High On Life 2 Review – A Wild Sequel That Doubles Down on Chaos and Comedy
Bigger, Weirder, and Still Completely Unhinged
Squanch Games clearly wasn’t interested in playing it safe for the sequel. High On Life 2 takes the “more is more” approach, doubling down on the absurdity that made the first one a cult hit. It’s louder, the explosions are flashier, and the humor is just as polarizing as ever. If you hated the first one, this won’t convert you—but if you’re down for a chaotic sci-fi fever dream, it’s a blast.
The Story: From Hero to Target
You’re still the silent bounty hunter, but now you’re dealing with the headache of galactic fame. The plot kicks off when a corporate conspiracy (mostly mocking Big Pharma) drags you back into the gutter. It’s not exactly The Last of Us in terms of emotional depth, but it doesn’t need to be. The writing is sharp enough to keep you moving between planets without feeling like the story is just filler.
Combat & The Gatlian Family
The talking guns are back, and honestly, they’re still the best part of the game. They aren’t just tools; they’re your ride-or-die companions who won’t shut up while you’re blowing heads off.
The Synergy: The real fun starts when you combo their abilities. I found myself freezing enemies mid-air just to yank them into hazards with the whip.
The Feel: It feels faster and more “expressive” than the first game. You aren’t just pulling a trigger; you’re managing a chaotic, foul-mouthed orchestra.
Movement: Why Walk When You Can Skate?
The biggest game-changer is the skateboard. It replaces the standard sprint and completely changes how you navigate the world. Grinding rails and hitting jumps makes the larger maps feel less like a chore to cross. It’s not perfectly polished—I definitely clipped into a few walls and had some awkward “sticky” grinds—but when it works, the flow is incredible.
The “Love It or Hate It” Humor
Look, the humor is still the elephant in the room. It’s relentless. One minute it’s a brilliant meta-joke about game design, and the next it’s a five-minute bit about alien fluids.
My Take: The pacing feels a bit better this time around. The jokes have more room to breathe, so you aren’t constantly being screamed at while trying to solve a puzzle.
The Verdict (So Far)
The game has some rough edges—I noticed some frame drops in the denser hub cities and a few bugs that required a checkpoint restart—but the sheer personality of the thing carries it through.
High On Life 2 knows exactly what it is. It’s a confident, colorful, and frequently hilarious shooter that rewards you for leaning into the weirdness. It’s a solid step up from the original in almost every way.
