High on Life 2: Absurd Adventures Return to the Cosmos
The world of comedy-driven shooters isn’t what it was in the ’90s, when chaotic and quirky games dotted the landscape. Today, they’re a rare breed — and that’s exactly why High on Life 2 stands out. Squanch Games brings their signature blend of meta-humor, snarky weapons, and pop culture absurdity back for a game that’s far from your typical first-person shooter.
Meta Madness, Talking Weapons, and Offbeat Storytelling
High on Life 2 wastes no time throwing players into the thick of its bizarre universe. You pick up the saga five years after the original, now basking in intergalactic celebrity status thanks to your bounty hunter exploits. But fame takes a backseat when you discover your sister Lizzie is now among the galaxy’s most wanted. Cue a chaotic spiral into conspiracies, celebrity events, and endless self-aware gags ultra-referential for anyone steeped in pop culture.
This sequel doubles down on its irreverent DNA. Expect everything from fourth-wall-breaking commentary to in-game B-movies, and a relentless pace that keeps the jokes fresh. Unlike games like Deadpool, High on Life 2 rarely drags a gag out past its welcome — instead, it darts from reference to reference, making every encounter feel unpredictable.
Technical Evolution: Skateboarding and Combat Variety
While the humor is front and center, gameplay innovation subtly transforms the experience. The addition of a skateboard is a game-changer: you can now grind, dash, and even snipe enemies on the move, channeling a wild Tony Hawk-meets-space-bounty-hunter vibe. This mechanic isn’t just a gimmick; arenas are purpose-built for verticality and flow, inviting you to experiment with movement during firefights. Returning features like the grapple hook pair naturally with the new skills, keeping traversal engaging and sometimes essential for surviving chaotic set pieces.
Combat encounters also see improvements, with more enemy archetypes and increasingly unpredictable AI behavior. Enemies clad in modular suits split apart after being downed, changing combat dynamics and forcing you to adapt on the fly. Yet, not everything lands perfectly: boss fights remain a mixed bag, with bullet sponge mechanics and simplistic attack patterns quite easy to read once you’ve learned the rhythms.
Bugs, Glitches, and the Nature of Comedy Games
Innovation, however, hasn’t swept away all the rough edges. Playtesting reveals bugs ranging from environmental elements not triggering to entire waves of enemies failing to spawn. The auto-save system helps — you usually lose only a few minutes of progress — but the line between a deliberate comedic fake-out and a genuine glitch is sometimes too blurry for comfort. PC players, in particular, may encounter rare crashes, especially when using some power-ups. With Squanch Games promising imminent patches, these issues shouldn’t deter the curious, but they are part of the launch experience.
Irreverent, Flawed, and Totally Unapologetic
Despite those quirks, High on Life 2 is a breath of fresh cosmic air in the comedic action genre. It’s a playground for absurd set pieces, bizarre weapons, and social satire, all under the guise of an action-adventure FPS, designed for mature audiences ready for over-the-top humor and chaotic shootouts. The replay value, boosted by a wealth of hidden jokes and references, makes it one for players who crave discovery — and don’t mind a few bumps in the road.
- Pros: Unpredictable humor, skateboarding mechanics, greater enemy variety.
- Cons: Persistent bugs, underwhelming boss design, occasional crash issues.
If you want to experience a shooter where the guns have more personality than half the galaxy and where cosmic absurdity is the main attraction, High on Life 2 makes for an undeniably unique adventure. Fans of meta-humor and unorthodox gameplay will find plenty to dig into, bizarre glitches and all.
