Indie game beats Forza 6: Why this new co-op ranks so high on Metacritic

Sometimes an indie game seemingly comes out of nowhere and becomes a surprise hit within a matter of days. The latest example is Big Walk - a co-op game that stands out from the crowd thanks to its unusual focus on communication. Shortly after release, the title briefly topped Metacritic's list of the highest-rated games of the year with a Metascore of 93, putting it ahead of Forza Horizon 6 and Mina the Hollower, among others. More reviews have since been added, causing its Metacritic score to dip slightly to 92. That currently puts Big Walk in second place behind Sektori.

Big Walk is a cooperative adventure for two to twelve players that puts them in the bodies of fantastical creatures and sends them off to explore a vast island. The group searches for paths through the landscape, discovers new locations and solves various puzzles and obstacle courses. The game features a connected campaign with a definitive ending. There is no traditional combat or complex progression system. Visually, Big Walk uses fairly detailed 3D graphics. So the question is: Why is the game being received so well?

Communication is key

One of the main reasons Big Walk is being received so well is that it doesn't merely require cooperation - it makes communication between players its most important mechanic. At the heart of the game is proximity-based voice chat. Voices become quieter as players move farther apart and sound muffled through walls. Over longer distances, communication is only possible via walkie-talkies.

Players have to exchange information, explain routes to one another or work out solutions even when not everyone in the group can see the same things. According to reviews, this regularly leads to funny and unpredictable situations that make every session feel unique. Incidentally, Big Walk comes from House House - the developers behind Untitled Goose Game, which enjoyed a similarly successful launch in 2020. The studio's reputation likely also contributed to the strong start of its new co-op game.

At the time of writing, Big Walk had already received around 9,700 Steam reviews with an exceptionally strong average of 92% positive. Players praise the excellent co-op experience and creative puzzles. Most of the criticism focuses on technical issues, some of which also affect the voice chat. Some players are also disappointed that the game doesn't offer a single-player mode.

Currently still 25% off at launch

Big Walk normally costs around $20. Anyone interested in checking it out can still get the game with a 25% launch discount until August 18, bringing the price down to $14.99. The co-op game is also Steam Deck Verified, making it an interesting option for gaming on the go. An internet connection is required to play, however.