I love when video games have hidden stuff that are not part of the games but become a running gag in the community – or are related to the game but do not affect the game per se. Like the biggest video game open-worlds or the funniest in-game punishments that I have talked about already, finding hidden jokes and sneaky references have become a staple for dedicated players and developers alike.
Because they are hidden and not everyone knows about them, they earned the name ‘easter eggs’ in reference to traditional Easter egg hunts. Let’s talk about some of them.
1. Batman: Arkham Asylum
Having a teaser or hint for the sequel is one of the greatest marketing strategies and is also a fun little sneak peek for the players. Batman: Arkham Asylum had a blueprint hidden away for a planned expansion of the asylum to take up a whole city sector. It was for the follow-up sequel – Batman: Arkham City.
The players had to enter the office of the asylum warden and blow up a wall – that led the players to a hidden chamber with a large blueprint on the wall for the new expansion game. It was so well hidden that the players didn’t figure it out till the developers gave it away, two years later, in the preview for the sequel.
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
This easter egg is a fun addition to your game with the opportunity to play retro arcade games. Your speed and skills here are somehow appreciated with this gift. If the player succeeded in shooting the heads off of all the dummies within 30 seconds in the creepy Nuke Town, then the players get to take a pit stop – sit down at an old Atari console and play a selection of retro Activision titles, including the likes of Pitfall and River Raid.
3. Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto has hundreds of easter eggs and everyone has their favorite. It can become a good discussion topic among GTA enthusiasts. This one is so specific and makes a reference to the outside world that it had to make the list.
When the players stole a chopper and flew over a certain mountainous location after 7 pm in the evening, they got to see a vintage car reenacting the famous ending of Ridley Scott’s movie Thelma and Louise, driving over the edge of a vast edifice. There’s even a group of police cars nearby.
4. Hitman: Blood Money
This one is more of a funny in-game joke than an easter egg. In the mission “Til death do us part”, the player has to take the groom out to a redneck wedding. But when the player goes over to a building behind the dancing guests and shoots a tiny coin submerged in a puddle a group of men in boxer shorts run over and start clapping the lead assassin that the player is portraying. It is a very funny and visually appealing easter egg in the game.
5. Silent Hill 4
The fluffy rabbit – Robbie – can be seen throughout the game. If you pay attention, you will realize that it is a creepy easter egg. Whenever the player as the lead protagonist peeps through the hole in their bedroom wall to spy on their attractive neighbour, they can see Robbie slumped on her bed.
Later in the game, when the attractive neighbor is rushed to the hospital and, if the player peeks into her room again, Robbie – the fluffy rabbit – is now turned toward the camera, terrifyingly pointing his foot at the player.
