You’re running through a sun-drenched, blood-soaked Beverly Hills, and all you can think about is a guy named Michael. If you’ve played Dead Island 2, you know exactly what I’m talking about. "O Michael, Where Art Thou?" isn't just a clever play on the Coen Brothers' movie title; it’s the seventh main story mission that catches a lot of players off guard because of its sudden shift in pace.
Honestly, it's one of those quests that feels like a wild goose chase at first. You're looking for Michael Anders, Emma Jaunt's long-suffering personal assistant, and the game basically forces you to play detective in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. It’s weirdly domestic. One minute you're decapitating a walker with a machete, and the next, you're looking for spare keys in a kitchen.
What Actually Happens in the Mission?
The whole thing kicks off at Emma’s mansion in Bel-Air. You find out Michael has bolted. He’s headed to his place in Beverly Hills because he’s overwhelmed by the Slayers and the general end-of-the-world vibes.
To get to him, you have to fight through a military checkpoint. This is where things get real. You’ll run into a named Crusher called the Checkpoint Guard. Kill him, grab the Hills Checkpoint Pass, and you’re officially in Beverly Hills.
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The house itself is a mess. Michael isn't there, of course. You have to investigate "points of interest" like an answering machine and some address cards. It turns out Michael went to visit someone named Jessie Kwon. This sets up the next leg of the journey, leading you to a showdown in a construction zone that is, frankly, a bit of a nightmare if you aren't prepared for the "Swarm" walkers.
Why the Reference Matters
The title is obviously a riff on O Brother, Where Art Thou?, which itself is a riff on Homer’s The Odyssey. It’s a bit of meta-humor from Dambuster Studios. Michael is basically on his own "odyssey" through Hell-A, trying to find some semblance of normalcy or safety while you, the Slayer, are just trying to keep the plan from falling apart.
Most people get frustrated here because they expect a straight shot to the next boss. Instead, the game makes you slow down. You have to look at trash cans. You have to read notes. It builds the world. It shows that Michael isn't just a quest marker; he’s a guy who was terrified and tried to go home.
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Tips for Beating the Beverly Hills Section
- The Grenadier Trick: When you get to the checkpoint, don't just swing wildly. Use the Shuriken Curveball to hit the Grenadier Walkers in the chest. They’ll explode and do most of the work for you.
- Don't ignore the windows: You can't get into Michael's house through the front door. It’s locked. Look for the smashed window to the left.
- Circuit Breakers: Later in the quest at Jessie’s house, you’ll need to find circuit breakers to close gates. They’re usually sitting right in the garage or on nearby shelves. Grab them fast. Zombies don't wait for you to finish your chores.
The Michael Mystery
Is Michael actually important? Kinda. He’s the bridge between the celebrity world of Emma Jaunt and the actual survival mechanics of the game. Without finding him, you don't get to the Kwon family, and without the Kwons, you don't progress toward the cure.
The mission ends with a lead on Jessie, which leads into the "Kwon With the Wind" quest. It’s a classic breadcrumb trail.
If you're stuck looking for the keys in the house, check the kitchen note board first. Then, look in the trash can. It’s a classic "hidden in plain sight" moment that makes you feel like a bit of an idiot when you finally find them after ten minutes of circling the living room.
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How to Prepare for the Next Steps
Once you finish tracking Michael to Jessie's, the difficulty spikes. You’ll start seeing more "Apex" variants. Make sure your weapons are leveled up to your current rank. If you’re still using a level 5 pipe in a level 8 zone, you’re going to have a bad time.
Go to a workbench. Mod your weapons with electricity. Since there are a lot of water sources in Beverly Hills (pools, broken pipes), electrical damage is your best friend. Throw a battery into a puddle and watch the walkers dance. It’s satisfying and keeps you from getting swamped.
Check your inventory for the Hills Checkpoint Pass before leaving the military zone. If you somehow miss it, you'll be running in circles at the gate wondering why the keypad isn't working. It drops directly from the big Crusher guy—don't leave his loot on the ground.
Next Steps:
- Head to the Beverly Hills workbench to apply the Electrocutor mod to your primary melee weapon.
- Ensure you have the Shuriken Curveball equipped for the checkpoint fight.
- Focus on the Trash Can in Michael’s kitchen if you can't find the spare keys to the locked room.