Big Walk gives you a lot of tools to work with across a sprawling island full of puzzles, and knowing what each one does before you need it saves a lot of backtracking. Some items are practically mandatory from the start. Others only matter in specific situations. This guide covers all of them, what they do, and when you actually want one in your hands.
What are the inventory tools in Big Walk?
Carrying items in Big Walk is more restrictive than you might expect. By default, each player can hold one item at a time. Two tools change that.
The Waist Bag gives you a second slot, but it only fits smaller items like Radios and Walkie-Talkies. Think of it as a dedicated pocket for communication gear rather than a general overflow slot. It helps, but it does not replace a proper carry upgrade.
The Backpack is the real solution. It adds a full extra item slot that accepts any item regardless of size or shape, so you can carry two tools at once without restriction. If you want to know exactly where to find one, the Big Walk backpack guide walks through every location and what the Big Pack achievement requires.
Which communication tools matter most?
Coordinating across a large map with up to 12 players is where Big Walk gets genuinely tricky, and the communication tools are what hold a group together.
The Walkie-Talkie is the most important item in this category. It lets you talk to teammates regardless of how far apart you are, which matters a lot once the group splits up across different puzzle zones. Without one, you are limited to shouting distance.
The Flare Gun solves a different problem: if someone gets lost or separated, firing a flare marks your approximate position on the map for the rest of the group. It is not a navigation tool in the traditional sense, but it is a fast rescue signal.
The Paintbrush lets you draw markings directly on the ground and paint surfaces, which is useful for leaving directional cues or puzzle notes for teammates who arrive at a location after you.
The Laser Pointer is the simplest of the four. Point it to indicate a direction to nearby teammates. Less useful at range than the Walkie-Talkie, but handy for quick, silent coordination when you are standing next to someone.
Big Walk Guide: All Tools & How to Use Them
How do navigation tools work in Big Walk?
Getting around the island without losing your bearings is harder than it looks, especially in a large group. Three tools help with this.
The Map comes in two versions. There is a large static map located in the map room, and a separate foldable version you can carry. The foldable map is the more useful of the two because it lets you pinpoint specific puzzle locations while you are out in the field. If you need help finding both versions, the Big Walk map guide covers the red tower, the key cutting step, and exactly where each map turns up.
The Compass shows cardinal directions as you move, which sounds basic but becomes genuinely useful when you are calling out positions to teammates over a Walkie-Talkie. "Head north from the tower" is a lot clearer than "go the way I went."
The Binoculars let you zoom in on distant areas to spot puzzle locations before you walk to them. Useful for scouting without committing to a long trek across the map.
What are the puzzle tools and when do you need them?
Several tools exist specifically to interact with the island's puzzle systems. These are not general-use items, but when a puzzle requires one, nothing else substitutes.
The Key Cutter shapes raw keys into usable forms for the Tower Challenges. There are four towers on the island: Red, Yellow, Blue, and Drawbridge. Each one requires a correctly cut key to complete. The Key Cutter is not optional for progression.
The Sound Shrine is an interactive puzzle object rather than a carried item. Walk in circles around it to change its pitch, which is how you solve the audio-based puzzles tied to it.
The Telescope works similarly to the Binoculars but adds a useful extra function: it lights up distant targets and puzzle items, making them easier to locate on the map after you spot them through the lens.
The Ball Lamp does not directly solve any puzzle, but it lights your path in the dark. Attempting puzzle work at night without one is genuinely unpleasant. Treat it as mandatory equipment for any nighttime exploration.
Key Cutter required for towers
Full tool reference table
For more on how the carry system ties into achievements and co-op strategy, the Big Walk belt guide covers the Waist Bag in more detail alongside the Big Help unlock. The full Big Walk guides collection has everything else you need to work through the island.