Dead Island 2: How to Unlock the Secret 29th Mission “Neighborhood Watch”

Key Takeaways:

1. The secret mission, Vertical Slice, can only be unlocked in Neighborhood Watch mode.
2. Unlocking this mission requires finding hidden items over four in-game days.
3. Completing the mission rewards players with high XP and a fun Easter egg featuring zombified developers.

In Dead Island 2, you’ll find yourself once again navigating through a zombie-infested world with plenty of missions to tackle, new characters, and tons of undead mayhem. With the latest patch, players now have access to a thrilling new game mode called Neighborhood Watch, which brings a fresh approach to the game’s action-packed survival experience. Among its hidden features, players can unlock a secret 29th mission, the Vertical Slice, which is packed with challenges and XP rewards. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access this secret mission.

Unlocking the Secret Mission in Dead Island 2

The Vertical Slice mission is hidden within the Neighborhood Watch mode, requiring specific actions over several days. Follow this detailed guide to ensure you unlock it and get all available rewards.

Day 1: Collect the Unusual Coin

1. Play the Game Until the Day Ends: Progress through your gameplay until the end of the day or until your character needs to return to the safehouse.
2. Find the Unusual Coin: In the basement of your safehouse, check the shelves. Look for an unusual coin resting on top of a guitar case.
3. Activate the Arcade Machine: Take the coin to the arcade machine inside the safehouse and insert it. This will activate the first step for unlocking the secret mission.

Days 2 and 3: Locate the Secret Trophies

Over the next two days, you’ll need to find four secret trophies scattered across specific locations on two maps Speedway and Canals. These trophies spawn randomly in six possible spots, so you may need to search each area thoroughly to find them all.

• Speedway Map Locations:
  • River Delivery Warehouse: Look around the boxes stacked outside this warehouse.
  • Blue Two-Story House: Go up the stairs outside the blue house near the Fast Travel store to find a trophy.
  • Large White House: At the tunnel entrance to the sewers, enter the white house’s garden on the left. A trophy may be hidden in the bushes.
• Canals Map Locations:
  • Brown House Garage: From your spawn point, turn left and go to the garage of the brown house with a surveillance camera. A trophy may be on a table inside.
  • Ruined Blue/Purple House: After exiting the brown house, cross a nearby stream and check behind the ruined house where tires are stacked.
  • Red Building Near Dead End: Head to the southern part of the map. In front of the barricaded gate of a red building, you may find the last trophy.

Tip: Once you’ve located all four trophies, return to your safehouse and prepare for the final step.

Day 4: Place the Trophies and Unlock the Vertical Slice Mission

1. Return to Your Safehouse: After collecting all trophies, head back to your safehouse and place them on the shelf near the front door.
2. Visit the Mission Portal: With the trophies placed, check your mission portal for a new mission named Vertical Slice. This mission can appear in either the Speedway or Canals map, depending on your game progress.

Playing the Vertical Slice Mission

Once you’ve unlocked the Vertical Slice, it’s time to dive in! This mission is filled with a wave of challenging zombie encounters, culminating in a unique Easter egg where zombified versions of Dead Island 2 developers make an appearance. This is a great opportunity to rack up XP quickly, as the mission can be replayed, making it an effective XP farming tool.

Overview of Neighborhood Watch Mode in Dead Island 2

The new Neighborhood Watch mode shakes things up by introducing a five-day survival campaign where players defend the Bobcats’ base against increasingly intense zombie hordes. Here’s what you can expect:

1. New Playable Characters: Unlike the main campaign, Neighborhood Watch offers three unique characters:
   • Dez, the Chemist – Known for mixing deadly concoctions.
   • Rav, the Medic – Skilled at supporting teammates.
   • Bozzy, the Hunter – A sharpshooter with a focus on high-damage attacks.
2. Building a Strong Defense: Throughout each day, players must complete missions to earn traps and weapon upgrades for the final showdown. These defenses range from simple barricades to high-damage explosives that can make a significant difference in the endgame horde battle.
3. Final Horde Challenge: At the end of five days, players face the ultimate test in a tower-defense-style horde mode. Using the defenses set up throughout the campaign, players defend the Bobcats’ base from waves of zombies, putting their strategies and skills to the test.

FAQs

Q1: What rewards do I get for completing the Vertical Slice mission?
A: Completing the Vertical Slice mission grants you substantial XP, which is beneficial for leveling up faster. Additionally, you’ll get the chance to face off against Dead Island 2’s developers, who appear as zombies in an Easter egg encounter.

Q2: Can I repeat the Vertical Slice mission for more XP?
A: Yes, the mission can be repeated, making it an excellent choice for XP farming, especially for those looking to boost their progress in Neighborhood Watch mode.

Q3: What’s the main difference between Neighborhood Watch mode and the regular campaign?
A: Neighborhood Watch mode is structured around a five-day survival campaign focused on defending a base, with unique characters, defensive mechanics, and an intense final horde challenge, giving it a fresh twist on the standard zombie-slaying gameplay.

With the Neighborhood Watch mode and the hidden Vertical Slice mission, Dead Island 2 offers a new and exciting way to experience the game’s zombie apocalypse. From its unique characters to the layered strategy involved in defending against hordes, there’s plenty here for both new players and Dead Island veterans.