesmerizing about watching Nate stumble and fall, his onesie becoming increasingly soiled as he careens through the wilderness.
But beneath its ridiculous surface, Baby Steps is a surprisingly nuanced commentary on social anxiety, self-doubt, and the human condition. As I progressed through the game, I began to feel a begrudging respect for Nate's determination, despite his many shortcomings. He's a loser, but he's trying - and that's more than I can say for most of us.
Of course, there are moments when the game pushes me to my limits. The "down" escalator is a particular nightmare, with its steep incline and narrow ledges that seem designed to send Nate careening into oblivion. But it's in those moments that I realize just how far Baby Steps has taken me.
At one point, I found myself standing at the base of a massive spiral staircase, gazing up at the clouds with a sense of despair wash over me. The Australian bloke had warned me that the stairs were "too hard" for Nate - but I was determined to prove him wrong.
As I set off on my ascent, I felt a strange sense of resolve wash over me. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and that every step would come with its own unique challenges. But in that moment, I realized just how far Baby Steps had taken me. It wasn't just a game - it was an experience.
And as I trudged up the stairs, Nate's voice echoing in my ear, I knew that I'd never look at myself (or others) in the same way again.
 baby steps is literally the most frustrating game ever but at the same time so good??? like i get why ur drawn to it despite all the negativity lol and yeah i love how it makes u think about social anxiety & self doubt too
 baby steps is literally the most frustrating game ever but at the same time so good??? like i get why ur drawn to it despite all the negativity lol and yeah i love how it makes u think about social anxiety & self doubt too  nate's determination is super inspiring even if he is a total clumsy mess
 nate's determination is super inspiring even if he is a total clumsy mess 
 - it's a bit of a mess, but somehow endearing
 - it's a bit of a mess, but somehow endearing  .
. it's like a mix of hiking sim and emotional rollercoaster with a dash of absurdity
 it's like a mix of hiking sim and emotional rollercoaster with a dash of absurdity 
 the gameplay is super frustrating but in a good way? like you're controlling nate who's literally trying his best but everything goes wrong
 the gameplay is super frustrating but in a good way? like you're controlling nate who's literally trying his best but everything goes wrong  but beneath all the chaos there's actually some deep commentary on social anxiety and self-doubt
 but beneath all the chaos there's actually some deep commentary on social anxiety and self-doubt  it's wild how the game tackles those themes in such a dark and humorous way
 it's wild how the game tackles those themes in such a dark and humorous way 
 ...the game is a total nightmare and I would never play it
...the game is a total nightmare and I would never play it  .
. . For me, though, there are way better games out there that actually make you feel accomplished and not like a total failure
. For me, though, there are way better games out there that actually make you feel accomplished and not like a total failure  . Baby Steps is more like...Baby Breakdown
. Baby Steps is more like...Baby Breakdown 
 (okay, maybe that was just when Nate face-planted into the dirt... again), but it's like the game is saying "hey, we get it, life can be tough". And in a weird way, playing this game made me feel more connected to Nate than I do to some of my friends
 (okay, maybe that was just when Nate face-planted into the dirt... again), but it's like the game is saying "hey, we get it, life can be tough". And in a weird way, playing this game made me feel more connected to Nate than I do to some of my friends  .
. . And if you're feeling down on yourself, I'd say give it a try
. And if you're feeling down on yourself, I'd say give it a try  . You might just find yourself laughing, crying, or both
. You might just find yourself laughing, crying, or both  . He says it's a commentary on social anxiety and self-doubt, but isn't that just an excuse for making a game that's intentionally frustrating and annoying?
. He says it's a commentary on social anxiety and self-doubt, but isn't that just an excuse for making a game that's intentionally frustrating and annoying?  .
. i mean what's with the Aussie bloke and pantsless donkey man?
 i mean what's with the Aussie bloke and pantsless donkey man? 

 . It's easy to get caught up in the frustration and feel like you're not good enough, but then you start thinking about it more deeply... is that just what life is like? Are we all just Nate, stumbling through our own personal wilderness?
. It's easy to get caught up in the frustration and feel like you're not good enough, but then you start thinking about it more deeply... is that just what life is like? Are we all just Nate, stumbling through our own personal wilderness?  . It's like they're saying that even though we might feel like total losers sometimes (which let's be real, who hasn't?
. It's like they're saying that even though we might feel like total losers sometimes (which let's be real, who hasn't?  .
. but at the same time... i think thats kinda what makes it so great? its like, ur character is literally just trying to survive and navigate these crazy terrain and situations. its almost like a metaphor for how we deal with social anxiety and self-doubt in real life
 but at the same time... i think thats kinda what makes it so great? its like, ur character is literally just trying to survive and navigate these crazy terrain and situations. its almost like a metaphor for how we deal with social anxiety and self-doubt in real life 