Split Fiction, the latest creation from Hazelight Studios, invites players to delve into an enthralling co-op adventure full of engaging gameplay and creative storytelling. Whether you’re navigating through the primary narrative or exploring the rich tapestry of side quests, you and your co-op partner are bound to find hours of entertainment woven into this captivating experience.
Among the myriad features of Split Fiction are its cleverly hidden easter eggs, which offer references to beloved moments across pop culture, iconic characters, and legendary video games. Below is a curated collection of some of the most intriguing easter eggs we’ve uncovered throughout our journey. This isn’t an exhaustive list, so please share your favorites that we may have missed!
10 Metroid-Inspired Level
With a Dash of Tron and Contra
As players venture through the sci-fi realm of the Final Dawn chapter, a significant side-scrolling segment reminiscent of the Metroid franchise emerges. Mio and Zoe find themselves trapped in a section that exquisitely blends elements from both Metroid and classic side-scrolling shooters like Contra.
Mio’s striking red attire mirrors Samus Aran’s iconic suit, while Zoe’s blue garb draws inspiration from the Zero Suit. These designs evoke memories of the original Tron film as well. The combination of vibrant colors, platforming thrills, and sci-fi shooting dynamics instantly transported me back to my childhood gaming sessions with Metroid.
9 Donkey Kong-Inspired Level
Old School Viny Primate Platforming
In the Hopes of Spring chapter, another homage appears where Mio transforms into a gorilla, reminiscent of Donkey Kong. During this section, players must swing from various vines and leap into flowers that catapult them forward, activating waves of nostalgia straight from the classic platformer.
The joy of bouncing from vine to vine reminded me of my joyful youth, reigniting the mesmerizing spirit of old-school gaming.
8 Trophy/Achievement Names
Various Achievements Make Nods to Popular Culture
During your adventure, players can achieve a total of twenty trophies, many cleverly alluding to well-known pieces of popular culture. Almost half contain delightful references to other franchises, enriching the overall experience.
- Sisters: A Tale of Two Besties pays homage to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
- It Took Two is a nod to It Takes Two.
- Huffing and Puffing references the children’s tale The Three Little Pigs, involving a brick house demolition.
- The Cake is Not A Lie draws from the popular phrase “The cake is a lie”from Portal, leading to a secret room using portals.
- Are We The Baddies is a playful nod to a well-known line from That Mitchell & Webb Look.
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Snaaaaaaaaake pays homage to Metal Gear Solid, featuring Zoe hiding in a cardboard box.
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We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat references the iconic film Jaws, showcasing an unexpected great white shark encounter.
7 Howl’s Moving Castle
An Ode to Studio Ghibli
Within the Moon Market side story in the Final Dawn chapter, players can spot hidden references to beloved franchises like Howl’s Moving Castle. Upon searching for kittens, you’ll encounter a moving abode on chicken legs, echoing the whimsical essence of the film.
As soon as I laid eyes on it, my friend excitedly identified the reference, making our discovery all the more enjoyable. The concept of a giant, mobile castle is a playful nod that is too notable to overlook!
6 Rose’s Elephant from It Takes Two
This Pachyderm Just Can’t Catch A Break
As players explore the Neon Revenge chapter, they will likely spot an elephant that fans of It Takes Two will immediately recognize. This creature is Rose’s beloved friend, and its significance is amplified once Zoe destroys it with a whip, unlocking the trophy “Rose’s Best Friend.”
Beware! Players who have previously journeyed through It Takes Two may earn a judgmental gaze from their partners after this act!
5 Dark Souls Bonfire
Take a Rest While Catching Cats
Another memorable easter egg within the Moon Market is a bonfire that pays tribute to the Dark Souls series. Here, amidst the quest to find lost kittens, players come across a bonfire reminiscent of the crucial checkpoints in this influential gaming franchise.
Seeing this easter egg flooded me with excitement, connecting us back to a genre-defining series that shaped countless gaming experiences.
4 Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Setting
The Legend of the Sandfish Finds Its Roots in Persia
The first side story encountered during the Neon Revenge adventure—The Legend of the Sandfish—brims with subtle homages to the Prince of Persia series. Zoe and Mio’s dialogue reveals their journey through the “Sands of Time, ” aptly named after one of the franchise’s most renowned titles.
As we progressed, I kept reiterating to my friend how this narrative was inspired by Sands of Time, especially upon hearing that iconic line. Moreover, Zoe and Mio’s actions of thumping the ground to draw the sandfish mimic a significant element from Dune.
3 Josef Fares Talking Over the Radio
Hazelight’s Director Makes an Appearance in Neon Revenge
A particularly subtle yet fascinating easter egg features Josef Fares, the director of Hazelight Studios. This isn’t his first cameo, as he included himself in It Takes Two as well, where his Oscars rant became popular.
Players traversing the world of Neon Revenge will arrive at a subway station where they can tune into a radio on a bench. It relays a snippet of Fares’ interview, a delightful detail that many might easily overlook—a fact I unfortunately learned from colleagues rather than firsthand!
2 A Way Out Characters
Leo & Vincent Make an Appearance in Isolation
Another hidden gem features characters from A Way Out, a previous Hazelight gem. Encountered in the Isolation chapter, players may spot Leo and Vincent confined in a prison cell. Given their former game’s narrative, this moment provides an intriguing crossover.
As these characters don’t consistently receive the spotlight as others, their brief appearance will delight fans of the original title. You can free them by simply pressing a button, further enriching the experience of shared storytelling!
1 Assassin’s Creed Leap of Faith
Making Ezio Proud
In the introductory chapter entitled Rader Publishing, players can discover one of the most iconic easter eggs: the leap of faith. After scaling a tower, Zoe and Mio leap into a haystack, replicating the signature move from the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
This homage is accentuated by the distinct eagle call players associate with such leaps throughout the series, enhancing the connection. An interesting thematic parallel arises with Rader Publishing, which resembles Abstergo Industries from Assassin’s Creed, implying deeper narrative foreshadowing in Split Fiction.
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