Dive into the Chill Vibes of Big Walk: The Co-Op Puzzle Game You Need to Try
So, I recently took a dive into the co-op puzzle game Big Walk, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! I initially tried it out solo with some random players a few months back, but nothing beats enjoying it with friends. In just two lengthy play sessions with my pals Tyler and Morgan, we tackled over a dozen puzzles, shared endless laughs, and did more walking than I ever thought possible!
This isn’t going to be a full-on review, but after around six hours of gameplay, we’ve plowed through a hefty chunk of puzzles, and there’s still a whole lot of the island left for us to explore. I can’t wait to jump back in for more adventures!
The game kicks off with a simple tutorial where you learn the ropes by following a few signs. Once you’re ready, you step into a vast island filled with forests, rivers, rocks, and eye-catching puzzle structures waiting to be conquered. Each puzzle rewards you with a quirky little item I like to call a “nubbin”—even though it doesn’t have an official name. The more nubbins you gather, the deeper into the island you can venture.
Now, the puzzles themselves aren’t super tricky, but the real challenge lies in collaborating with your teammates. You can’t solve any puzzle alone; at least two players are needed, and if you’re playing with four, you’ll face puzzles designed for larger teams. For instance, if a two-player puzzle requires both players to press buttons simultaneously, the four-player version will have four buttons! Staying close to your team is crucial, as the game uses proximity chat. Stray too far, and you’ll find yourself straining to hear your friends, and go a bit further, and they might as well be on another planet!
Communication can get creative in this game. You can point, wave, or even use found items like walkie-talkies and flashlights to get your message across. However, you can carry only one item at a time until you discover helpful accessories like backpacks. If you stumble, you might drop your item, sending it rolling away into the wilderness. And if you find something new, well, goodbye to whatever you were holding onto!
What makes Big Walk so fun is how laid-back it is. Little mishaps become comical rather than frustrating. You won’t encounter any jump scares or monsters lurking around; the worst that can happen is someone taking a tumble or misplacing an item. It’s all about improvising and rolling with the punches as you navigate this beautiful, serene world.
One of my favorite moments was when we had to work on a puzzle while separated by soundproof glass. Without walkie-talkies, I had to signal Tyler and Morgan to perform actions using gestures. After a few unsuccessful attempts at pointing, we settled on a system of arm movements that worked better. Just when we thought we were making progress, the sun set, plunging the game into realistic darkness. I had painted myself green, which turned out to be a bit of a problem since I started blending into the background!
As they couldn’t see my signals due to the low light and the soundproof barrier, I had to resort to pounding on the glass to get their attention! It was all in good fun, and when we finally solved the puzzle on our third attempt, we couldn’t stop laughing.
Progress in Big Walk is super satisfying. Each new area reveals fresh vistas of the island along with more puzzles, driving you to explore further. It’s like a cozy version of Myst or The Witness—plenty of mysteries to solve without the frustration, and with your friends by your side to help!
Before you jump into this adventure, here’s a tip: avoid using Discord for voice chat while playing. Stick to the in-game proximity chat. I know many games are still enjoyable over Discord, but Big Walk is designed to be experienced with its own chat system. Hearing your friends no matter where they are takes away from the challenge and the creative problem-solving that makes the game enjoyable. The in-game voice chat is high quality, complete with noise cancellation and a mute button to help manage the chaos!
So, take your time in Big Walk. The quicker you solve puzzles, the sooner you finish the game, and trust me, you won’t want to rush through this laid-back experience. Get ready to enjoy this peaceful adventure when it releases on August 4!