High on Life 2: Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
Introduction
Some games don’t just make you laugh; they make you question your own sanity for laughing at a talking gun named after a bodily function. High on Life 2 is exactly that kind of game, a chaotic, crude, and genuinely hilarious first-person shooter that doubles down on everything that made the original a cult hit. Developed and published by Squanch Games, the sequel launched on February 13, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version arriving on July 1, 2026. It is a sequel that improves upon its predecessor in nearly every way, yet still struggles to escape the shadow of its own rough edges.
The premise is as absurd as you would expect. You play as a bounty hunter who, alongside a ragtag crew of alien misfits, must take down the evil pharmaceutical giant Rhea Pharmaceuticals and its sinister conspiracy to classify humans as cattle. Armed with a growing arsenal of talking alien guns, each with their own distinct personality and voice actor, you shoot, stab, and skateboard your way through a variety of exotic, often grotesque, alien locales. We have spent hours exploring its bizarre worlds, laughing at its relentless barrage of jokes, and grappling with its technical shortcomings. So, after all that, we have to ask: is High on Life 2 worth your time and credits? Let’s break it down.
Quick Verdict Box
TL;DR: High on Life 2 is a wildly uneven but often hilarious sequel that refines the original’s formula with a slick skateboard mechanic, sharper writing, and a more varied arsenal. Its humor and voice acting are top-tier, and the skateboarding adds a fresh layer of mobility. However, middling combat, poor optimization, and a host of technical issues on consoles hold it back from being the riotous masterpiece it could have been. It is a game that will delight its target audience, but it is unlikely to win over those who didn’t enjoy the first game.
Buy it if:
- You loved the original High on Life and its Rick and Morty-style humor.
- You appreciate voice acting from stars like J.B. Smoove, Betsy Sodaro, Ken Marino, and Ralph Ineson
- You enjoy fast-paced shooters with unique traversal mechanics like skateboarding
Skip it if:
- You found the original’s humour grating or juvenile
- Performance issues and bugs are deal-breakers for you
- You are looking for a polished, technically flawless FPS experience
What Is High on Life 2?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Developer | Squanch Games |
| Publisher | Squanch Games |
| Genre | First-Person Shooter / Comedy |
| Platforms | PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Price | $59.99 / £49.99 / €59.99 |
| Release Date | February 13, 2026 (PC, PS5, Xbox); July 1, 2026 (Switch 2) |
High on Life 2 is a first-person shooter developed and published by Squanch Games, the studio founded by Justin Roiland (co-creator of Rick and Morty). It is a direct sequel to the 2022 game, continuing the story of humanity’s fight against alien forces who seek to turn humans into drugs. The game features a new skateboard mechanic, a larger roster of talking guns, and a more expansive, explorable world. It received mixed to positive reviews from critics, earning a Metacritic score of 71-75 on PC and a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Skateboarding: A Game-Changing Addition
The most significant new addition to High on Life 2 is the skateboard, and it is a genuine game-changer. Acquired early on, it allows you to move faster, jump great distances, ride along walls, and grind on rails. This adds a new layer of mobility that makes exploration and combat feel more dynamic and fluid. As one review put it, “Skateboarding feels effortless, breezy, and natural, and it quickly becomes muscle memory to always keep moving while in a firefight.”
However, the skateboard is not without its flaws. In story missions, the environments can be small and filled with obstacles that regularly bring you to an ungraceful halt. While it works great in open hub areas, it can feel somewhat less successful in tighter, more linear sections. Despite these limitations, the skateboard is a welcome addition that gives High on Life 2 a distinct identity.
Combat and Weapons: A Mixed Bag
The combat in High on Life 2 is improved over the original, but it remains far from tight enough. The game features a varied arsenal of talking alien guns, each with their own unique abilities and combat utilities. Weapons are handed out at a more consistent pace, ensuring that you have a new toy to play with for almost every target. However, the shooting mechanics can feel average, and the weapon upgrades are linear and not very creative.
The combat encourages constant movement, giving it a sprinkling of Doom flavor, though it never reaches the adrenaline-pumping heights of that classic. The skateboard rarely plays well with combat, as the environments can be too cluttered to sustain流畅 movement. As one review succinctly put it, “I smiled, I laughed, I sorely wished the combat was a lot better.”
Exploration and Puzzles: A World of Distractions
One of the game’s strengths is its explorable worlds. The game is a sort of open-world adventure with various levels that you are free to fully explore for story missions or whatever distraction you might come across. Activities are varied, from solving a murder on a cruise ship to performing at a comedy club. If you poke your head somewhere, there is a good chance you’ll find something to either do or laugh at.
Puzzles are also integrated into the exploration, with many requiring you to unlock new guns or abilities before you can complete them. However, poor exploration elements have been cited as a drawback, with some reviewers finding the puzzle design lacking.
Story & Presentation
Narrative: A Chaotic, Brilliant Script
The story of High on Life 2 picks up right where the first game left off. You and your crew of alien misfits are now famous bounty hunters, but a bounty has been placed on your heads. Meanwhile, the evil Rhea Pharmaceuticals is pushing for legislation to classify the human race as cattle. The narrative is a masterful continuation of the first game’s story, with character writing and world-building that are on par in almost all respects.
The humor is relentless, crude, and often brilliant. The game features a “constant barrage of ridiculous humor” that will either have you laughing out loud or cringing. The voice cast is exceptional, with returning favorites like J.B. Smoove and Betsy Sodaro joined by Hollywood heavyweights such as Richard Kind, Ken Marino, and Ralph Ineson. As one review noted, “The performances from newcomers like Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, really help bolster the already impressive writing.”
Visuals: Striking but Demanding
Visually, High on Life 2 is a treat. The game’s unique take on alien design, spanning megacities and gross-out visual body humor, is unparalleled. The art design is strong, providing a vibrant, complete-feeling world. However, the game is demanding on hardware, with noticeable frame drops even on high-end PCs. The visuals look amazing if your rig can handle their full splendor but still pretty great if it cannot.
Audio: Stellar Voice Acting
The audio is where High on Life 2 truly shines. The voice acting is stellar, with a cast that brings the game’s absurd characters to life. The music, composed by Tobacco, is of higher than average quality, but it is the voice acting that really steals the show. The game’s dialogue is hilarious, and the performances are consistently excellent.
Performance & Technical
This is the game’s most significant weakness. High on Life 2 has been plagued by performance issues and bugs across all platforms. On PS5, the game suffers from a “pretty frustrating set of performance and quality issues” that make it look and play worse than the first game at times. Even on high-end PCs, noticeable frame drops have been reported.
The game’s optimization is rough, with some players experiencing game-breaking bugs, crashes, and glitches that make it “literally unplayable.” The Switch 2 version was delayed from April to July 1, 2026, to “better meet not only our high standards for gaming, but yours as well.” While patches have been released, the game still suffers from inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
How It Compares
| Game | Price | Key Features | Metacritic |
|---|---|---|---|
| High on Life 2 | $59.99 | Skateboarding; talking guns; comedy FPS | 71-75 |
| High on Life | $29.99 | Original; talking guns; no skateboard | 68-71 |
| Borderlands 3 | $59.99 | Looter shooter; co-op; comedic tone | 81 |
High on Life 2 is a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, with a higher Metacritic score and a more refined experience. Compared to Borderlands 3, it is less of a looter shooter and more of a linear, narrative-driven comedy FPS. While it lacks the depth and polish of some of its peers, it carves out a unique niche with its irreverent humor and bizarre world.
Who Should Buy This?
For fans of the original High on Life, this is an easy recommendation. If you enjoyed the first game’s humor and style, you will find more of the same, but better.
For players who appreciate comedy in games: High on Life 2 is one of the funniest games you can play, with a script that consistently lands its jokes.
For players who value performance and polish: The game’s technical issues are significant. If you are sensitive to frame drops and bugs, you may want to wait for more patches.
For players who disliked the original’s humor: This sequel is unlikely to change your mind. The humor is just as crude and divisive.
For players looking for a tight, polished shooter, the combat is average and the exploration is weak. If you are looking for a mechanically excellent FPS, look elsewhere.
THE GLH RATING
Our Take: After hours of skateboarding through alien cities, laughing at talking guns, and cursing at performance drops, we came away with a complicated relationship with High on Life 2. It is a game that is often hilarious, frequently creative, and regularly held back by its own rough edges. The skateboard is a brilliant addition, the voice cast is phenomenal, and the writing is sharp. But the combat is average, the exploration is weak, and the technical issues are impossible to ignore. It is a game that will delight its target audience, but it is unlikely to win over anyone who wasn’t already on board. For fans of the original, it is a worthy sequel. For everyone else, it is a chaotic, messy, but often brilliant trip.
Overall Score: 7.5 / 10
★★★★☆
Verdict: GOOD
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | 7.0 / 10 |
| Story & Presentation | 9.0 / 10 |
| Performance & Polish | 5.5 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 7.5 / 10 |
| Replayability | 7.0 / 10 |
FAQ
Is High on Life 2 worth buying?
Yes, if you are a fan of the original and can tolerate performance issues. The game has a 71-75 Metascore and a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam. The humour, voice acting, and skateboard mechanics are top-tier, but the combat and optimization leave much to be desired.
Is High on Life 2 worth it on Switch 2?
The Switch 2 version was delayed to July 1, 2026, to improve quality. While we have not reviewed that version, the game’s performance issues on other platforms suggest that the Switch 2 port may struggle. If portability is a priority, it may be worth waiting for reviews.
How long does it take to beat High on Life 2?
The main story takes around 14 hours to complete. If you are a completionist, expect to spend 20+ hours exploring the various worlds and side activities.
Is High on Life 2 worth full price?
At $59.99, the game is priced at the standard AAA level. Given its technical issues and average combat, the value proposition is questionable. If you are a fan of the franchise, it may be worth it. For others, consider waiting for a sale.
Is High on Life 2 a demanding game?
Yes. The game is heavy and has been criticized for poor optimization, with frame drops reported even on high-end PCs. Make sure your system meets the recommended requirements.
Does High on Life 2 have the same humor as the first game?
Yes. The humor is a direct continuation of the original, with the same crude, irreverent, Rick and Morty-style tone. If you enjoyed the first game, you will enjoy this one. If not, it won’t convert you.
What platforms is High on Life 2 available on?
The game is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Conclusion
High on Life 2 is a game that is impossible to ignore and equally impossible to fully recommend. It is a chaotic, messy, but often brilliant sequel that doubles down on everything that made the original a cult hit. The skateboard is a game-changer, the voice cast is phenomenal, and the writing is sharp and hilarious. But the combat is average, the exploration is weak, and the technical issues are significant. It is a game that will delight its target audience, but it is unlikely to win over anyone who wasn’t already on board.
If you are a fan of the original High on Life and can tolerate performance issues, this is a worthy sequel that delivers more of the same, but better. If you are new to the series, you may want to start with the first game or wait for a sale. It is a game that is flawed, frustrating, and frequently funny.
Final recommendation: Buy it if you loved the first game and can overlook its rough edges. Otherwise, wait for a sale.
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