The Unlikely Hero: How Baby Steps Became My Favorite Game of the Year
For me, playing Baby Steps was like going on a horrible hiking holiday with the world's most incompetent loser. The game's protagonist, Nate, is a lovable but pathetic character who refuses to accept help from anyone. As I spent hours guiding him up the mountain, I couldn't help but feel frustrated with his antics, but at the same time, I found myself rooting for him.
Game developer Gabe Cuzzillo shrugs off Nate's appearance in a onesie and big butt, saying "I don't know why he is in a onesie and has a big ass." Bennett Foddy, who collaborated on the game with Cuzzillo, thought it would be cute at first but soon found himself liking big butts, citing evidence for this claim. What's interesting about Nate is that he was inspired by Cuzzillo's own personality, particularly his refusal to accept help from others.
The game's philosophy is centered around its protagonist's journey of self-discovery. At the beginning of the game, players are presented with a pathetically incompetent character who refuses to take initiative or ask for help. However, as players progress through the game, they start to identify with Nate and find meaning in his struggles. The game's developers aimed to create a sense of empathy in the player towards Nate, making them realize that he's not just a one-dimensional character but a representation of our own insecurities.
One aspect of Nate's personality that stands out is his misplaced pride. He's a toxic example of masculine stereotypes, often displaying traits like competitiveness and aggression. However, as players progress through the game, they start to see Nate's flaws and understand why he behaves in such a way. This realization is key to the game's message about masculinity.
The game also delves into themes of culture that emerge when people are critically bored. The developers drew inspiration from train spotters like Francis Bourgeois for its unique camera angles. Foddy explains, "We needed something to put on top of stuff." In this case, it was a variety of exotic fruits that Nate loves.
Baby Steps keeps coming back to the idea that you might hate Nate but also find yourself in him. The game's final joke is that there is no true ending; instead, players are left with a sense of disappointment and sadness as they reach the top of the mountain. However, this realization can be seen as a positive one – it's about accepting help and learning to ask for assistance when needed.
Game developer Gabe Cuzzillo feels more confident about Baby Steps in retrospect, especially regarding its protagonist Nate. He says that he now understands the game better after finishing it and sees how it balances being a joke and sincere at the same time.
The Unlikely Hero is indeed a unique gaming experience that challenges our perceptions of masculinity and encourages empathy through its lovable but flawed protagonist Nate.
For me, playing Baby Steps was like going on a horrible hiking holiday with the world's most incompetent loser. The game's protagonist, Nate, is a lovable but pathetic character who refuses to accept help from anyone. As I spent hours guiding him up the mountain, I couldn't help but feel frustrated with his antics, but at the same time, I found myself rooting for him.
Game developer Gabe Cuzzillo shrugs off Nate's appearance in a onesie and big butt, saying "I don't know why he is in a onesie and has a big ass." Bennett Foddy, who collaborated on the game with Cuzzillo, thought it would be cute at first but soon found himself liking big butts, citing evidence for this claim. What's interesting about Nate is that he was inspired by Cuzzillo's own personality, particularly his refusal to accept help from others.
The game's philosophy is centered around its protagonist's journey of self-discovery. At the beginning of the game, players are presented with a pathetically incompetent character who refuses to take initiative or ask for help. However, as players progress through the game, they start to identify with Nate and find meaning in his struggles. The game's developers aimed to create a sense of empathy in the player towards Nate, making them realize that he's not just a one-dimensional character but a representation of our own insecurities.
One aspect of Nate's personality that stands out is his misplaced pride. He's a toxic example of masculine stereotypes, often displaying traits like competitiveness and aggression. However, as players progress through the game, they start to see Nate's flaws and understand why he behaves in such a way. This realization is key to the game's message about masculinity.
The game also delves into themes of culture that emerge when people are critically bored. The developers drew inspiration from train spotters like Francis Bourgeois for its unique camera angles. Foddy explains, "We needed something to put on top of stuff." In this case, it was a variety of exotic fruits that Nate loves.
Baby Steps keeps coming back to the idea that you might hate Nate but also find yourself in him. The game's final joke is that there is no true ending; instead, players are left with a sense of disappointment and sadness as they reach the top of the mountain. However, this realization can be seen as a positive one – it's about accepting help and learning to ask for assistance when needed.
Game developer Gabe Cuzzillo feels more confident about Baby Steps in retrospect, especially regarding its protagonist Nate. He says that he now understands the game better after finishing it and sees how it balances being a joke and sincere at the same time.
The Unlikely Hero is indeed a unique gaming experience that challenges our perceptions of masculinity and encourages empathy through its lovable but flawed protagonist Nate.
. And omg his onesie outfit is just 
. The game's message about masculinity is also super important, I feel like we need more games that tackle those issues. But what really got me was the way it showed how Nate's flaws make him relatable, I mean, who hasn't felt insecure or competitive at some point? 
It's crazy how a game can make you laugh and cry at the same time, right? 
I loved how nate was like the ultimate symbol of insecurity and how u couldnt help but root for him despite all his toxic traits 
the game's message about masculinity is so on point and i think its something we need more of in the gaming industry right now 
baby steps seems like a weird game to me, playing as someone who's literally super incompetent? that sounds super frustrating 
but i guess it's kinda relatable too? the developer's intention is clear: we're supposed to sympathize with nate and his struggles... but can't help but think he's just a big baby 
what i do agree with tho, is how the game tackles toxic masculinity & pride issues. gotta give props for that 
.
Come on, guys, get some facts together! 
.
That's the most ridiculous "inspiration" I've ever heard. And exotic fruits on top of stuff? What even is that? 
It sounds like they just threw some random stuff at the wall and hoped something stuck. No wonder it feels like a joke (which, btw, isn't necessarily a bad thing... but still).
? And omg, the part where Nate has a big butt in a onesie is just ridiculous 
. And omg, the final joke? No true ending = my life rn 
the devs did an amazing job creating this game that's both hilarious and meaningful. 
gotta give it a 10/10 would play again 
. The game's message about masculinity is spot on too - it's not just about being tough all the time, it's about asking for help when you need it 
️. Overall, Baby Steps is a game that'll make you feel all the emotions and leave you thinking about Nate long after the credits roll 
. The game's concept is so relatable, I mean who hasn't struggled with masculinity or felt like they're just winging it? 
. Not bad for a game about a whiny protagonist in a onesie 
.
.
. It's not exactly deep or meaningful. I mean, where's the complexity? The depth of character development? Nope, it's all just "oh look, Nate's got some flaws and we're supposed to be empathetic towards him" 
. It's just a game, folks. You can't seriously expect me to feel all that emo about it 
.
, we both had mixed feelings about Nate's character 
. The devs did a great job of balancing humor and sincerity though