The single most important upgrade to your co-op experience in Big Walk is finding the tools that let you break free from proximity chat. The key items are the backpack, for hands-free carrying, and the walkie-talkies, for long-distance communication. You can find the backpack in a small shelter just down the stairs from the central tower where you first discover the laser pointer and binoculars. The first couple of walkie-talkies are a bit more spread out, with one located near a green puzzle structure and another further down by the blue train line.
Getting these items early completely changes how you can approach the game's sprawling world. Instead of being tethered to your partners, you can split up, coordinate on complex puzzles from afar, and explore with confidence. This guide will walk you through the precise locations and why they're so essential.
How do you get the backpack?
The backpack is one of the first major utility items you can find, and it’s thankfully not hidden behind a complex puzzle. Its function is simple but crucial: it allows a player to carry one item—like a flashlight, orb, or walkie-talkie—on their back, freeing up their hands to carry something else or interact with the environment. This is invaluable for becoming a mobile light source or a dedicated communications officer for your team.
Step 1: Head to the central lookout tower
Your journey starts at the tall structure that serves as a sort of hub early in the game. This is the same place where you find the laser pointer and binoculars, tools designed for long-range scouting. This tower provides a great vantage point of the surrounding area and is a natural landmark to return to. From the top platform where the optical tools are, look for a set of stairs leading down the side of the cliff or hill.
Step 2: Descend the stairs and find the shelter
Follow the stairs down. It's a fairly direct path. As you descend, you will see a small, open-sided structure or shelter built into the landscape. It's easy to spot. Inside this shelter, sitting on a small pedestal, you will find the backpack. Simply walk up to it and interact to equip it. One player will get an achievement for wearing it, and you can easily pass it to another player if needed. Once equipped, another player can place an item onto your back.
Big Walk in-game screenshot
Where are the walkie-talkies located?
While the backpack is a solo find, the walkie-talkies are a set. You'll need at least two to make communication possible. Finding them allows your team to split into pairs and cover much more ground without getting permanently lost. Since the game's default voice chat fades dramatically with distance, these radios are your only lifeline for coordinating across the map.
The First Walkie-Talkie: The Green Structure
One of the first walkie-talkies can be found near a distinct green building. As you explore away from the central tower and beach area, you'll eventually come across this structure. The walkie-talkie is often sitting on the ground right near the entrance to the building, which itself contains a cooperative puzzle. You can grab it before or after solving the interior puzzle. This is a great first step, but a single radio is only half the solution.
Big Walk in-game screenshot
The Second Walkie-Talkie: The Blue Rail Line
To complete the set, you'll need to venture further. Following the paths down into the valleys and forests will eventually lead you to a prominent blue structure that is part of a train or rail system. This area is a significant landmark. Exploring near these tracks, often by sliding down a sandy slope, will reveal the second walkie-talkie. It’s typically found sitting out in the open, waiting to be collected. Once you have two, you can hand one to a partner, and as long as you're on the same channel, you can speak to each other from anywhere on the island.
Why are these items so important for co-op?
Big Walk is built entirely around cooperative physics and exploration, but its most punishing mechanic is the limited range of voice communication. It forces a level of intimacy and coordination that can quickly fall apart the moment one person wanders off. The backpack and walkie-talkies are the direct counter to this core challenge.
With a backpack, one player can carry a walkie-talkie and keep their hands free, acting as a mobile relay for the group. Another player can equip a flashlight in their backpack, illuminating a cave for everyone while still being able to carry a puzzle piece. This division of labor is key.
The walkie-talkies fundamentally break the proximity tether. A team of four can now split into two pairs and tackle separate objectives simultaneously. One pair can work on a puzzle near the train station while another heads back to the main tower to use the laser pointer, coordinating their actions in real-time over the radio. This transforms the game from a chaotic huddle into a strategic, multi-front expedition.
Big Walk in-game screenshot
What other tools should we look for?
While the backpack and radios are essential for logistics, don't forget the tools that enable that long-range coordination in the first place. The laser pointer and binoculars, found at the top of the central tower near where the backpack quest begins, are just as vital.
- Laser Pointer: Allows one player to aim a bright, visible dot at distant objects. This is perfect for guiding a teammate who is far away, pointing out hidden buttons, puzzle elements, or the correct path through a maze. When one player has the pointer and another has a walkie-talkie, they become an effective guide/explorer duo.
- Binoculars: These function as you'd expect, letting you scout distant landmarks and potential points of interest without having to trek all the way over there. This is crucial for planning your next move as a group and deciding where to commit your time.
Pairing these scouting tools with your newfound communication gear is the key to mastering the world of Big Walk.
The takeaway
Don't sleep on finding the backpack and walkie-talkies. While it's tempting to immediately run off and explore the first interesting thing you see, taking a few minutes to secure this essential equipment will pay massive dividends. It elevates the gameplay from a group of friends trying not to lose each other into a well-oiled machine capable of solving the island's most complex and widespread puzzles with teamwork and clear communication.