History ShoutOut / BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm

* Trahald Prime resembles a Sidelle, a recurring monster from the ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' franchise.

* Virtua's Angels are a big reference to the Angels of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangeion'', being {{Angelic Abomination}}s with bizarre designs and even more bizarre battles- Cracky's is the only one that makes any sort of sense.
** The hidden "PC Ending", which occurs after defeating Esoteraphim (who is possibly one of the Angels), recreates the iconic final shot of ''[[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion End of Evangelion]]'', with Esoteraphim in place of Rei... which is fitting, because the events of that ending would [[GainaxEnding do Gainax proud]].

** Chapter 3 bears some resemblance to 64's Chapter 3, the [[BigBoosHaunt mandatory creepy episode]] that features a [[LostWoods labyrinthine dark forest]] where one must look for the sightly different exit to progress [[spoiler:and the PlotCoupon being located inside a windmill just on the outskirts of a town.]]

** The Phisher Temple is very similar to the Crystal Palace from 64, in that it is an ice dungeon found at the end of a snow area and has a bunch of imposter enemies attempt to impersonate your party members, and you have to SpotTheImposter- both games even have a room where the imposters wind up [[GlamourFailure copying a bunch of different characters instead of the one they are supposed to impersonate]], all while [[BlatantLies insisting they are said party member]].

It's a game about the internet, so a few [[ShoutOut shout-outs]] were expected. But [=BoxxyQuest=] manages to go truly above and beyond. [=SpherianGames=], just how geeky are you guys?

** The Hype Train’s layout is virtually identical to that of the Excess Express. To add to that, you visit both in Chapter 6 of their respective games.
** Also, The Inbox is a pretty clear reference to the Trouble Center, and some of the missions are quite similar as well.

** The “Sacred Seeds” sidequest is an obvious parallel to gathering the Bub-ulb seeds in ''VideoGame/PaperMario64'', right down to a doorway appearing in the garden once all the seeds are planted. The quest-giver’s name, Mint Leaf, is even similar to Minh T., the Toad who helps you in ''Paper Mario''.

* One of the guards in Partnership Towers turns out to be a BossInMookClothing. What makes him so much stronger than the others? [[ComicStrip/{{Popeye}} He’s been eating spinach! ]]
* The Partnership Towers dungeon itself seems like a reference to the Shinra Headquarters from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. You can take the stairs to bypass the guards and fighting, but it results in your partners whining the whole way up.

** Deep in The Woods, you may find a piece of paper labeled “[[VideoGame/{{Slender}} Page 1/8]].” The other seven pages are nowhere to be found, but [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos Slender Man]] himself does turn up later in the chapter, [[spoiler:ironically as a benevolent ally and guardian]].
** After you beat the chapter boss, the village [=NPCs=] will simply say “[[http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Jvk1166z.esp Watch the Sky]].”

** Speaking of Uboa, recreations of Poniko’s house and the “trap world” can be found mixed in with /x/’s map data, although there’s no way to access them in-game.
** In one part of The Woods, a [[WebOriginal/SearchAndRescueWoods mysterious staircase]] can be seen in the distance through the trees. Thankfully, there's no way to reach it.

** A certain vendor in [=YouTube=] is selling furniture to “pimp out your secret base.” He’s disappointed to learn that secret bases aren’t a thing in this game.

** There’s a very rare chance of catching a Feebas at the 4chan fishing pond… but only if you fish on certain tiles.

** Also at the Summit, 4chan tries to intimidate the other sites by having a bard play “[[Series/GameOfThrones The Rains of]] VideoGame/{{Habbo}}.” Two shout-outs in one!
* In the prologue, one of the ship’s sailors is a guy from ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}''. After the shipwreck, you find him exactly where you’d expect to find a Minecrafter who just woke up in a strange new land: punching trees on the beach.
* When you finally meet [[spoiler:the Sky Queen]], she excuses her absence from the plot by saying that she was in the middle of binging ''Series/StrangerThings''.
* In Tyalie’s debut scene, she runs through a list of cosplays she might’ve been wearing. She names [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]], [[Anime/CodeGeass Nunnally vi Britannia]], and the [[VideoGame/EmbricOfWulfhammersCastle Duchess of Elstwhere]].

** To be honest, at least half of Tyalie’s dialogue belongs here.
* If you explore off the beaten path on Artistry Highway, you can find a wearable [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Kokiri Tunic]]. Bottled fairies are also present as a revival item.

* The FlavorText for the Hackerberries item says they “taste like retextured [[Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory snozzberries]].”

* The description for the Fishing Rod is a garbled-up "g Rod hing "[=RodCopper=] fishin For fishing," mimicking a [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/19cff3f72f9357d203d1e46eec52c297/tumblr_n9gaq5NQeO1qim81no1_500.png text glitch]] from ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonFriendsOfMineralTown''.
* Two of the guests at the Fanon house party are an adventurer and his follower. If you talk to the follower, she’ll say she’s only there because she’s “[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim sworn to carry that guy’s burdens]].”

* Catie and Shift discuss ''Website/{{Neopets}}'' in his second support scene. Back in the day, Catie had an Acara and a Chia, while Shift had a Blumaroo, a Buzz… and a frog that neither can remember the name of. (It’d be either a Nimmo or a Quiggle).
* You get to visit a ''Music/{{Vocaloid}}'' concert as part of the main plot. Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Rin even put in appearances if you head backstage!
* Several cameo fights can occur at the Battle Arena, including LetsPlay/{{Markiplier}}, the WebVideo/GameGrumps, Brizzy Voices, and (formerly) [[Creator/TheCynicalBrit TotalBiscuit]]. If you participate in the secret Fight Night tournament, you also get to fight [[FanFic/HalfLifeFullLifeConsequences SquirrelKing]] and the Time Cube guy.
* During the postgame BeachEpisode, Eddie says the memetic “I don’t like sand” line from ''[[Film/AttackOfTheClones Star Wars Episode II]]''.

* In [=GameFAQs=], there’s a grassy pen with several assorted [[Franchise/FinalFantasy Chocobos]] wandering around.
* The [[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse Crystal Gems]] appear in the Tower of Plot’s fake credits sequence.
* The PlayableEpilogue features a surprise cameo by none other than [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans the skeleton]]. He makes a few of his usual bone puns, and even gives the player his autograph (it’s written in ketchup) if you talk to him a second time. See the full scene [[https://imgur.com/PpNTcGp here]].
** Also, the true ending’s “Extra Special Thanks” credits play out as a clear homage to ''Undertale''’s backer credits.

* Virtua's Angels are a big reference to the Angels of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangeion'', being {{Angelic Abomination}}s with bizarre designs and even more bizarre battles- Cracky's is the only one that makes any sort of sense. The hidden "PC Ending", which occurs after defeating the angel Esoteraphim, recreates the iconic final shot of ''[[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion End of Evangelion]]'', with Esoteraphim in place of Rei... which is fitting, because the events of that ending would [[GainaxEnding do Gainax proud]].

* On the way up to the Summit meeting room, Jimmy Wales pauses the elevator to show off his true life’s work: ''Franchise/JurassicPark''. After a moment of puzzled silence…

* The [[spoiler:Echo of Virtua]] boss has a move called [[spoiler:[[VisualNovel/VirtuesLastReward Virtua’s Last Reward]]]].
* The hidden "PC Ending" recreates the iconic final shot of ''[[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion End of Evangelion]]''... which is fitting, because the events of that ending would [[GainaxEnding do Gainax proud]].

** At one point in Chapter 6, [[spoiler:Arianna]], disguised as Jimmy Wales, will ask you what three enemies you fear most, seemingly for no reason by really to throw them at you later. This is identical to a trick pulled by [[VideoGame/SuperPaperMario Mimi]], who also disguises herself as an ally to learn what you fear and send it back at you.

** The Partnership Towers dungeon itself seems like a reference to the Shinra Headquarters from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. You can take the stairs to bypass the guards and fighting, but it results in your partners whining the whole way up.

** The endless stairway in the school is based on [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-087 SCP-087]]. In the nearby forest, you can find a blue key that unlocks an area inspired by [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-860 SCP-860]].
** Deep in The Woods, you may find a piece of paper labeled “[[VideoGame/{{Slender}} Page 1/8]].” The other seven pages are nowhere to be found, but [[Franchise/TheSlenderManMythos Slender Man]] himself does turn up later in the chapter.

* As promised by the official page, the game is filled with nods to the ''VideoGame/PaperMario'' series, particularly ''[[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor The Thousand Year Door]]''. Most notably, the Hype Train’s layout is virtually identical to that of the Excess Express.

** In one house, three kids are clustered around a TV watching static, which may be referencing the ''DarthWiki/CandleCove'' story.

* The description for the Hackerberries item says they “taste like retextured [[Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory snozzberries]].”

* The description for the Fishing Rod is a garbled-up "g Rod hing "[=RodCopper=] fishin For fishing," mimicking a [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/19cff3f72f9357d203d1e46eec52c297/tumblr_n9gaq5NQeO1qim81no1_500.png text glitch]] from ''VideoGame/HarvestMoonFriendsOfMineralTown''.

* As promised by the official page, the game is filled with nods to the VideoGame/PaperMario series, particularly [[VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor The Thousand Year Door]]. Most notably, the Hype Train’s layout is virtually identical to that of the Excess Express.

** The Partnership Towers dungeon itself seems like a reference to the Shinra Headquarters from VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII. You can take the stairs to bypass the guards and fighting, but it results in your partners whining the whole way up.

** In one house, three kids are clustered around a TV watching static, which may be referencing the DarthWiki/CandleCove story.

* There are several Franchise/{{Pokemon}} shout-outs:

* In the prologue, one of the ship’s sailors is a guy from VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}. After the shipwreck, you find him exactly where you’d expect to find a Minecrafter who just woke up in a strange new land: punching trees on the beach.
* When you finally meet [[spoiler:the Sky Queen]], she excuses her absence from the plot by saying that she was in the middle of binging Series/StrangerThings.

* A rare blade can be found in the Deep Web called the Crissaegrim, named for an InfinityPlusOneSword in the Franchise/{{Castlevania}} series.

* The Slime Shield for sale in [=GameFAQs=] looks like a classic VideoGame/DragonQuest slime.

* Catie and Shift discuss Website/{{Neopets}} in his second support scene. Back in the day, Catie had an Acara and a Chia, while Shift had a Blumaroo, a Buzz… and a frog that neither can remember the name of. (It’d be either a Nimmo or a Quiggle).
* You get to visit a Music/{{Vocaloid}} concert as part of the main plot. Hatsune Miku and Kagamine Rin even put in appearances if you head backstage!

* During the postgame BeachEpisode, Eddie says the memetic “I don’t like sand” line from [[Film/AttackOfTheClones Star Wars Episode II]].

* The hidden "PC Ending" recreates the iconic final shot of [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion End of Evangelion]]... which is fitting, because the events of that ending would [[GainaxEnding do Gainax proud]].

* The PlayableEpilogue features a surprise cameo by none other than [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}} Sans the skeleton]]. He makes a few of his usual bone puns, and even gives the player his autograph (it’s written in ketchup) if you talk to him a second time. See the full scene [[https://imgur.com/PpNTcGp here]].

It's a game about the internet, so a few [[ShoutOut shout-outs]] were expected. But [=BoxxyQuest=] manages to go truly above and beyond. SpherianGames, just how geeky are you guys?

It's a game about the internet, so a few [[ShoutOut shout-outs]] were expected. But [=BoxxyQuest=] manages to go truly above and beyond. Shrimp, just how big of a nerd are you?

* The Slime Shield for sale in [=GameFAQs=] looks like a basic VideoGame/DragonQuest slime.

* The PlayableEpilogue features a surprise cameo by none other than [[VideoGame/{{Undertale}}Sans the skeleton]]. He makes a few of his usual bone puns, and even gives the player his autograph (it’s written in ketchup) if you talk to him a second time. See the full scene [[https://imgur.com/PpNTcGp here]].

* A rare blade can be found in the Deep Web called the Crissaegrim, named for an Infinity +1 Sword in the Franchise/{{Castlevania}} series.

* On the way up to the Summit meeting room, Jimmy Wales pauses the elevator to show off his true life’s work: Jurassic Park. After a moment of puzzled silence…

* The [[WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse Crystal Gems]] appear in the Tower of Plot’s fake credits sequence.

* A rare blade can be found in the Deep Web called the Crissaegrim, named for an Infinity +1 Sword in the [[Franchise/Castlevania]] series.

** [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Pinkie Pie]] is there too, and can be temporarily recruited if you keep speaking to her.