High on Life 2

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.

Enemies are also a bit more varied this time, with bounty hunter baddies donning suits that can split apart after death, creating more threats. The bosses, however, remain a sore point. The bullet-spongey feel of the original bosses returns, coupled with some awkward (and in a few cases, glitchy) transitions between phases. Even in the sequel, bosses generally feature a small moveset that is easy to counter and stay ahead of after learning their patterns in less than 30 seconds. I also had a few hitbox issues with some bosses, which are much more noticeable than when shredding through meatshie...

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.

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.