Proximity Voice
Big Walk uses proximity voice: your real microphone voice is loud when teammates are close and fades with distance, echoing down corridors and dropping off across the map. That distance falloff is a mechanic, not a bug — puzzles are designed so you sometimes can't hear each other and have to bridge the gap.
The Walkie-Talkie
The walkie-talkie item keeps separated teammates in contact: when you're too far for normal proximity voice, it crackles your voice across the island. It's the single most important tool for split-group puzzles. Pair it with the rest of the gadget set on the items & tools page.
No Text Chat
Big Walk has no text chat — communication is voice-only by design. That keeps the "talking is the point" feel, but it also means a working mic matters more here than in most co-op games. See crossplay for how voice behaves across Steam, PS5 and Switch 2.
Co-Op Voice Tips
- Call out landmarks, not coordinates — "the red tower side" beats "grid B4".
- Use the walkie-talkie the moment a teammate drifts out of earshot.
- Embrace the silence in purple challenges, where no-talking is the rule — plan with gestures first.
- Mind the room if playing locally: it's online co-op, not split-screen (see couch co-op).
Accessibility & Alternatives
Voice-only can be a barrier for some players. Where the game allows, use in-game emotes or gestures to signal, and consider a secondary voice channel (a party/Discord call) if your group prefers it — though that bypasses the intentional proximity falloff. For input and mic settings, see the controls page.