I've been using my step with walking workouts. The pace is usually good and I can do my own choreography, basically up up, down down with variations. It's important to change leads and get a little creative at times to make it work. Sometimes I hold light dumbbells. In a half hour, that's a lot of leg presses.
I think basic step can be harder because you're constantly stepping. The more advanced workouts have moves like mambos, stomps and shuffles that don't require lifting your body weight. Basic stepping can be boring, but you can't cheat
I did a Kathy Kaehler basic step workout. Real easy choreography, like a class from the 90's. I was more tired from that than from some of the "advanced" workouts I have, probably because of the continuous stepping.