Right, So 'Meat Is Murder' In Borderlands 4 Is As Gnarly As It Sounds – Here's How To Not Get Minced
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Dive into Borderlands 4's 'Meat is Murder' quest, a delightfully grim detective story set on a former farm turned ripper hotspot, featuring unhelpful quest markers, malfunctioning meat grinders, and plenty of chaotic blasting for sweet XP and loot.
Alright, listen up, mates. I've been tinkering with the latest intel from Borderlands 4, and 'bloody hell,' some of these quest names are just *chef's kiss* in their absurdity. Today, we're diving headfirst into a little side quest called 'Meat is Murder.' And trust me, it's about as subtle as a psycho with a buzzaxe. You know that feeling when you accidentally summon a demon instead of making toast? Yeah, Gearbox just did that with a farm, apparently.
This isn't just a walk in the park; it's a stroll through a charnel house, an investigation into a serial killer, and, if you're like me, a brilliant excuse to blow a lot of things up. More importantly, it's a solid spot for bagging some sweet XP and maybe, just maybe, a decent new bang-bang for your arsenal. So, let's unpack this chaotic delight, shall we?
**Where the Carnage Kicks Off: Harper's Hideaway (It's Not Hiding Much Anymore)**
First things first, you'll want to point your digital steed towards Harper's Hideaway in the Fadefields region. Now, the name 'Hideaway' is a bit of a laugh, isn't it? Because it's not exactly, well, *hidden*. It's perched northwest of the Abandoned Outpost – that lovely spot you clear out after the 'Recruitment Drive' main quest. You know, once you've earned your stripes and the right to use an elevator (because, priorities, right?).
Fair warning, though: don't go waltzing in there expecting bucolic tranquility. Those days are long gone, much like my chances of winning the lottery. Harper's Hideaway is now a thriving hotspot for 'rippers' – and I don't mean the kind that help you fix a faulty circuit board. These are the flesh-hungry, 'I'm going to turn you into dog food' kind. So, load up, prep your preferred flavour of elemental damage, and reckon on a bit of a rumble.
Oh, and a quick tip from your friendly neighbourhood digital wizard: hold off on this quest until you've got yourself a vehicle. There's a fair bit of trekking involved, and doing it on foot is like trying to cross a continent on a pogo stick. Your trusty digibike (or whatever magnificent wheeled monstrosity you prefer) will make this whole affair a whole lot smoother. It's about efficiency, mate, even when you're knee-deep in gore.
**Meeting Byron and the Mystery of the Malfunctioning Meat Grinder**
Once you're all geared up and ready to tango, clear out the rippers lurking outside and inside the barn. After that, look to the right of the barn entrance. You'll spot some barricading beams – give 'em a good old-fashioned blast. Inside, you'll find Byron, a chap who's clearly had a worse day than you. He'll treat you to a lengthy, unskippable tale of woe (classic Borderlands, eh?), detailing the unfortunate demise of his cousin. Once he asks for your help identifying the killer, congratulations! You've officially accepted 'Meat is Murder' as a side quest.
Now, here's where it gets interesting – or, depending on your patience levels, slightly infuriating. The game, in its infinite wisdom, leaves you mostly to your own devices. No helpful quest markers lighting up the path, minimal guidance from Byron – just you and a barn full of grisly clues. It's like a particularly gruesome game of 'I Spy,' only the 'I Spy' involves dismembered body parts and a suspicious vehicle. But hey, it keeps you on your toes, right?
Your first task is to investigate four key points of interest within this charming barn:
* The ripper vehicle, half-buried in the ground, chilling out in the left-centre. * A tally board – probably not tracking daily chores – to the left of the entrance, in the southeast corner (conveniently behind said ripper vehicle). * A table adorned with various dismembered body parts, right in front of a very menacing meat grinder. Lovely. * And finally, the corpse of an animal, just hanging out near the barn's entrance.
Once you've poked, prodded, and probably recoiled from all four pieces of 'evidence,' mosey on over to the radio on the table next to the aforementioned limbs. Brace yourself for a truly unhinged monologue from our mysterious killer. After that delightful auditory experience, Byron will pipe up, asking you to lend a hand in getting what's left of his cousin out of the grinder. The switch is on the platform to your left, but – shocker! – it's malfunctioning. Because, of course, it is. Byron, ever the problem-solver, suggests you go out back and 'blow up the coolant regulators.' Fair dinkum, Byron, fair dinkum.
Exit the barn through the door to the right of the grinder. You'll see a coolant tank. Open the hatch on either side, give the regulator device inside a good blast with your weapon (or, for the theatrically inclined, a grenade), and then repeat the process on the other side. Nothing says 'fixing things' quite like explosive demolition, eh?
**The Aftermath and the Elusive Waterfall Cave**
Head back into the barn, shoot down the body (because that's just how we roll in Borderlands), and investigate Harper's remains. As if on cue, more rippers decide to crash the party. Deal with them, because that's what heroes do, and then your next destination is a tool shop. It's plonked right in the middle of the Fadefields, south of a place called Fishin' Spot (ironic, considering the last 'fishing' we did involved human remains). Speak to the sole person milling about outside the shop – and seriously, don't forget to restock your ammo. You're going to need it.
The grand finale takes you further north, to a rather large ripper encampment called Plungeford. Now, pay attention here, because the objective description is a bit of a trick. It says the cave is 'behind a waterfall,' but it's not *behind* it in the traditional sense, nor any of the smaller waterfalls. The cave you're looking for is *next to* a waterfall at the very top of the settlement. You can either be a completionist and clear out every single ripper for a hefty XP boost (my kind of chaos!), or you can just bolt straight for the cave entrance, consequences be damned. Your call, Vault Hunter.
Inside, you'll find Zeke, a devoted follower of the murderer – but not the main event himself. Put Zeke down, listen to another radio monologue from the actual killer (they really love their monologues, don't they?), and just like that, the quest is done. Phew. You've earned a well-deserved virtual pint.
**The Spoils of (Not So) War**
For your efforts in navigating this delightfully deranged quest, you'll snag a decent haul:
* A wad of cash (always handy, even in a post-apocalyptic wasteland). * Some precious Eridium (because who doesn't love glowing purple crystals?). * A healthy dose of experience points (for all that monster-mashing and detective work). * And a pistol, which could be anything from uncommon to rare, or if the digital gods smile upon you, epic.
In my experience, the cash and XP seem to scale with your level when you complete the quest, which is a nice touch. And as for that pistol? Well, that's where the RNG wizardry comes in, mate. You might get a legendary piece of kit, or you might end up with something that feels like it was cobbled together from a rusty can and a prayer. If you're feeling particularly grindy, you can always replay the mission via your ECHO-4 menu – just head to the 'missions' tab and find it under 'replayable missions.' More XP, more chances for that epic pistol, more chaos. What's not to love?
So there you have it, a journey into the grim, unhinged heart of Borderlands 4's 'Meat is Murder' quest. It's a prime example of Borderlands at its best: dark humour, plenty of blasting, and just enough mystery to keep you curious. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear the distant thrumming of another 'revolutionary' blockchain game announcement – better go apply some gentle skepticism. Until next time, stay curious, and keep those guns blazing!
*(Originally reported by Polygon)*
Tags: Borderlands 4, Quest Guide, Gaming, Looter Shooter, Walkthrough
Original article: Polygon