Supermassive Games has finally released The Quarry and fans who were eagerly awaiting the latest large-scale choices-matter game have been satiated by the many possible playthrough runs that always change as the choices made by players are constantly shaken up.
While The Quarry is an original story or series of various stories in the same game, there is a lot of inspiration drawn from a wide array of horror films. Many easter eggs and references to famous horror films are obvious. However, several others may have slipped by players while they were concerned with their next major decision in the game.
7 Friday The 13th
While the references to the Friday the 13th franchise in The Quarry are many, some are easier to miss than others. The fact that the game is centered on murders at a summer camp is a notable one, as is the story involving Eliza being Silas’ mother.
However, there are more subtle references to the iconic horror series, such as Tom Savini. This name appears on beer bottles in the game because he was the special effects supervisor on the original Friday the 13th film. Many of the 80s throwback outfits are also notably drawing inspiration from the style of clothing in the 1980 classic.
6 The Twilight Zone
A famous television show that explored a new story and a new world every single week for years, The Twilight Zone is most recognizable for the infamous voice of Rod Serling. The animated tutorials in The Quarry are unsettling in their own right, despite featuring a variety of adorable cartoons and characters.
However, the actor that narrates these tutorials was chosen for his incredible impression of Rod Serling and his ability to therefore make a part of this game reminiscent of the eerie Twilight Zone opening that was so influential to the horror genre, possibly even inspiration for the many paths a player can take in the game.
5 Predator
Another classic horror film that helped shape the genre is Predator. One of the most famous cases of an undefeatable, imposing killer stalking a series of victims, Predator was notable, particularly for the level of violence it showed. While there aren’t many explicit references to the film in The Quarry, there is a small one that fans of the film will love.
John McTiernan was the man in the directorial chair for Predator, and players of The Quarry can use shotgun shells branded McTiernan in homage to the director. This branding name reference is subtle, and most players won’t catch it, but it is the perfect way to pay tribute to the intensely violent film.
4 Until Dawn
Another project with many easter eggs throughout The Quarry is one of Supermassive’s own projects, Until Dawn. The game that made the style of Supermassive games popular was referenced heavily. These include the podcast “Bizarre Yet Bonafide” which is mentioned heavily in the game and makes obvious references to the game.
Easily heard during the credits, a line from the podcast echoes Until Dawn; saying “It was only a joke Han” and during the game, Kaitlyn says that the camp reminds her of a ski lodge. Until Dawn made the hugely influential multiple-choice horror genre a hit, and The Quarry has just as many options available and things to find.
3 The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead is another film and franchise that The Quarry drew from heavily. Some of the more obvious references include Ted Raimi, brother of franchise director Sam Raimi, appearing in the game. However, there are other references, such as one moment when players have the opportunity to cut off Dylan’s arm with a chainsaw that says groovy on it.
There are many parts of The Quarry inspired by Evil Dead, director Will Byles cited it as one of his biggest inspirations while making the game. But the chainsaw amputation remains one of the most well-known scenes in The Evil Dead, a moment that helped define the early gruesome side of the horror genre.
2 Scream
While David Arquette’s inclusion in the game is in itself a reference to the Scream franchise, director Will Byles also named the franchise as a huge inspiration to the game as it is difficult to go back before Scream in terms of the horror franchise.
Arquette himself insisted that a lot about the game and the brand of horror it uses is a joke, similar to the style in which the Scream franchise has always handled itself. Arquette followed up by saying that he’d like to see Supermassive take on a Scream franchise video game next, which wouldn’t be a surprising endeavor after the success of other games based on long-running horror franchises recently.
1 The Final Girl
More of a nod to the entire genre than any particular film, this easter egg played with the fact that many famous horror films from Halloween to Friday the 13th and A Nightmare On Elm Street have a final girl standing out of the characters, someone to face down the killer at the very end.
If only Kaitlyn remains alive at the end of The Quarry, there is a trophy the player will earn called “The Final Girl” in reference to this famous trope. While players are more likely trying to keep everyone (or sometimes nobody) alive until the end of the journey, this option certainly does have its rewards.
The Quarry is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.