As an avid Dead Island fan who has sunk endless hours into slicing and dicing zombies, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Dead Island 2 beta. The long-awaited sequel retains the frantic first-person survival horror action that made the franchise famous.
One area that caught my attention is the vast open neighborhood of Bel Air. Players can explore alleyways, shops, restaurants and glitzy mansions scattered along the palm tree-lined streets. But even more intriguing are the four varied side quests available in Bel Air offering substantial rewards.
In this guide crafted specially for my fellow passionate zombie hunters, I‘ll provide a comprehensive walkthrough to blasting through these bonus missions with finesse.
The Perks of Bel Air Side Content
Before jumping into the individual walkthroughs, let‘s discuss why these side jobs warrant your attention:
XP and Weapon Rewards
Each side mission grants fat stacks of XP to level up quicker. Specialized melee weapons and firearms like the Golf Club or Big Shot revolver are also up for grabs. These items add flair to your arsenal.
Environment Diversity
The quests transport players across the socioeconomic spectrum from underground sewers to glittering penthouses. This keeps the backdrop feeling fresh.
Lore and Backstory
Side hustles fill in details regarding key characters plus the origins of the zombie virus itself to better understand the unfolding calamity.
Gameplay Variety
Tasks range from methodical walkthroughs to hectic siege holdouts, adding plenty of diversity to the standard zombie bashing.
Let‘s now drill down into conquering each unique side quest available in the Bel Air vicinity. I‘ve ranked them in order of personal enjoyment:
#1 – The Death of The Party
Kicking things off we have The Death of The Party which takes you to a modern mansion occupied by the charismatic Curtis. Too bad he forgot to cancel the soirée beforehand!
Overview: Clear out Curtis‘s undead guests from his multistory home.
Rewards: Golf Club, 1000 XP
Step #1: Power Up The House
Head south down Access Rd #782 and use the intercom at the mansion gate to meet Curtis.
Enter the grounds and battle through the front gardens. Ascend to Curtis on his balcony perch overlooking the lobby.
Restore electricity in the basement control room so Curtis can access the house interior.
The expansive mansion interior is overrun by ravenous undead.
Step #2: Exterminate All Zombies
Follow Curtis‘s instructions to enter the rear of the home then fight room-to-room through the ground floor.
Utilize fire hazards like gas ovens to inflict burn DoT against the mobs. The spacious environment permits kiting strategies.
Check the second level balcony after clearing the adjacent rooms. Sadly the stairway was destroyed precluding access.
Numerous zombies still lurk on the off-limits second floor.
- After purging all accessible rooms of zombies, speak to Curtis again for your just rewards!
My Take: This multi-stage eradication task was a blast since the mansion enabled verticality and tight corners for tactical play.
#2 – It‘s Not Your Fault
Here we dive underground into the sewage tunnels, overcoming traps and foes to secure some hidden seismic tech.
Overview: Infiltrate the depths and retrieve key data from four hidden seismometers.
Rewards: Big Shot Revolver, 3500 XP
Step #1: The Tunnel Descent
Fast travel east of the Bel Air safezone to the Brentwood Sewer entrance.
Check your step – explosive floor traps line the entry tunnel! Shoot them before crossing.
Overcome zombies and locate Scanner Alpha in the first sealed chamber. Hack it to download the seismic data.
Step #2: Locate The Remaining Scanners
Back on the main sewer artery, go straight across to the room with Bravo. Find the key item to unlock access.
Return topside then head downstream to battle through new mobs guarding Scanner Gamma. Grab its data and nearby scientist notes.
Seek out the humanoid mini-boss carrying Scanner Delta‘s room key. Breach the final chamber and score the payload!
My Take: The subterranean setting made for refreshing backdrops. Uncovering the virus intel before the military proved rewarding lore-wise.
#3 – Creature Comforts
Our wheelchair-bound buddy Curtis goes stir crazy and dispatches you to fetch some first-class liquor from a neighbor‘s manor.
Overview: Plunder premium party provisions from the zombie-infested estates nearby.
Rewards: Peggy SMG, 3000 XP
Step #1: Procure the Whiskey
Head north up Alpine Road and enter the grounds of Swanson Manor.
Eliminate the warehouse stockroom zombies after grabbing the Delivery Notice item.
Ascend to the besieged West Wing on floor two. Defeat the zombies then unlock the Glen McKenna whiskey.
Once pristine mansions now house undead squatters and precious liquor reserves.
Step #2: Collect Wine and Cigars
Travel further north to the sports car house then battle upstairs to their coveted wine cellar.
Break into the sealed room and snag the vintage Cabernet Sauvignon.
Punch through nearby solariums to collect Curtis‘s favorite Cuban cigar box.
My Take: The contrast between opulence and carnage fueledadapters the offbeat escapades. Entertainment value over immersion here.
#4 – #Clickbait
A social media personality arranges a twisted filming session – with you as the star!
Overview: Aid a vlogger‘s zombie video uploads by battling the hordes.
Rewards: 1500 XP
Step #1: Social Media Mayhem
Head to the waypoint terrace overlooking Alpine Road. Meet your director Amanda there.
Activate the speakers to trigger a zombie assault. Kick the clingy corpses off the perimeter while Amanda films.
Next you‘re instructed to simple slaughter the mobs as they approach while the camera rolls.
Step #2: Light ‘Em Up!
For the big finale stunt, shunt advancing zombies into scattered fires around the area then let them crisp.
Exterminate enough Deep Fried zombies to satisfy director Amanda and conclude the shoot!
My Take: This mission was absolutely ludicrous yet tackling the endless zombies proved quite the adrenaline ride!
Wrapping Up the Bel Air Side Hustles
I found myself replay the bonus missions across Bel Air even more than the core story quests. The diverse settings, enemies, and outlandish premises kept gameplay feels fresh. Chasing the rare loot drops and big XP payouts by conquering the escalating challenges proved madly rewarding.
So if you‘re seeking enriching adventures beyond pursuing storyline tasks in Dead Island 2, look no further than the quartet of thrill rides in Bel Air! Tally your zombie kill count after barging through the ensanguined gates of Curtis‘s doomed soiree. Or wade through the depths of chaos underneath Los Angeles hunting for clues behind the outbreak.
Just be sure to stockpile plenty of Medkits beforehand!
