Big Walk Towers

Towers replace traditional leveling

There is no XP bar or gear tier in Big Walk. Big Walk towers *are* the campaign — finishing all four colors plus late-game beats is how groups reach the hand-crafted ending. Optional ridges and paint studios sit beside the spine; if a gate will not open, the game is almost always asking for more red progress, not a hidden level requirement.

Infrastructure rewards are navigation tools

Each tower color pays out something you will use for the rest of the save: a 3D map, a ski lift, a train, or tunnels with color-coded exits near other towers. When the game gives you a new ride, ride it once together before anyone scouts alone — those unlocks teach orientation faster than shouting compass directions.

The red objects that feed consoles are the next piece of the loop — how many you need and where they come from.

Party progress, not personal loot

Red collectibles count for the whole session. If someone stashes gourds in a belt holster or backpack and forgets to deposit, the console looks broken for everyone. Assign a quartermaster on busy nights — one player tracks how many gourds are in bags versus already submitted.

Key-cutting is a group hike

Cutting stations are spread around each tower's mountain on purpose. Follow the arrow pillars in order; skipping one leaves the key physically too large for the final lock. Split roles: one carrier for the key, one caller reading arrow directions, one scout spotting the next cutter on a distant boulder.

Once you know the six-step loop, the natural question is what each color actually unlocks on the island.

Map room is the MVP unlock

Whatever color your save labels the early map key, prioritize the map room as soon as it opens. The large chart tracks progress markers, backpack buildings, and other tower colors. Community consensus: unlock the map before serious exploration.

Lift, train, and tunnels

After keys land, ride the ski lift / chairlift and train, and enter a qualifying tunnel — those actions are what Steam achievements check, not merely powering the station. Treat the train as a scenic bus (slow, one direction), not a teleport menu.

Cosmetic side rooms (metallic paint for Big Makeover) often sit near underground content — scan side doors while the group holds an exit rather than treating a "nightclub" name as an official landmark.

Order still matters for pacing even when any sequence works — next section covers squad priorities.

Dealer's choice after the map

Launch-week community routes disagree on train vs lift second — both are valid. Prefer the lift if your group hates cliffs; prefer the train if you want a scenic taxi. Neither blocks story progress as long as you eventually clear all four colors.

When to detour for tools

If a tower room expects binoculars, walkies, or laser pointers, pause the tower chain and pull pickups from the tools and items guide. Tower consoles do not check your inventory — but the puzzles feeding gourds often do.

Headcount changes how those puzzle rooms feel even when unlock rewards stay the same — covered below.

Same unlocks, different climbs

Official guidance: choose the version for the smallest number of friends you expect reliably. A 4+ save with two friends online still works, but tower-adjacent relay rooms feel empty. A 2-player save with eight friends can feel cramped — bodies block sightlines on narrow tower stairs.

Crossplay headcount planning

Steam, PS5, and Switch 2 players can mix in one tower run — see the multiplayer guide for invites. Voice-restricted tower puzzles need in-game proximity chat or walkies; verify mics on the tutorial beach before anyone climbs out of range.

When a console still will not budge, use the stuck-tower checklist next instead of restarting the save.

Sweep beaches before blaming the tower

Missed red gourds on the ground near a finished puzzle are the top stall cause. Send one scout with binoculars along the color plateau shoreline while others hold the console line-of-sight. The map room (after red tower) makes this sweep faster — another reason to prioritize red.

When to open the puzzles guide

This page stays spoiler-light on individual room layouts. For relay types, mute segments, and whiteboard copy habits without full solutions, continue to the puzzles guide. For milestone order between towers, pair with the walkthrough.