Big Walk

Can You Play Big Walk Solo or Couch Co-op?

Big Walk has no solo mode and no couch co-op, local, or split-screen support on any platform. Here is exactly why that is, what players are doing instead, and how to find partners online.

No solo No couch co-op Online only 2-12 players

The short answer

No solo, no couch co-op, no split-screen

Big Walk is an online-only co-op game. You cannot make meaningful progress solo, and there is no local multiplayer, couch co-op, or split-screen on any platform (PC, PS5, Switch 2). Every player needs their own device and a copy of the game.

Why these modes do not exist

The two hard limitations

Solo does not work

You can launch a session alone and walk around the island, but progress stalls almost immediately. Puzzles require cooperation: holding buttons while others interact, flipping simultaneous switches, combining observations that only one person can see or hear. Players describe solo attempts as "slow progress," "masochistic," or pointless beyond sightseeing. The game was designed from the ground up around asymmetric information sharing between separate players.

Couch co-op breaks the design

Even with multiple controllers on the same PS5, Switch 2, or PC, local multiplayer does not work. The game relies on proximity voice chat as a core mechanic: you can only hear teammates near you in-game. If you are in the same physical room, you hear each other in real life, which completely bypasses the intended communication challenges. Playing in the same room is actively discouraged by the community for this reason.

There is also no random matchmaking. No public lobbies, no auto-fill. You must play with people you already know or recruit partners yourself through community channels.

What to do instead

Find online partners and start playing

1Accept you need at least one other person. Ideally 2-4 for standard puzzle scaling; up to 12 for chaos. The host chooses a 2-player, 3-player, or 4+ world version when starting, which slightly changes puzzle layouts. Progress saves stay with the host, so stick with the same group across sessions.
2Go to the Big Walk community Looking for Group megathread. It is updated regularly. Players post their join code, platform, language preference, and whether they are starting fresh or mid-game. This is the fastest way to find partners right now.
3Post on X with "need friends for Big Walk" or "LFG Big Walk" plus your platform and preferred group size. Many players are doing exactly this and finding groups within minutes.
4Check community Discord servers that players share in the community megathread or via DMs. Public link spam is restricted, so ask privately. Some players have set up dedicated LFG servers specifically because so many people lack offline friends who own the game.
5Host or join a session. Host: Launch, choose voice settings, Host Game, note the join code, share it. Joiner (same platform): Main menu, Join Game, Friends List. Joiner (crossplay or no friends list): Main menu, Join Game, enter the code. Crossplay works across Steam (PC/Mac), PS5, and Switch 2.

Key decisions

Choices that shape your experience

Same room vs. separate rooms

Choose separate rooms, or use headsets with in-game proximity chat only. Same-room audio ruins the communication puzzle design.

Group size

2 players is playable but limited. 3-4 is the sweet spot most recommend for full puzzle coverage without chaos. Larger groups are fun socially but can get messy.

Save management

Always play with the same host if you care about continuing the same world. Switching hosts means starting over.

Voice chat tool

Use in-game proximity chat, not external Discord. External voice undercuts the intended experience and removes the core gameplay tension.

Avoid these

Common mistakes players make

!Buying assuming solo or couch play is possible. Many refund requests stem from this exact assumption. Check the mode requirements before purchasing.
!Trying to force solo progress past the first few areas. The puzzles are not designed to be solvable alone and will not progress.
!Using external voice chat (Discord) instead of in-game proximity tools. It undercuts the intended experience and removes the core gameplay loop.
!Starting with a random large group without coordinating who hosts and saves. You will lose progress if the host leaves.
!Expecting matchmaking or public lobbies. They do not exist. You must bring your own partners.