7 Years Ago, an Award-Winning Game Set the Stage for 2026’s Latest Masterpiece

Big Walk is an extraordinary achievement. Since its debut last week, watching social media overflow with clips of players collaborating and cutting loose in this cooperative puzzle adventure has been an absolute joy. It invariably brings a smile to my face, highlighting the exceptional artistry of developer House House. From the delightfully quirky character models and vibrant, playground-inspired color palette to the clever mechanics, every element converges into an unforgettable cooperative journey that lingers in your thoughts long after the credits roll.

While it might seem to have arrived out of nowhere, astute observers of the 2019 indie landscape will recognize that Big Walk was years in the making. Its foundational design philosophy is deeply rooted in House House’s breakthrough hit, Untitled Goose Game. For those who missed it or haven’t revisited it recently, that modern classic is currently available through PlayStation Plus Extra—a convenient perk for anyone currently diving into Big Walk via the same service. It is well worth revisiting, if only to observe the striking lineage connecting the studio’s projects despite their distinct surface appearances.

Untitled Goose Game resists easy categorization, occupying a unique space between stealth mechanics and environmental puzzles without neatly fitting into either box. Players assume the mantle of an unapologetic avian menace determined to disrupt a tranquil English village through petty theft, strategic honking, and pure mischief. Despite its seemingly absurd premise, the title emerged as a cultural phenomenon in 2019, rightfully claiming Game of the Year accolades at both the DICE Awards and the Game Developers Choice Awards. It stands as a masterclass in creative ingenuity, proving that the medium still holds vast reservoirs of unexplored ideas.

Reflecting on that breakout hit reveals three distinct pillars that carry directly into Big Walk. The most prominent is character animation. The premise succeeds largely because House House invested heavily in giving their feathered protagonist a grounded yet expressive physicality. Nuanced details—such as the comical wag of the goose’s tailfeathers as it waddles across the screen—infuse the digital bird with immense personality.

That same mastery is evident throughout Big Walk. Its inhabitants might be stylized figures with rounded hands and cylindrical beaks, yet they convey as much emotional depth as fully rendered protagonists in high-budget cinematic epics. Their exaggerated, flailing limbs and animated expressions make these fictional avatars feel remarkably lifelike. It represents a brilliant, organic evolution of the studio’s signature animation style.

Another standout element shared by both titles is exceptional sound design. Big Walk particularly shines through its atmospheric field recordings and subtle auditory cues, such as the rhythmic patter of footsteps and the satisfying click of a flashlight. This dedication to acoustic immersion was just as vital in Untitled Goose Game, where mundane audio details—like webbed feet slapping against pavement or water hissing from a garden sprinkler—breathed life into the environment. Naturally, the iconic honk remains the undisputed star, providing a brilliantly versatile audio weapon that truly makes you feel like an unruly bird.

While veteran players will fondly recall these traits from 2019, some may have overlooked how House House subsequently refined its multiplayer mechanics within that same framework. A cooperative update rolled out in September 2020 allowed a pair of players to coordinate their chaos together, effectively laying the foundational groundwork for Big Walk. Interspersing bite-sized collaborative challenges amid sandbox experimentation, that update serves as a brilliant companion piece for anyone eager to extend their adventure.

Uncovering the connective tissue between a developer’s past works and their latest creations is always deeply rewarding. Replaying Untitled Goose Game in light of recent releases highlights the exquisite craftsmanship driving Big Walk forward, further cementing House House’s status among the industry’s premier independent talents.

The co-op game is currently the best reviewed new release of 2026

Source: Polygon