High on Life was a real marmite game. Its brand of Rick and Morty humour either struck a chord with you or left you feeling flat, and that shaped how you saw the whole thing, as it was about 80% jokes and 20% gameplay. So it’s a bit of a surprise that we’re getting a sequel in High on Life 2. It looks to keep the absurdity, the fourth-wall breaks and the fearless weirdness of the first game, but aims to refine it and maybe dial things back just a little.
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High on Life didn’t just flirt with comedy, it’s happily married to it. Talking guns, outrageous aliens and a universe that felt like it was written during a caffeine-fuelled fever dream while binge-watching Rick and Morty. But High on Life 2 isn’t simply retelling the same jokes. The sequel tries to evolve the formula in bold and unexpected ways.
Jokes Uber Alles
If you’re here for a tightly woven narrative, you may once again find it taking second place. The story shifts from you being the universe’s most celebrated hero to a wanted outlaw after breaking the bounty hunter code to protect your sister, Lizzie.
Set roughly five years after the first game, you’re caught in a new intergalactic conspiracy involving Rhea Pharmaceuticals, an evil corporation producing a human-based antidepressant called Humanzapro.
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The stakes are technically higher, but the plot mostly serves as a vehicle for the humour rather than something truly gripping. Not every joke lands for me. Comedy is subjective, and while much of the writing is sharp and knowingly ridiculous, the constant chatter can feel overwhelming. Sometimes you just want your guns to take a breath and let you shoot instead of talking back.
There are flashes of clever satire and a few surprisingly sharp character moments, but the pacing can feel uneven. It could have been a memorable sci-fi epic, yet it’s more interested in delivering punchlines.
Gameplay a Close Second
Where it stumbles slightly on storytelling, it doubles down on gameplay. High on Life 2 feels smoother, tighter and far more confident in its gunplay, which is a huge improvement, as the original’s shooting was arguably its weakest element.
Movement has been refined with better dash mechanics, new vertical traversal tools and larger combat arenas that encourage experimentation. It’s no longer just about standing back and listening to your weapon argue with you mid-firefight. Now it’s about blending abilities while chaos erupts around you. The biggest change is your skateboard, used for both movement and combat.
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The new roster of living weapons is once again the star. Each gun doesn’t just talk, it evolves. Upgrades, abilities and situational special attacks add layers that weren’t there before. One moment you’re juggling enemies with gravity rounds, the next you’re chaining bio-explosions that clear a room in seconds.
Commitment to Improvement
Combat is far more dynamic. Arenas are more vertical, and encounters push you to keep moving rather than rely on one tactic.
Boss fights are a clear step up: inventive, loud and often hilariously self-aware, without losing the sense of challenge. You never quite know what’s coming next, including the boss who shrinks into your suit and forces you to fight him through menus.
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Exploration has also expanded. The sequel moves away from smaller hubs and introduces wider, semi-open zones filled with secrets, side contracts and absurd NPC encounters.
From neon-drenched alien cities to bizarre organic landscapes that feel alive, there’s always something strange waiting around the corner.
High on Visuals
Visually, High on Life 2 looks great. Environments pop with colour, character models are more detailed, and the alien designs are as grotesque as ever.
Sound plays a huge role again. Weapons react dynamically to your playstyle, enemies taunt you mid-fight, and environmental cues subtly guide exploration. It’s chaotic but oddly directed.
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It’s worth noting that the game is in a rough state right now, with frame rate drops, occasional freezing when things get hectic, and several points where you can soft lock the game and need to restart a level. Some players have even been soft locked so badly they’ve had to restart the entire game. Squanch Games say a fix is coming, so hopefully it’ll be resolved soon.
Strong Sequel
High on Life 2 feels like a sequel that understands what worked and tries to fix what didn’t. It’s louder, bigger and mechanically stronger, even if it still hides behind its humour instead of pushing its narrative further.
For returning players, it’s a confident evolution that sharpens the shooting and expands the universe in satisfying ways. For newcomers, it’s wild and weird, but ultimately an FPS that stands out in a crowded genre.
It may not reinvent the wheel, but it certainly sets those wheels on fire while dragging you through a never-ending comedy festival, all with an old couple bickering nonstop in front of you.
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