Bohemia Interactive’s Vigor is more than just a looter-shooter survival game set in post-apocalyptic Norway. Beneath the gritty gameplay and competitive tension lies a world rich with hidden lore, subtle nods to popular culture, and clever Easter eggs placed throughout the Outlands. Whether you’re a seasoned Outlander or a curious newcomer, uncovering these hidden secrets can add a fresh layer of excitement to your experience. Here’s a deep dive into some of the most intriguing secrets and Easter eggs scattered across Vigor.
Hidden Messages in the Shelter
The Shelter is your personal hub in Vigor, a place to craft gear, stash loot, and upgrade your facilities. But if you take the time to explore it more thoroughly, you’ll find it harbors some fascinating secrets. For example, in certain updates, developers have added cryptic notes and scrawled messages in hard-to-spot places, hinting at past events or even teasing future content.
One particularly eerie message can be found behind the Workshop upgrade board, where a faded inscription reads, “They never left.” It’s unclear whether this refers to previous inhabitants or a nod to mysterious Outlanders still lurking. Another Shelter Easter egg is the radio; sometimes, if you tune it carefully, you’ll catch a shortwave transmission with coded Morse messages or fragments of conversations. These are believed to reference the mysterious world events hinted at in Vigor’s lore, possibly connecting to Bohemia’s broader universe.
Pop Culture References Hidden in Plain Sight
Like many games that love to wink at their audience, Vigor is peppered with subtle pop culture references. Some are easy to catch, while others require a keen eye. One of the most recognizable Easter eggs is the “Red Balloon” floating near a storm drain in the Grontheim Valley map — a clear homage to Stephen Kings’s IT.
There are also nods to other post-apocalyptic franchises. For instance, one of the collectible posters in the Shelter displays a stylized figure in a gas mask with the phrase “War Never Changes,” which fans of Fallout will immediately recognize. A radio in one map occasionally plays a distorted version of an old military song reminiscent of those used in Cold War-era films, reinforcing the vibe of a war-ravaged, forgotten world that draws influence from both history and fiction.
Secret Locations and Hidden Loot Spots
Beyond the Easter eggs meant for fun, some secrets have very real in-game value — hidden loot spots. Veteran players often speak in hushed tones about hidden caches or rare supply boxes tucked away in areas that aren’t marked on the map. These locations often change with game updates, but certain “persistent” spots are worth mentioning.
On the Dverg Forest map, there’s a fallen tree near the western cliffs. If you crouch and follow the trail underneath it, you’ll find a small cave with a lootable crate that doesn’t always spawn — but when it does, it’s usually worth the trouble. Similarly, on Fisk Factory, a submerged container near the shipping yard can be accessed by swimming during low-tide moments, often hiding blue or purple-tier weapons.
Finding these spots not only gives you an edge in looting but also rewards exploration and knowledge of the game’s geography. Developers have occasionally hinted on social media that more hidden locations exist than have been publicly discovered, keeping the community on edge and excited for updates.
Developer Easter Eggs and Inside Jokes
Bohemia Interactive developers clearly enjoy engaging with the community, and this is reflected in some of the insider jokes and developer shoutouts found in the game. During certain seasonal events, you might stumble upon unique outfits or graffiti with usernames or avatars known from community contests or streams.
A great example of this is the Viking Helmet cosmetic item introduced in a past Battle Pass. The helmet bears a faint signature on the inside from “Tomas,” a nod to one of the lead developers. Similarly, in the Shelter’s shooting range, hitting a specific sequence of targets used to trigger a soundbite of developers laughing — a lighthearted reward for players who explore every mechanic.
These developer nods give Vigor a personal touch, showing that its creators are not just making a game but building a community-driven world filled with humor, mystery, and respect for its fans.
