High on Life 2

It’s been a decent break since Squanch Games’ comical High On Life initially debuted. I had a complete blast with it, with its explorable worlds and fun-to-use arsenal of talkative guns, but the question remains if they can nail that magic a second time. With High On Life 2, they show that they’ve still got a few jokes left up their sleeves.

High On Life 2 is right on time. At a moment in time that seems increasingly bleak, Squanch Games’ latest project has dropped in to let you escape for a bit, laughing like an idiot while you do so. The typical Squanch brand of humor – the kind you might see on Adult Swim shows like Rick and Morty and Smiling Friends – runs rampant through dialogue, visual gags, and unexpected story twists. Combat and movement feel terrific thanks to the new skateboard system, the world has enough hid...

High On Life 2 is here and it's jam-packed, over-the-top, and absolutely ridiculous so whip out your talking guns and let's get shooting.

High On Life 2 is a better-executed version of the first game. The skateboard does add some extra flavor to the gameplay, but it ultimately still is very similar to the core concept of the first game.

The original High on Life from 2022 asked a simple question: What would it look like if you took the random, bleak comedic style of Rick and Morty and parodied video games rather than classic sci-fi films and TV? The answer: a first-person shooter with sweary guns, of course.

The other side of High on Life 2's gameplay is the big set pieces that show up a few times, and this part of the game is a huge success. There's a battle with Muppy Doo that stands as one of the best boss fights in recent memory. I won’t spoil the different twists and turns, but it’s one of the most meta fights I’ve ever played.

Funny in bursts, regularly creative, yet held back by distinctly average combat and poor exploration elements. High on Life 2 is a surreal trip well worth taking, although you'll need to adjust your expectations accordingly. Do that, and it'll regularly put a (sometimes guilty) smile on your face.

High on Life 2 is an incredibly fun and fast-paced space shooter with witty dialogue and interesting characters, though its linear storyline and small areas paired with the occasional technical issue held it back from its full potential.

High on Life 2’s biggest issue outside of technical issues, is that the new additions to the game feel so counter intuitive and work against what made the first game such a cult hit.

The sequel to Squanch Games' detestable FPS demonstrates significant improvement, though its biggest features remain its weakest - and technical issues hinder the progress made.

What would come next after you’ve successfully taken down the biggest drug cartel in the galaxy, saving humanity ? Well, fame for you and your talking alien guns, some degree of fortune, your sister ending up in more trouble with aliens, and plenty more stabby bounty hunting, if the opening to High on Life 2 is anything to go by.

High on Life 2 accomplishes an incredibly rare feat, as it's a sequel that improves every single aspect of the original while forging its own unique path. The addition of the skateboard is a game changer, and the majestic insanity that you can concoct is just oodles of fun. Squanch Games had a lot of work to do in order to both distance itself from its creator and ensure the foundation was solid, which they did in spades. High on Life 2's absurd story, impeccable combat and beautiful world are just a few reasons to explore this sinfully funny shooter.