Julia "Yuuki" Guzairova
Split Fiction is a unique co-op game that captivates players from the very beginning and keeps them hooked until the end. However, few people know that, in addition to its original storyline, the game is also filled with Easter eggs.
By weaving references to other works into the narrative, the developers pay homage to iconic games and films—whether they are long forgotten or legendary in their genres. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most fun and intriguing references we found.
Image: youtube.com
What Are Easter Eggs?
Easter eggs are hidden references to other works. Unlike plagiarism, where someone uses another's work for personal gain, Easter eggs serve as a tribute to popular creations. These references can be found not only in character dialogues and actions but also in their appearance, subtly nodding to classic works.
For passionate gamers who love discovering hidden details, Easter eggs make the game even more engaging and immersive. And as history shows, there are plenty of fans eager to hunt for these hidden gems.
Leap of Faith
Image: youtube.com
We’ll start with the most striking reference that every Split Fiction player has encountered—the Leap of Faith. For new gamers or those not deeply familiar with the industry, this leap might have seemed breathtaking yet oddly out of place, as it was the only time the main characters jumped in such a manner.
However, this move is no coincidence. It is a direct nod to the iconic Assassin’s Creed series—a game about the history of legendary assassins.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise began with its first installment in 2007, developed by Ubisoft. The story follows Desmond Miles, a modern-day protagonist who is a descendant of assassins who once fought against the Templars. The company that employs Desmond seeks to uncover lost historical events by accessing his genetic memories through a device called the Animus, allowing him to relive the past.
The Chase
Image: youtube.com
The first platformer-style reference in the game, though not the first Easter egg in our list, strongly resembles the famous boulder chase scene from Crash Bandicoot.
Although Crash Bandicoot is considered a classic—it originally debuted in 1996 on the PlayStation—it has been remastered multiple times. In 2017, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was released, featuring fully remastered versions of the first three iconic games.
Despite having little to no overarching story, the game remains popular, particularly the original title, which speedrunners still play today. For hardcore fans, a special bonus level was released, available after completing the first Crash Bandicoot game. This Easter egg not only evokes nostalgia but also highlights how well-designed mechanics from the past still hold up in modern gaming.
Costumes
When players enter Zoe’s world, they encounter characters wearing unusual costumes. However, few realize that these outfits are actually a tribute to Tron: Legacy, a film released by Disney in 2010.
Image: youtube.com
Details such as the suit’s design, its glowing elements, and the way Mio’s world is built transport fans of Tron back into their beloved franchise, sparking a sense of nostalgia. The same can be said for the high-speed motorcycle chase, which mirrors the film’s iconic Light Cycle battles.
And these are just a few of the many hidden references in Split Fiction! Have you spotted any other Easter eggs in the game? Share them with us in the comments!
Elephant Rose
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in Split Fiction's older sister, It Takes Two, was the scene with Rose’s favorite toy—Queen Elephant. In the game, Rose’s parents didn’t just tear it apart: they brutally destroyed it.
Image: youtube.com
Players had to literally pull the poor elephant by the ears, first tearing off her paw and then her ear. This scene deeply resonated with players, highlighting how little the parents cared about their daughter's feelings, adding even more emotional depth to the story.
Just like in It Takes Two, players in Split Fiction have the option to tear off the elephant’s ear and paw. However, unlike the original game, they are not breaking a living toy but rather a statue.
The Terrifying Computer
Another reference in the game is a frightening computer found in one of the side stories, Gameshow. The game’s side stories act like additional levels within the subconscious, similar to how dreams were depicted in the movie Inception. However, in this case, players are not diving into a dream but rather into an idea that once crossed its creator's mind — in this case, Mio’s.
Image: steamcommunity.com
In this level, Mio and Zoe must participate in a deadly challenge, passing a bomb between each other. The game is somewhat similar to hot potato, with one major difference—if the bomb explodes, the characters die, and players must restart the level.
The terrifying computer that Mio and Zoe are trying to destroy bears a striking resemblance to GLaDOS from the cult classic Portal. This level quickly became a fan favorite, with the thrill of avoiding mistakes and the fear of restarting making the experience even more intense.
Dark Mio
Inside Mio’s subconscious, players must battle a darker version of herself — Dark Mio — an embodiment of her fears and past traumas. However, her appearance closely resembles another character from the once-popular non-target MMORPG Tera Online — Zolyn.
Image: steamcommunity.com
Unlike Mio, who enters her subconscious to confront her dark self, Zolyn transforms due to Durion — a dark entity of Manahan that turns her into a monster for his amusement.
In Tera Online, Zolyn and her beloved Popori companion, Payson, meet a tragic end. Their sorrowful love story spreads across Arborea, leaving a lasting impression of sadness. In contrast, Mio overcomes her dark self and conquers her fears. This symbolic moment suggests that all the darkness within Mio has finally dissipated.
The Iconic Quote
Another Easter egg related to Dark Mio appears in a cutscene during the middle of the battle, when she utters the phrase: "What will break first, your spirit or your spine?"
Though it might be difficult to recognize at first, fans of the Batman franchise instantly caught the reference. These exact words were spoken by Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, making the quote iconic and adding yet another Easter egg to the game’s list.
The Maneuver
Another reference in Mio’s first chapter appears during the chase scene. As the heroines switch to a motorcycle, Zoe has to complete a CAPTCHA to deactivate a detonation, while Mio takes control of the vehicle.
Image: nme.com
During the landing cutscene with Mio, the game pays homage to the legendary anime Akira, where the protagonist performs a similar maneuver. This reference enhances the intensity of the scene, making it even more thrilling — another great Easter egg to add to the collection!
Arrakis
The Dune universe also finds its place in Split Fiction. In the first side story, the main characters enter a world reminiscent of Persia, where they encounter sand monsters.
Image: geektyrant.com
To overcome the monsters and reach the other side, Mio and Zoe must take turns activating devices that attract sandworms. However, it’s not just these devices that reference Dune—the way the characters move across the sand also plays a role. It seems as though they aren’t merely walking but dancing. This movement, combined with the sounds, adds beauty to the scene, while the Dune reference—depicting a desert world exploited for its resources—further deepens the story’s meaning.
Persia and the Sands of Time
Another Easter egg appears right before encountering the sand monsters when Zoe and Mio push open a grand set of doors. Beyond them lies a familiar sight—Persia, with its majestic castle and the legendary sands capable of reversing time.
Image: pinterest.com
Although players don’t have the ability to rewind time in this game, this reference still sparked nostalgia and fond memories among fans of the Prince of Persia franchise.
The Three Little Pigs
This Easter egg differs from the previous ones—it doesn’t reference a film or a game, but rather a fairy tale. As everyone remembers, in the famous story The Three Little Pigs, each pig builds a house, with the brick house ultimately proving the strongest, protecting them from the big bad wolf.
Image: pinterest.com
However, the game developers decided to put a humorous twist on this story in a side quest called Farm Life. When the protagonists come across a brick house, they see an additional pig that has no connection to the quest itself. If Mio releases gas against the wall, it collapses, humorously proving that even a brick house can’t withstand the power of her… well, emissions.
Who knows, maybe the developers were using the fairy tale to remind us that arrogance can be dangerous!
The Great Deku Tree
Another famous figure can be spotted in one of Zoe’s levels, where the protagonists must pass through a massive, ancient tree. Its intertwining roots and enormous branches, illuminated by soft sunlight, outline a familiar face.
Image: pinterest.com
This is the Great Deku Tree, a beloved character known to many players from The Legend of Zelda series. Additional references are hidden in the background music and the fireflies that guide the players forward.
The Round Table
What would Split Fiction be without a touch of Miyazaki’s world? This reference was hard to miss. In Zoe’s subconscious world, as the protagonists climb upward, they enter a familiar hall that closely resembles the Round Table from Elden Ring.
Image: maxroll.gg
Swords emerge from its center, and a light burns above them — just like in the game, where players return to the hall to upgrade their weapons.
The Bonfire
Another Souls reference in Split Fiction was a delightful discovery for fans of the series. However, this time it wasn’t Elden Ring, but Dark Souls. When the main characters enter a side story, they must complete certain trials to unlock the doors.
Image: youtube.com
One of these trials leads to a cave. While not a mandatory location, players can sit next to a small bonfire. Upon interacting with it, they see a familiar message—one that Souls players eagerly anticipate as a sign of long-awaited progress saving.
The Transformation
It might seem that the Sailor Moon universe has no place in a sci-fi game like Split Fiction, yet the developers managed to incorporate it brilliantly. When the protagonists transition into Zoe’s world, not only do the surroundings change, but so do their outfits.
Image: pinterest.com
This transformation scene is a direct homage to the iconic Sailor Moon transformation sequence, which remains beloved by fans worldwide.
The Loop
It’s clear that the game’s creators are huge fans of platformers. Throughout Split Fiction, we see references not only to legendary games like Portal and Crash Bandicoot, but also to Sonic the Hedgehog.
Image: steamcommunity.com
One of the final side stories, Notebook, features a loop—a direct nod to the famous loops from Sonic. Zoe’s line, "Gotta go fast", further solidifies this reference, paying tribute to the blue speedster.
The references in Split Fiction play a crucial role in shaping the story, acting as bridges between iconic franchises and this new universe. By weaving in elements from past gaming and pop culture legends, the developers pay homage to these beloved worlds—some of which have faded into nostalgia over time.
What other references have you spotted? Share your discoveries in the comments!
Main image: ensigame.com
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