High On Life

What Is High On Life, Anyway?

First off, let's set the stage. High On Life is a first-person action-adventure game that mashes up fast-paced shooting with the kind of absurd, self-aware humor you'd expect from the co-creator of *Rick and Morty*. Published by Squanch Games, Inc., it launched on Windows and Xbox, and it's essentially a cartoon comedy wrapped in a sci-fi shooter. The core hook? Every gun you hold literally talks to you—arguing, cracking jokes, and occasionally complaining about your aim. Key highlights: a fully voiced arsenal of eccentric alien weapons, an explorable alien open world, a story filled with satirical pop-culture references, and a surprisingly fluid combat system. Who's it for? Gamers who enjoy offbeat humor, don't mind a bit of gore, and want a shooter that doesn't take itself too seriously—especially fans of Justin Roiland's previous work.

The Guns That Won't Shut Up—And That's a Good Thing

Your Weapon Is Your Co-Pilot

Imagine if your sidearm had a personality disorder and a podcast. That's the core gimmick here. Each Gatlians (the in-game term for the living guns) has its own voice, backstory, and running commentary. Kenny, your first pistol, sounds like a nervous teenager, while Creature is a hyper-aggressive Vietnam War vet who quotes action films. They don't just give tips—they banter with enemies, critique your performance, and occasionally break the fourth wall. This isn't a gimmick that wears thin; the writing stays sharp and surprising, turning every firefight into a one-sided conversation. It's like having a chaotic friend in your ear, which makes the repetitive grind of hunting aliens feel fresh for a lot longer than you'd expect.

Weapons That Play Differently

Beyond the chatter, each gun actually changes how you approach combat. For example, one weapon shoots homing disks that double as traversal tools, while another fires a burst of needles that stick into walls and act as ziplines. The variety means you're constantly encouraged to swap weapons mid-fight, not just for damage but for tactical options. The combat flow is smooth—you can chain moves like grappling, sliding, and firing without much lag. Learning curve is gentle: the game introduces new guns slowly, and the enemy types are designed to force you to experiment. After a few hours, you'll naturally switch between your arsenal without thinking about it.

An Open World That Feels Like a Cozy Alien Junkyard

Exploration With a Punchline

The world of High On Life is a deliberate mess—colorful, cluttered, and full of environmental jokes. You'll explore different planets, each with its own biome (jungles, corporate malls, alien slums). But the real draw is the NPCs and side content. Every character you meet, from a bounty hunter who only speaks in movie quotes to a sentient fan that begs for autographs, is a mini-sketch. The map isn't massive by modern standards, but it's dense with weird details. You can also use your gun to grab and throw objects, solve basic environmental puzzles, or just troll random creatures. The traversal is snappy with a jetpack, and fast travel is available, but walking around isn't a chore because something bizarre usually happens every minute.

Performance and Controls on Windows

On a mid-range PC (say, RTX 3060, 16GB RAM), the game runs comfortably at 1080p with high settings, maintaining around 60–70 fps. There are occasional stutters when loading new areas, but nothing game-breaking. The UI is clean and minimal—health bar, ammo counter, and a small map in the corner. Interaction prompts are clear, and the aiming feels responsive, though the default sensitivity is a bit high for precision shooting. You can tweak it easily. The learning curve is shallow: the first hour is mostly tutorialized humor, and you'll master the basics within two sessions. If you've played any modern FPS, you'll feel at home immediately.

Where It Stands Out From the Crowd

Humor as a Game Mechanic

Most action-adventure games tell stories through cutscenes or lore notes. High On Life weaponizes comedy in real time. The guns' dialogue dynamically reacts to your actions—shoot a harmless creature? Kenny calls you a monster. Miss too many shots? Creature screams about your performance. This creates a feedback loop that's both amusing and slightly punishing. It's a different kind of engagement compared to, say, *Borderlands*' scripted jokes. Here, the humor is reactive and woven into combat, making every encounter feel less like a set piece and more like a improv comedy scene.

No Grind, Just Chaos

Unlike many open-world games that pad runtime with fetch quests and repetitive side activities, High On Life's mission design is relatively lean. You tackle bounties, each with a boss villain (often a celebrity parody), and the path to them is filled with absurd obstacles. There's no skill tree to grind or loot to manage—upgrades are simple and tied to story progression. This keeps the pace brisk. The game took me about 12 hours to finish the main story, with an extra 4–5 for optional stuff. That's a sweet spot for a comedy shooter; any longer and the jokes might wear thin.

Should You Pick It Up?

I'd recommend High On Life to anyone who enjoys irreverent humor and doesn't need a serious, cinematic narrative. It's a great palette cleanser after more intense titles like *Doom Eternal* or *Resident Evil*. However, the humor can be divisive—if you're not a fan of Roiland's style (lots of deadpan, curse words, and gross-out jokes), you'll probably find it grating. Also, the shooting mechanics are solid but not groundbreaking—don't expect the tight gunplay of *Titanfall 2*. If you're okay with a game that prioritizes laughs over challenge, grab it on a sale (it's often discounted on the Microsoft Store). For newcomers, I suggest playing with a controller on PC—the haptic feedback on the triggers adds a little extra spice to the gun banter.

FAQ

How do I start the main storyline and what should I do first after the tutorial?

After the opening cutscene, follow the on-screen marker to your first bounty target. Your talking gun Kenny will guide you through basic combat and traversal. Prioritize collecting loot to upgrade your gear. Check your mission log in the pause menu (Options > Mission Log) for objectives.

Can I change the difficulty settings or adjust controls for accessibility?

Yes, you can adjust difficulty and control layouts at any time. Pause the game, go to Settings > Gameplay for difficulty presets (e.g., Story, Normal, Hard), and Settings > Controls to remap buttons. There is also an auto-aim toggle and subtitle options under Settings > Accessibility.

How do I switch between different talking guns and unlock new ones?

Press the weapon switch button (default: Y/Triangle) to cycle between acquired guns. New guns are earned by completing specific bounty missions or exploring hidden areas. Each gun has unique abilities; check their descriptions in the pause menu under Equipment > Weapons for special moves.

What is the best way to earn credits and rare loot throughout the game?

Complete bounties, side quests, and explore every biome for chests and secret stashes. Sell unwanted items at vendors (found in main hubs). High-value loot often appears after defeating mini-bosses. Use the map (View > Map) to mark uncollected loot icons for efficient farming.

How does the jetpack and other movement upgrades work, and when do I unlock them?

The jetpack is unlocked after the first major bounty. Double-click jump to hover, hold to ascend. Later upgrades (dash, wall-run) are obtained by finding upgrade modules hidden in levels. Access upgrades via Pause > Character > Upgrades. Equip and assign them to your action slots.

Can I replay old levels or return to previously visited planets after leaving?

Yes, you can freely travel between biomes using the map screen (View > Map > choose a planet). Fast travel points are unlocked once visited. Revisit areas to find missed collectibles or complete leftover side objectives. Some areas may have new enemies after story progression.