High On Life 2

A Hilarious Return: High On Life 2 Review

If you've ever wished your arsenal would roast you as much as it roasts your enemies, Squanch Games is back with High On Life 2 for Windows. This sequel picks up right where the original left off—dropping you into a bizarre, colorful universe where every gun has a personality (and an opinion). It's not trying to be the next Call of Duty; it's a comedy-first, action-second adventure that knows exactly how ridiculous it is. I spent the last week blasting through alien goons and laughing at my own demise, and here's what I found.

Guns with Attitude – The Core Gimmick

The standout feature of High On Life 2 is, without a doubt, the sentient weapons. Each gun talks, quips, and sometimes argues with you mid-combat. The new additions—like a sarcastic sniper rifle that mocks your aim and a shotgun that refuses to fire until you tell it a joke—are genuinely creative. The dialogue is written by the same team behind the original, so expect the same brand of self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking humor. It's not for everyone—if you're not a fan of rapid-fire pop culture references or absurdist comedy, the guns might grate. But for those who loved the first game, it's like reuniting with an old, obnoxious friend. The voice acting is top-notch (yes, Justin Roiland returns for some characters), and the script has real wit. A missed shot isn't just a mistake; it's a punchline. That novelty keeps the gunplay feeling fresh even after ten hours.

Exploration That Rewards Curiosity

Beyond the shooting galleries, the world of High On Life 2 is a dense, interconnected playground. You're free to wander through alien cities, space stations, and bizarre biomes, each packed with hidden audio logs, side quests, and optional bosses. The movement is snappy—dash, double-jump, and grapple hook are all here—and the map design encourages vertical exploration. One of my favorite moments was discovering a secret room behind a waterfall that held a talking fish who gave me a side quest to steal a rival's hat. That's the kind of weirdness you sign up for. Puzzle solving is light but satisfying: you often need to use a specific gun's ability (like the pistol's laser cutter or the submachine gun's time-slow effect) to unlock new areas. The learning curve is shallow—you'll get the hang of movement and weapon swapping in the first hour—but the optional content adds depth for completionists.

User Experience: Polished but Familiar

On Windows, the game runs smoothly. I tested it on a mid-range rig (Ryzen 5, GTX 1660, 16GB RAM) and maintained a steady 60 fps at 1080p high settings. Load times are reasonable, and I encountered only one crash in 20 hours, which the auto-save handled gracefully. The UI is clean and unobtrusive: health and ammo overlays are minimal, and the mission tracker sits neatly in the corner without cluttering the screen. One criticism: the PC settings menu is a bit sparse. You get resolution, graphics presets, and FOV slider, but no advanced options like ray tracing or DLSS. It works, but it feels like a console port in that regard. Also, the humor can be hit-or-miss—some jokes land, others feel like filler. If you've played the first game, you'll know exactly what to expect: it's more of the same, for better or worse.

What Makes It Different from Other Action-Adventures

Most shooters take themselves seriously. High On Life 2 treats its own story as a joke. The villain isn't a terrifying warlord; he's a whiny, melodramatic alien who livestreams his monologues. The “save the universe” plot is constantly undercut by absurd detours, like needing to collect 10 rubber chickens for a space bureaucrat. This irreverence is its unique strength. It's not about realism or cinematic tension—it's about making you laugh while you blow things up. The weapons themselves are a masterclass in integration: they don't just shoot bullets, they comment on the environment, your performance, and even the game's code. That kind of player engagement is rare. If you're tired of gritty, gray military shooters, this is a refreshing, colorful antidote.

Recommendation: Should You Play It?

Yes, if you liked the original or enjoy comedy-heavy experiences. It's a solid 15-20 hour campaign with enough optional content for another 10. The core loop—explore, shoot, laugh—is satisfying. However, if you didn't vibe with the first game's humor, this won't change your mind. It's also not a technical powerhouse: no ray tracing, no HDR-enhanced cinematics. But if you value personality over polish, High On Life 2 delivers in spades. For the price (around $40-50 on the Microsoft Store), it's a fair deal, especially if you wait for a sale. Pair it with a friend who enjoys offbeat humor—watching each other's reactions to the gun dialogue is half the fun. Just remember: the guns are listening, so maybe don't criticize them out loud.

FAQ

How do I start a new game and transfer my save data from the first High On Life?

Launch the game and select 'New Game' from the main menu. If you have a save from the first game, choose 'Import Save' under the 'Load Game' option to carry over your progress and unlock bonus content.

What are the default controls for shooting, stabbing, and skating, and can I remap them?

Default controls: RT for shoot, RB for melee, and LS click for skate. Go to Settings > Controls > Customize to remap any action. You can also adjust sensitivity and toggle auto-aim under Settings > Gameplay.

How do I save my progress manually and what happens if I die mid-mission?

The game autosaves at checkpoints and mission milestones. You can also save manually via the pause menu: Save Game > Save Slot. If you die, you respawn at the last checkpoint with partial health and ammo.

How do I switch between different alien weapons and use their unique abilities?

Hold the weapon wheel button (LB) and select a gun with the right stick. Each weapon has a special ability: press RB while aiming to activate it (e.g., the Knife's throw, the Pistol's laser). Upgrade abilities in the Weapon Lab menu.

What is the best strategy for taking down the pharmaceutical conglomerate's armored enemies?

Focus on weak spots marked by glowing red areas. Use the Skate ability to evade their attacks and flank them. Equip the shotgun for close-range burst damage, and the trickster gun to distract groups. Check the Bestiary for enemy weaknesses.

How do I explore the galaxy and travel to new planets in High On Life 2?

Open your star map from the pause menu (Map > Galaxy View). Select a planet or sector with an active bounty marker. Use your ship's warp drive (hold X) to travel. Some areas require completing prior story missions to unlock.