Dead Island 2 offers a plethora of side activities alongside the main story, and some quests unlock right away while others become available as you progress. This guide walks through how to begin and finish all side missions in the game and outlines the rewards you can earn along the way.
Dead Island 2 Guides
Track available tasks
Side Quests in Dead Island 2 appear gradually, which means a few can slip by unnoticed. The easiest way to spot them is to check the regional map occasionally, focusing on the El-Hey area.
Side Quests are indicated with a blue marker. To locate them, simply travel to the required region and track their positions on the map.
Killer party. How to restore power to the Curtis House
Area: Belair.
This is the first side mission players can tackle in Dead Island 2. After entering through the back door of a new friend’s house, follow the path forward and clear two zombie waves. At the gate on the right, a man speaks through the intercom. Answer him to trigger the quest.
After the gate opens, watch the scene with the dying girl and proceed to the mansion courtyard. Eliminate another wave of undead and speak with Curtis.
Curtis asks the player to restore electricity to power the elevator. Descend the stairs and open the door. Power the house using a water can, pouring water on the floor. The can is placed in the courtyard near the metal arch.
Kick the zombies off the roof
- Area: Belair.
The mission becomes available after visiting the Galperin Hotel. Return to the Goat Pen and locate a blogger named Amanda waiting on the penthouse roof.
To complete the task, finish several objectives for Amanda. Activate the music remote and prepare to fend off incoming zombie waves.
Kick the zombies off the roof
The method can vary. The simplest approach is to wait until the zombies approach within reach and then leap down from the roof. A swarm of brain eaters will chase you and, in the process, rank among those thrown from the roof.
Hit the limbs
A straightforward objective. Aim for arms or legs when striking the undead. For speed, you can target limbs on already defeated enemies to accelerate progress.
Burn zombies to death
If a Burning mod is not equipped, use the bonfires scattered on the roof. Lure the zombies close and let the flames finish them off.
Rex’s return. How to reach Farouk’s house
- Area: Beverly Hills.
This mission becomes available after completing the story quest The Chosen One. Return to the rocker’s house and speak with him. He will request a visit to the neighboring penthouse to locate the required documents.
The front door is locked, but keys aren’t needed. Circumvent the back of the building, find the generator, insert the battery, and wait for an explosion to block the path.
Total items collected include three plates spread across separate floors. Eliminate two officers and retrieve the file on the first floor. Climb to the second floor, break the boxes on the left, and switch off the generator. The plate lies on the other side. The final file is on the balcony on the third floor where a crowd of zombies awaits.
- Experience (2000);
- Prepper card “No pity”;
- Electric bar saw.
Ruinous Caustic X
- Area: Monarch Studio, Galperin Hotel.
This task can be picked up during the story mission Michael Anders and the Holy Grail. After defeating the boss, a distress signal on the radio can be answered to activate the search.
Return to the hotel and rush to the banquet hall where the boss fight occurred. Speak with Rav who waits on the balcony.
The quest giver asks you to locate documentation in the parking lot beside the ambulance. When you arrive, prepare to face the breaker. The needed files are in a container behind the fence on the right. Remove the acid spilled on the floor first.
Deliver the document to Rav and turn on the banquet hall music to distract the ghosts. After fending off a large wave of enemies, sprint to the pool and aim to push 14 zombies into the acid.
- Experience (2500);
- Rare liquidator change (melee);
- Alkaline bomb.
Ballad by Ricky Rex. How to find the key to Ricky’s kitchen
- Area: Beverly Hills.
This quest becomes available after finishing the main mission Red Mist. Return to Beverly Hills and re-engage with the rocker. He will assign a second side task.
Proceed to a hillside house in the region’s northwest to locate a musical instrument. The passage to the second floor is blocked, so lure infected with a key and eliminate him.
Ascend the stairs and locate the route to the room containing the guitar by moving along the left-side balcony.
- Experience (2000);
- Wolf god and whiskey.
Benefits of civilization. How to find whisky, wine and cigars
- Area: Belair.
When the quest becomes available, return to Emma’s mansion and speak with Curtis. He will ask you to inspect two penthouses in the same area and collect something to drink.
How to find expensive whiskey at Colt Swanson’s House
Return to the first mansion you explored at the game’s start. If you pay close attention, one room on the second floor in the western section is blocked off.
Upon entering, defeat the breaker and clear the two traps in the room. On the table beside the safe, pick up the remark.
Go to the first floor to grab a katana and defeat the infected Cindy. Return, open the safe, and take the drink.
How to find vintage wine in the goat pen
The wine is stored in a cellar on the ground floor of the penthouse. Here a Screamer and many ghosts lie in wait. Eliminate the Screamer and disable the alarm to avoid a prolonged battle. The bottle sits at the bottom of the central shelf.
How do you access the master bedroom and locate the cigars
Curtis’ final task is to locate a box of cigars in the master bedroom. Once inside, head to the computer desk. A door opens to the right, and two ghosts surge out. Defeat them to obtain the cigars.
- Experience (3000);
- Excellent rifle Peggy.
Dead silent. How to find a weapon chest
- Area: Venice Beach.
Visit the bar and speak with Trent. He directs you to inspect the nearby police station for weapons.
Enter the marked building. The door is locked with a magnetic seal; disable the lock to gain entry.
In the control room, select the key card and the cameras key. Move forward, then turn right toward the weapon storage. Grab another key at the reception window.
Open the safe and retrieve the green box from the floor. Hand the chest to Trent to complete the quest.
- Experience (3000);
- Money (500).
Other guides
- Dead Island 2 co-op guide – how to play with friends and whether progress carries over to the story in co-op mode
- All keys in Dead Island 2 – where to find keys for doors, safes, garages and lockers (updated)