Shuhei Yoshida Picks Most Anticipated Indie Game of 2025

A Track Record of Success

When it comes to indie games, arguably no one knows them better than Shuhei Yoshida, the former Head of the Indies Initiative at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Yoshida has had the pleasure of spending some quality time with dozens of indie games before they even launch, after which he has been known to make predictions about which of those games will rise to success. In many cases, he has been right, with his predictions regarding the success and popularity of Blue Prince and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 being his most recent. Now, the icon has revealed yet another indie title that is his currently most anticipated.

The Appeal of the Absurd

Gamestanza recently interviewed Shuhei Yoshida at Gamescom Latam in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he briefly touched on his most anticipated video games slated for launch this year. Among those was Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Yotei, which Yoshida had already disclosed his opinions about to the public beforehand. However, Yoshida also revealed that his most anticipated indie title, now that Blue Prince and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are behind him, is, quite surprisingly, Baby Steps.

Baby Steps, developed by the creative trio behind Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, Ape Out, and Stick it to the Stickman, has been dubbed a “literal walking simulator” in the most absurd and brilliant way possible. Players control a 35-year-old slacker named Nate who, after being mysteriously transported out of his basement, finds himself in a strange mountaintop wilderness. With no clue of where to go or how to survive, he is forced to do something he has never done before — learn to walk.

Every leg movement, every foot placement, and every stumble is fully physics-based, making any progress players make both challenging and frequently hilarious. Unlike most games where walking is as easy as it is in real life, Baby Steps turns it into a core mechanic of gameplay. Players use the analog sticks and triggers to manually control Nate’s legs, meaning that even walking up a hill can be a dangerous feat. The game has no combat, no inventory, and no leveling up. The challenge is simply staying upright for the long haul.

With its dry humor, minimalistic visuals, and relaxing open world, Baby Steps calls for its players to embrace failure and turns it into comedy, making it ripe for some hilarious gaming moments. Yoshida’s choice highlights his preference for unique and innovative indie experiences that push the boundaries of traditional gameplay. He has a proven track record of spotting hidden gems, and Baby Steps certainly fits the bill.

Streamers Take Notice

While it might not be the kind of indie game people expect to steal the spotlight, Baby Steps could very well be the sleeper hit of 2025. If Yoshida’s track record is any indication, it’s a game worth keeping an eye on, not because it’s fast-paced or flashy, but simply because of the humor and joy it has found in the simplest act of putting one foot in front of the other. The game’s inherent comedic nature and the potential for hilarious fails make it a prime candidate for streaming success.

Yoshida himself commented on this, stating: “From an indie standpoint, my most anticipated game is called ‘Baby Steps.’ It’s so funny. You might have seen the trailer. Learning to walk is a challenge, but when you start getting used to walking up a hill, you make one mistake and slide down, back to where you started. It’s really really funny. The game will be super popular with the streamers because it’s really funny for people to fail in that game.”

Breaking the Mold

Baby Steps defies genre expectations and carves its own niche in the gaming landscape. It’s not an action game, it’s not an RPG, and it certainly doesn’t fit neatly into any existing category. This unconventional approach is precisely what makes it so intriguing.

Accessibility and Replayability

The game’s simple mechanics are accessible to players of all skill levels. Even those who aren’t typically drawn to challenging or complex games can find enjoyment in the basic act of trying to navigate Nate through the world.

And because the game is so physics-based, no two playthroughs are ever the same. Every stumble, every slip, and every triumph is unique, leading to high replayability and a constantly evolving sense of humor

Embracing Failure

Baby Steps’ core mechanic revolves around the inevitability of failure. Nate is constantly slipping, stumbling, and falling, but these setbacks are never presented as frustrating roadblocks. Instead, they are woven into the fabric of the gameplay experience, creating moments of both amusement and genuine satisfaction when he manages to overcome them.

This emphasis on failure as a learning experience is a refreshing change of pace in a gaming landscape often obsessed with perfection and achievement.