Early in Big Walk, players may encounter a puzzling structure near the beach, featuring an oblong prize, colloquially termed a 'nubbin,' encased in frosted glass. Above this container, a sign displays two four-digit numbers, hinting at a puzzle that requires a specific action to resolve. Accessing the nubbin is contingent on a companion holding down a button at a nearby location, but the meaning of the numbers and the location of this crucial button can be elusive.
Hints for the Number Puzzle
For those wishing to uncover the solution gradually, several hints are available. The puzzle is intentionally designed to be unsolvable upon initial discovery, shortly after completing the tutorial. Players are advised to return to it later, after completing approximately five other puzzles and the red tower. As players explore the world, they should keep the two four-digit numbers in mind, recognizing their potential significance. Further investigation reveals that a specific item is necessary to interpret these numbers, with two distinct items capable of aiding in the puzzle's resolution.
The Solution to the Number Puzzle
One method to solve the puzzle involves using a map. This map becomes accessible after players place five nubbins on the roof of the red tower. A map room, located near the starting hub, then opens, revealing a large map on the floor and a portable map with a compass. The numbers on the sign, 4166 and 1899, represent coordinates. Using the map, players can locate the button by aligning with the longitude line 41 and latitude line 18. The "66" in 4166 indicates a precise measurement within the grid square, signifying approximately two-thirds of the way south from the top of the grid. Similarly, "99" in 1899 denotes being almost as far east as possible within that grid, along the gridline. This coordinate points to a location east and south of the starter hub, where a small button is camouflaged behind a rock. Once found, one player must hold the button while another retrieves the nubbin from the prize container when it opens.
The alternative and perhaps more engaging method to find the button involves a GPS device. This item is found after visiting the green tower, located in the same area as the button. Just outside the green tower, players will find the GPS device within a red frame. This device displays current coordinates on a screen. By having one player wear the GPS on their backpack, another player can guide them using the coordinate readouts to determine if they are moving closer to or further from the button's location. This approach encourages direct communication and navigation.
Players are encouraged to have walkie-talkies for coordination, especially when one player needs to hold the button while another collects the prize. Successfully solving this early-game puzzle rewards players with a 'nubbin' and unlocks access to a significant area or item.