High on Life 2 is a classic example of a sequel that improves on its predecessor in almost every way, but still keeps some of the flaws that held the original game back. This sequel greatly improves movement and navigation while keeping the core gameplay experience the same, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how much you enjoyed the first game.
The story takes place after the events of High on Life. The main character is now a celebrity bounty hunter, and the game opens with a very cool action sequence that uses flashbacks and clever editing to show how the player takes down a huge threat to the city. It also works as a tutorial, teaching you the different gameplay systems. I really liked how it sets up the story, and even though the first High on Life had a decent opening, this one stands out more in terms of overall impact.
The main narrative begins when it is revealed that the protagonist’s sister has become a rebel human rights advocate, and someone has placed a bounty on her head. This leads the main character to try to save her, which then uncovers a major pharma conspiracy involving humans being used as livestock for a drug called Humanzapro. The game uses real-world ideas to build its fictional story, and it fits well within the universe. Overall, I feel this one tells a stronger story than the first game.
The biggest new gameplay change here is the addition of a skateboard, which makes movement much faster. When all the mechanics come together, the game starts to feel like a mix of Doom and Sunset Overdrive. The talking guns are back and remain one of my favorite parts of the sequel, just like in the first game. The weapons are fun to use, but the gunplay itself is still mediocre. My biggest issue is that the enemies feel like bullet sponges and are very repetitive, which makes many encounters less enjoyable.
With the skateboard, movement is much faster, and you can grind on rails while shooting enemies. There are also instant kills that you can trigger after weakening an enemy. The boss fights are fun and designed around arenas that make the encounters feel more dynamic. However, there are several bugs, especially with AI behavior and enemies clipping through buildings or other parts of the environment. It does not feel as polished as a game like Doom, even though it checks many of the right boxes. The variety of guns is easily the highlight of the sequel, and while the story is messier this time, it is still entertaining.
The humor and writing in High on Life 2 can be hit or miss, depending on how much you enjoy shows like Rick and Morty. Since I am a fan, I really liked the banter between the guns and the other characters, including the main protagonist. The skateboard not only makes movement faster but also adds more variety to platforming and exploration. At times, it even gives the game a Tony Hawk vibe, even though it is still in first person. The game also includes a Metroidvania-style of exploration, letting you return later to unlock new areas.
Every gun in the game has a unique ability, such as freezing time, creating platforms, and more. These abilities are used in different puzzles, boss fights, and exploration segments. They are used in smart ways, and honestly, the boss fights in this sequel are easily better than those in the first game.
While the music has its moments, it leans toward a retro, lo-fi style overall. The audio mixing and soundtrack are not particularly strong, but the witty writing and humor still land well if that style suits you. The game is not very long and can be finished in a little over 10 hours, or longer if you are going for full completion. The story is mostly linear, but there are different endings and some branching choices that affect the outcome. Customization is enjoyable with both the skateboard and the home base open to decoration.
A major disappointment for me was the lack of meaningful PS5 Pro support. Technically, there is support, but it mostly comes down to choosing between two upscaling methods, PSSR or TSR. There is no real boost in resolution or visuals on the PS5 Pro, although the game does run at 60 FPS on both the base PS5 and the Pro.
Overall, this is a bigger sequel that keeps the talking guns and unique weapon ideas from the first game while improving the story, exploration, and movement. From a technical standpoint, it feels underwhelming, especially on the PS5 Pro. The support is there, but it is fairly basic. The gameplay loop is fun, and the graphics are good, even if they are not outstanding. The game also offers much more content than the first one, which is a clear plus.
High on Life 2 Game Information
- Price: $59.99
- Publisher: Squanch Games
- Developer: Squanch Games
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
