House House, the indie studio best known for Untitled Goose Game, has announced the release date for its next title, Big Walk, during a recent Nintendo Direct. The game is coming to PC, Switch 2, and PlayStation 5 on August 4. According to Engadget, Big Walk is described as "an oddball blend of Peak and Escape Academy," focusing on cooperative exploration and communication.
Release Details and Platforms
Big Walk is developed by House House and published by Panic. It will be available on three platforms at launch:
| Platform | Release Date |
|---|---|
| PC | August 4 |
| Switch 2 | August 4 |
| PS5 | August 4 |
House House previously created the adorably upsetting multiplayer game Push Me Pull You and the wildly popular Untitled Goose Game.
Cooperative Gameplay and Communication Tools
In Big Walk, players and at least one friend wander around a large map, chatting and solving environmental puzzles as they go. The game supports 2 to 12 players at a time. It offers tools like walkie-talkies, megaphones, and laser pointers—which, according to the source, "can be lost or broken" just like in real life.
Communication is central to the experience. Players can use voice or text chat (or wild arm-flailing) to talk with buddies in-game. A key design feature is that communication is spatially restricted. The game's FAQ explains:
"Big Walk's in-game text chat system has the same features and restrictions as the in-game voice chat. So you can play the whole game that way without missing out. For example, your text chat won't be readable when you are far away, or on opposite sides of soundproof glass! And your text chat will work with in-game items like walkie talkies."
This means that distance and obstacles physically affect how players communicate, adding a layer of realism and strategy.
Exploring the Wilderness
Each session begins with the group picking a far-off landmark to head toward. Then players wander through the woods completing challenges, solving escape rooms, taking in the scenery, and just hanging out. The game encourages actual talking and offers little direction, giving players freedom to explore. Engadget notes that the experience has a beginning, middle, and end.
Big Walk is described as more than just walking. It involves finding puzzles to solve, improvising with friends, counting steps, being goofy, and sitting still in warm, silent contemplation. The trailers show a mechanically smooth co-op experience that threads the needle between silly and soothing.
Developer Background
House House is an independent studio based in Melbourne, Australia. Their previous titles include:
- Untitled Goose Game – a stealth puzzle game about a goose
- Push Me Pull You – a multiplayer game about friendship and wrestling
Panic, the publisher, is also known for distributing Firewatch and other acclaimed indie titles.
Big Walk appears to be a unique co-op experience emphasizing organic communication and exploration. Its release on three platforms simultaneously will make it accessible to a wide audience this summer.
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