Split Fiction: 10 Easter Eggs Hidden In The Game

Hazelight Studios has crafted their newest cooperative adventure, titled Split Fiction, which promises an engaging experience for you and a companion. Immersed in either the primary narrative or delightful subplots, you’ll find no shortage of activities throughout your voyage.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by the delightful surprise of finding Easter eggs hidden throughout this game. These little treasures are filled with references to iconic moments, pop culture figures, and even other games that I love! Here’s a rundown of some of my favorites from the gaming journey so far.

10. Metroid-Inspired Level

With A Dash Of Tron And Contra

As you delve into the science fiction narrative of the Final Dawn, there’s a significant chunk in one of its subchapters where Mio and Zoe find themselves navigating a side-scrolling area that shares a resemblance with the Metroid series, along with other horizontal scrolling shooter games such as Contra.

Indeed, Mio sports a red attire that shares a striking resemblance with the iconic red-orange ensemble donned by Samus Aran in her series, whereas Zoe is dressed in a blue suit reminiscent of the Zero Suit Samus outfit. The design of these suits recalls the classic 1982 Tron movie.

The blend of colorful side-scroller mechanics, platform gameplay, and futuristic combat echoed my childhood memories of countless hours spent engrossed in the world of Metroid.

9. Donkey Kong-Inspired Level

Old School Viny Primate Platforming

In the third chapter, titled “Hopes of Spring,” you’ll encounter a level that brings to mind another popular video game. Here, the character Mio transforms into a gorilla, much like Donkey Kong does.

In this phase of the game, Mio must navigate by traversing on different vines and leaping into blossoms that function like cannons, propelling her to the next vine. This resembles certain stages from the well-known Donkey Kong video game series.

As I delved deeper into the game’s level, a sense of longing for the past washed over me. It was incredibly enjoyable to recapture that carefree feeling of jumping from one swing to another, just like I used to do as a child.

8. Trophy/Achievement Names

Various Achievements Make Nods To Popular Culture

During gameplay, there are twenty awards or accomplishments you can earn, many of which make nods to well-known elements of pop culture. Remarkably, about half of these are subtle easter eggs or references to different series.

Sisters: A Tale of Two Besties is a direct reference to Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
It Took Two is a reference to It Takes Two.
Huffing and Puffing is a reference to the children’s story The Three Little Pigs and involves knocking down a house made of bricks.
The Cake is Not A Lie trophy is a reference to the popularized saying “The cake is a lie” from Portal and involves using actual portals to reach a secret room in Final Dawn.
Are We The Baddies references the popularized line from That Mitchell & Webb Look.
Snaaaaaaaaake is a reference to Metal Gear Solid and includes Zoe hiding inside a cardboard box.
We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat references the movie Jaws and features a surprise attack from a great white shark.

7. Howl’s Moving Castle

An Ode To Studio Ghibli

In the sidelight tale called Moon Market, you can discover it nested within the Final Dawn chapter of this game. Here, you’ll uncover numerous subtle nods to well-known pop culture series, such as Howl’s Moving Castle.

As you roam about, searching for playful kittens, you might unexpectedly encounter a structure reminiscent of a house, but with chicken-like limbs, which appears very similar to the moving castle depicted in “Howl’s Moving Castle“.

Without me having time to fully comprehend what I was observing, my closest companion suddenly started shouting in excitement because she recognized the significance of the house immediately. This made our discovery of the Easter egg quite amusing.

Although Moonlight Studios significantly alters the design in many ways, having a colossal, mobile, animated castle with legs seems like an intentional reference to the timeless Studio Ghibli masterpiece, given its overt resemblance.

6. Rose’s Elephant From It Takes Two

This Pachyderm Just Can’t Catch A Break

In the Neon Revenge chapter of the game, one of the initial hidden references players might spot is an elephant. If you played Hazelight’s previous cooperative game, “It Takes Two,” you’ll likely recall this distinctive elephant.

In the game, it’s the same character who is Rose’s closest ally, and they need to eliminate this character for May and Cody to grab their daughter’s focus during a particularly distressing part of the game.

If Zoe uses her whip to eliminate the elephant, you will earn the title “Rose’s Best Friend” as a reward. Just be aware that if you win this title while playing with the same person you previously played ‘It Takes Two’ with, your partner might evaluate your actions.

5. Dark Souls Bonfire

Take A Rest While Catching Cats

Discovering another thrilling hidden gem within the Moon Market subplot of the Final Dawn tale, you’ll come across a cozy bonfire during your search for the missing kittens who wandered around the Moon Market area.

This blaze calls to mind the acclaimed Dark Souls video game franchise, which has left a lasting impact on the gaming world. Within this series, players find solace and respite at fires that act as crucial milestones and resting spots during their adventure.

I couldn’t help but feel thrilled upon spotting that bonfire, given its role in gaming. It was yet another hidden gem that left me bursting with excitement, prompting me to share the discovery enthusiastically with my best friend, making sure they were aware of its origin.

4. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Setting

The Legend Of The Sandfish Finds Its Roots In Persia

In their journey through the Neon Revenge chapter of the game, Zoe and Mio will stumble upon the first side story they encounter, titled The Legend of the Sandfish. This tale will contain several references reminiscent of the Prince of Persia series.

Indeed, at a certain juncture, Zoe and Mio pass through a doorway, and it’s then revealed that they will journey through a realm called “The Sands of Time” – a place famed within the game series.

As soon as I stepped into this side tale, I’ve been telling my closest companion that it resembled the world of “Sands of Time.” Hearing that line only confirmed what I had suspected all along.

It appears that the strategy of Zoe and Mio tapping on the ground to drive off the sandfish might serve as a subtle reference or hidden detail reminiscent of the novel “Dune.

3. Josef Fares Talking Over The Radio

Hazelight’s Director Makes An Appearance In Neon Revenge

In an intriguing yet subtly hidden detail, there’s an easter egg linked to Josef Fares, the director of Hazelight Studios. It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Fares has inserted himself into a game. Remnants of his well-known Oscars outburst can also be found in the game It Takes Two.

As you delve into the realm of Neon Revenge, you’ll eventually reach a subway stop, having skillfully navigated past a barrage of incoming trains. In this station, you’ll find a radio sitting on a bench that can be tuned to a brief segment of an interview with Fares.

This hidden feature might be less well-known, but it’s certainly intriguing, much like an undiscovered treasure for many players. On my initial encounter, I wasn’t aware it was him, only recognizing it later through conversations with some of my peers.

2. A Way Out Characters

Leo & Vincent Make An Appearance In Isolation

In the popular game “A Way Out,” developed by Hazelight Studios, there’s a hidden detail that might be overlooked. It’s no wonder, given that this studio has a knack for incorporating their characters in intriguing ways. Interestingly enough, the two main characters in “A Way Out” can also be spotted in the game titled “It Takes Two.

In the course of the “Isolation” segment, Zoe and Mio are bound to traverse a prison block. It’s only natural that they encounter Vincent and Leo confined within a cell along the way. Given their game revolves around escaping from prison, this situation fits perfectly. A button can then be activated to free their cell.

Fans of the game “A Way Out” might not receive the same level of focus as those who follow other titles from Hazelight. However, they’ll undoubtedly appreciate the reappearance of characters Leo and Vincent in this unique case.

1. Assassin’s Creed Leap of Faith

Making Ezio Proud

As players progress through the opening chapter, they stumble upon one of the game’s most striking Easter eggs – a nod to the Assassin’s Creed series – hidden in plain sight by Rader Publishing. This delightful surprise is triggered when Zoe and Mio leap into a haystack after scaling a tower, a familiar scene reminiscent of many protagonists from the Assassin’s Creed games.

What truly caught my attention about this Easter egg was the sound of the eagle’s call, a familiar melody that echoes throughout every leap of faith action in the Assassin’s Creed series as well.

One intriguing aspect that sets this easter egg apart (and it’s my favorite) is that Rader Publishing seems strikingly similar to Abstergo Industries from the Assassin’s Creed series. Both companies delve into people’s thoughts in an attempt to extract information, subtly hinting at a connection in Split Fiction.

2025-03-09 16:40