The distinctive walking simulator, Baby Steps, is already renowned for its challenging mechanics. Yet, the game harbors an additional, remarkably amusing surprise designed to irk players who habitually rush through story content.
Those who frequently skip cinematics in the quirky and unconventional Baby Steps will eventually unlock a secret, approximately 28-minute-long cutscene. This extended sequence is filled with meta-humor and a series of wide-ranging, often random, conversational topics, serving as a unique form of “reward” or subtle penalty.
Developed by Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch, known for Ape Out, alongside Bennett Foddy, the creator of QWOP, Baby Steps actively discourages players from bypassing its story cutscenes. Each attempt to skip a scene triggers a minigame, which progressively increases in complexity with subsequent skips.
Reportedly, to activate this lengthy, dialogue-heavy cutscene at the game`s conclusion, players must skip around 30 earlier cinematics.
In this hidden ending, the protagonist Nate, voiced by Cuzzillo, arrives at the cabin of Moose, a hybrid character voiced by Foddy. Nate then humorously breaks the fourth wall, directly addressing the player`s tendency to skip cutscenes, thus initiating a prolonged and diverse conversation.
The dialogue effortlessly shifts between a multitude of subjects, from discussions about Naughty Dog`s upcoming games to their favorite fictional clowns. Throughout this exchange, Cuzzillo and Foddy deliver playful jabs at cutscene skippers, jokingly suggesting that even this particularly long scene might be bypassed.
While the role of non-interactive cinematics in an otherwise highly interactive entertainment medium has always been a subject of debate, this particular extended sequence feels like Cuzzillo and Foddy`s playful way of showcasing their voice work and gently prodding players for potentially missing out, all in good fun.
Baby Steps is currently available on PlayStation 5 and PC, and it is also verified for play on the Steam Deck. Players are well-advised to think twice before skipping any cutscenes in this engaging title.