You're wandering through the sun-drenched, blood-soaked streets of Beverly Hills, and suddenly, a radio starts blaring. It isn't just any noise. It's the start of a side quest that feels a bit more like detective work than the usual zombie-slaying. If you’ve been trying to Dead Island 2 investigate Beauty and the Beat, you probably know that it’s one of those missions where the game doesn't exactly hold your hand.
It starts at a radio. Specifically, a radio near the entrance of the Roxanne’s house area. You hear a voice—Rikky Rex. He’s a former rockstar who’s more concerned about his riffs and his gear than the fact that Los Angeles (or "HELL-A") has gone to absolute ruin. He needs you to find his friend, or rather, his bandmate, and a very specific set of equipment.
Where to Actually Start the Investigation
The quest triggers after you've made some decent progress in the main story, usually after you've dealt with the initial chaos in Beverly Hills and met Rikky. You'll find the prompt by interacting with a radio. Honestly, the most confusing part isn't the zombies; it's the vague waypoints.
You’re looking for a house that looks like every other multimillion-dollar mansion in the hills, but this one is "The Farouk Residence." It's north of Roxanne’s place. Most players run right past it because they’re busy dodging "Walkers" or "Shamblers." Look for the house with the large curved driveway and the inevitable pile of luggage out front.
Once you get there, the gate is locked. Of course it is. This is Dead Island 2, after all. You'll need to find a way in, which usually involves some light parkour or finding a side entrance near the garage.
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Finding the Clues Without Getting Eaten
Once you're inside the Farouk residence, the "investigate" part of Dead Island 2 investigate Beauty and the Beat actually kicks in. You aren't just looking for a person; you're looking for signs of life, or at least, signs of what happened before the music stopped.
There are three main items you need to interact with to progress the quest bar. First, check the kitchen area. There’s a note or a piece of evidence sitting on the counter—classic environmental storytelling. It hints at the tension between the band members. Farouk wasn't exactly thrilled about the apocalypse, and he certainly wasn't thrilled about Rikky’s lack of planning.
Next, head upstairs. You’ll find more "investigation" spots in the bedrooms. One is a discarded lyric sheet. It’s flavor text, mostly, but the game won't let you move on until you've "looked" at it. The third clue is usually located near the balcony or the back office area.
The Ambush at the Pool
After you’ve poked around the house, the game decides you’ve had too much peace and quiet. You’ll be prompted to go to the pool area. This is where the "Beat" part of the quest title starts to make sense, though it’s less about music and more about the rhythm of your blunt-force weapons hitting skull.
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A wave of zombies will spawn. It’s not a massive horde, but in the tight confines of a backyard patio, it can get hairy. You’ll likely face a few "Runners" and maybe a "Slobber" if the game is feeling particularly mean that day. Use the environment. There’s usually a hose or some spilled water—hit it with an electrical modded weapon and watch the pool area turn into a giant bug zapper.
Locating Farouk and the Master Tapes
The investigation eventually leads you away from the main house. You’ll follow a trail of... well, let’s call it "band drama." You’ll end up at a small shed or side building near the edge of the property.
Inside, you’ll find Farouk. Or what’s left of him. He’s turned. It’s a bit of a bummer if you were hoping for a heartwarming reunion, but this is a zombie game. Put him out of his misery. Once he’s down, make sure to loot his body for the key or the specific item Rikky asked for—the master tapes.
These tapes are the "Beauty" in this scenario, I guess. To Rikky, they’re worth more than gold. To you, they’re just the thing that gets you that sweet, sweet XP and maybe a decent weapon mod.
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Why This Quest Triggers Some Players
A lot of people get stuck on the "investigate" phase because the interaction prompts in Dead Island 2 can be a bit finicky. If the quest bar isn't filling up, it’s usually because you missed a tiny glowing magnifying glass icon on a piece of paper or a wine bottle.
Also, the game sometimes glitches if you kill the zombies too fast during the pool sequence. If the objective doesn't update, try walking to the very edge of the search zone and coming back in. It usually forces the AI to realize the fight is over.
Key Rewards for Completion
Is it worth it? Yeah. You get a decent chunk of experience points, which is vital if you're trying to hit the level cap to use those legendary weapons. More importantly, it clears the map of that nagging radio icon.
- Experience: Usually around 3,000 XP depending on your current level.
- Cash: A few thousand dollars to spend on repairs at the workbench.
- Weapon: Often rewards a Rare or Superior quality melee weapon.
Wrapping Up the Beverly Hills Drama
The final step is just heading back to Rikky. He’s usually lounging back at Roxanne’s place, acting like he didn't just send you into a deathtrap for some old recordings. Give him the tapes, listen to his dialogue, and collect your loot.
Actionable Steps for Players:
- Check the Map: If the radio isn't chirping, you might need to finish the main quest "O Michael, Where Art Thou?" first.
- Clear the House: Don't try to investigate while zombies are nibbling on your ankles. Clear the interior of the Farouk residence completely before clicking on the clues.
- Look for Glows: The clues for Dead Island 2 investigate Beauty and the Beat have a faint white shimmer. If you're stuck, turn off your flashlight; sometimes the glare makes the shimmer harder to see.
- Check the Garage: Often, a stray zombie is stuck behind the garage door, preventing the "Clear the Area" objective from completing. Give the door a kick or throw a pipe bomb near it.
Once the tapes are handed over, the quest officially closes. You're free to head back into the sun and find the next survivor with a ridiculous request.