High on Life 2: A Fun Journey with Room for Combat Improvement

High on Life 2 is a wild ride. It’s humorous (at times), unpredictable, imperfect, inventive, and surprisingly inviting. While it surpasses its predecessor in many ways, it does come with a few letdowns. However, one thing it never risks being—at least for the right player—is boring. This game is crafted for a niche audience, and while that might alienate some, it ensures that those who connect with it will be hooked until the credits roll.

So, are you part of this unique crowd? That hinges on your taste for first-person shooters that blend platforming elements, a hefty dose of NSFW dialogue, and a storyline that kicks off with you taking down a billionaire and a politician, all while encountering a news anchor named Jason Testicles. Intrigued? Let’s dive in.

Set to launch on February 13, 2026, this title will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Developed in-house, it promises a fresh experience.

If you enjoyed the first High on Life, you’ll find this sequel right up your alley, maintaining that same quirky, humor-filled vibe but with improved pacing. For those who missed the original, the game offers a wild introduction and a museum filled with talking exhibits to catch you up on the lore. While knowing the backstory enhances the experience, it’s not a dealbreaker. Just remember: a bunch of chatty aliens want you dead, and you’ll be armed with an ever-expanding collection of talking guns.

One standout addition to the game is a skateboard, which you get early on. It speeds up your movement, helping maintain the game’s brisk pace, and allows for impressive jumps and wall rides to access areas you couldn’t reach otherwise. It shines in the open hub areas, where you can build momentum and transition smoothly between tricks. However, it’s less effective during story missions.

You’ll quickly learn that staying mobile during combat is crucial, adding a hint of Doom-like intensity. While High on Life 2 doesn’t reach the frenetic energy of ripping and tearing, it does encourage you to keep moving rather than just aimlessly shooting. Unfortunately, the skateboard doesn’t mesh well with combat, as the environments are often cramped and filled with obstacles that can abruptly halt your momentum. In our previous review of High on Life, we noted that combat “would benefit from further refinement,” and while there are improvements here, it still lacks the polish it needs.

The heart of High on Life 2 lies in its world and the script that drives it. Humor is subjective, and not every joke landed for me, but many did, often eliciting genuine laughter during play sessions. The vibrant art design creates a rich, immersive world, complemented by a fantastic voice cast that brings the characters to life.

Returning talents like J.B. Smoove and Betsy Sodaro deliver stellar performances, and this time, a few notable Hollywood actors join the fun. Richard Kind nails his role as the corrupt alien senator Muppy Doo, delivering a memorable but brief performance. And I can’t help but mention Ralph Ineson—his deep, resonant voice adds a unique flair to the game. While his deadpan delivery hits the mark at times, there are moments when he seems less enthusiastic, as if he regretted taking the role.

Each gun is well-crafted, and the performances are diverse enough to keep you engaged. However, most weapons come with at least one frustrating flaw, whether it’s fire rate, magazine size, or base damage. Upgrades can help, but they don’t completely eliminate these issues. The exception is the bow you eventually acquire, humorously named Bowie. While the gunplay can feel a bit lackluster, generous checkpoints ensure that frustration doesn’t derail your experience.

The humor in High on Life 2 is a rollercoaster, swinging from silly to cynical to satirical, but always with a crude edge. This approach strengthens some of the best jokes, though it falters with sexual humor, which often feels out of place. It appears sporadically, as if the developers felt obligated to include it rather than genuinely embracing it. The script, despite its crude jokes, is surprisingly coy about sex.

A prime example is the optional speed dating activity, which culminates in a “copulation chamber” scene that fades to black, leaving everything to the imagination. In another instance involving potential nudity, the screen is pixelated. The game adopts a stereotypically teenage attitude toward sex, discussing it boldly yet lacking depth, resulting in humor that feels hollow.

Despite these shortcomings, High on Life 2 consistently delivers laughs and isn’t shy about breaking the fourth wall, playing with the medium in a way reminiscent of classic comedies. Self-aware humor can easily fall flat, making it all the more impressive when it succeeds here. I’m hesitant to share specific examples, as there are secrets worth discovering.

There are plenty of cosmetic items to collect, including gun skins and outfits for your character, as well as upgrades for your skateboard. However, it raises the question: what’s the point in a single-player first-person game? It’s akin to getting a tattoo on your scalp while sporting a mullet.

Overall, the story is enjoyable, with combat that’s decent but often overstays its welcome. I saved most exploration of the open hub areas for after completing the story, which was a wise choice, as it can slow the game’s pace significantly. While there are cool discoveries to be made, these areas lack the density of interesting content needed, and the in-game map isn’t particularly helpful. As a result, exploring can feel like wandering through a 3D hidden object game, with the outcome uncertain—will you find a hidden gem or just another collectible?

For a change of pace, you can also watch delightfully terrible B-movies in the in-game cinema, including titles like New York Ninja and Spookies. Additionally, there are playable retro games in your base’s arcade, where you can find circuit boards to access classics like Bible Adventures or Radical Rex.

Squanch Games shines when they have full control over the player experience. Their standout title, Accounting+, is a tightly controlled series of comedic skits in VR. High on Life 2 shows that they’ve learned from past missteps in traditional game design, pushing the story forward without forcing you to backtrack, reserving exploration for side content, and improving combat—though it still has room for growth. Plus, how many games let you dual-wield a husband and wife to fend off alien bounty hunters?

High on Life 2 was reviewed on PS5, with a code provided for evaluation.