REVIEW: High on Life 2 (Xbox Series X)

When High on Life launched back in 2022, it carved out a niche for itself with a simple hook: what if your guns never stopped talking? It was crude, self-aware and surprisingly competent as a shooter. Now, High on Life 2 arrives on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC, and I reviewed it on Xbox Series X.

The sequel builds on the same foundations, stretching the scope a little wider while keeping the tone firmly intact. It is bigger, a bit more ambitious mechanically, and just as committed to its offbeat humour. The result is a 10 to 15 hour single-player campaign that will feel very familiar to returning players, but generally in a good way.

Story

High on Life 2 picks up in a universe where humans remain a commodity and aliens continue to make very poor lifestyle choices. The central premise once again leans into the absurd idea that humanity is valuable as a consumable substance, and the narrative wastes no time reminding you how little respect your species commands across the galaxy.

What stands out is how self-aware the writing continues to be. Characters frequently comment on your actions, question your importance and poke fun at standard video game conventions. Dialogue choices crop up regularly. They rarely alter the direction of the story in a meaningful way, but they add texture and keep conversations lively. Even minor NPCs are given room to ramble, often to amusing effect.

The humour will remain divisive. If you bounced off the original game because the jokes felt relentless, this sequel is unlikely to change your mind. The guns, or Gatlians, are still chatty to the point of distraction.

They interrupt, they argue and they deliver punchlines whether you are ready for them or not. That said, the writing is tighter this time around. There is a clearer narrative arc underpinning the chaos, and moments of genuine character development emerge between the sillier exchanges.

Beneath the crude jokes and outrageous set pieces, there is a surprisingly straightforward theme about responsibility and the consequences of playing the hero. The game never takes itself too seriously, but it does enough to stop the story from feeling like a string of disconnected gags. It remains first and foremost a comedy shooter, yet it is not entirely hollow.

Gameplay

Where High on Life 2 makes its most noticeable improvements is in moment-to-moment gameplay. The shooting feels sharper, with better feedback and more satisfying enemy encounters. Switching between weapons is encouraged, as each Gatlians comes with distinct firing styles, secondary abilities and utility functions that tie into light puzzle-solving and exploration.

The headline addition is the skateboard. Movement was already a strong point in the original, thanks to grappling and snappy traversal options, but the skateboard introduces a new rhythm to combat. You can weave through arenas, close distances quickly and chain attacks in a way that feels fluid without becoming overwhelming. On Xbox Series X, performance is largely solid, and the increased mobility gives firefights a welcome sense of pace.

Level design leans into semi-open zones rather than strictly linear corridors. These areas are not vast open worlds, but they are spacious enough to encourage exploration. Side activities, hidden jokes and environmental storytelling reward those who take their time. Combat arenas are clearly defined, yet rarely feel repetitive thanks to varied enemy types and vertical layouts that make good use of your mobility options.

Importantly, the humour does not completely overshadow the mechanics. There is genuine thought behind how weapons complement each other and how traversal feeds into combat. Finishing moves are as over-the-top as ever, occasionally veering into the grotesque, but they fit the established tone. Squanch Games has clearly aimed to ensure that High on Life 2 stands on its own as a competent shooter, not just a vehicle for jokes.

Visuals

Built using Unreal Engine 5, High on Life 2 aims for a colourful, exaggerated aesthetic that blends alien landscapes with grimy sci-fi urban spaces. At a glance, it can look impressive. Bright neon hues, bizarre creature designs and dense environmental details give the world a distinct identity.

However, this is also where the game shows some rough edges. On Xbox Series X, performance is generally stable, but visual inconsistencies are hard to ignore. Texture pop-in, uneven lighting and occasional frame pacing hiccups pull you out of the experience more than they should. Character models sometimes lack the polish you would expect from a current generation title, particularly during close-up conversations.

There are moments where the game looks excellent, especially in larger exterior zones where the art direction has room to breathe. But these highs are offset by areas that feel undercooked. Unreal Engine 5 is capable of stunning results, and while High on Life 2 does not look bad, it does not consistently showcase the engine’s strengths either.

Squanch Games would do well to roll out post-launch updates to address some of these visual issues and further optimise performance. A bit more refinement could elevate the overall presentation considerably.

Conclusion

High on Life 2 does not attempt to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it refines what worked in the first game and expands it in sensible ways. The humour remains front and centre, and whether that appeals will depend entirely on your tolerance for constant banter and crude jokes. For those on board with the tone, this is a confident sequel that improves combat, enhances traversal and delivers a focused campaign without overstaying its welcome.

The skateboard mechanics add a welcome layer to both exploration and firefights. Weapon variety is stronger, level design is more open and the narrative, while still absurd, feels more cohesive. It is not a groundbreaking shooter, nor is it the most technically polished release on current hardware, but it is entertaining and self-assured.

Visual shortcomings hold it back from being a truly standout release. With some patches to iron out performance and graphical inconsistencies, it could feel far more in line with what players expect from a 2026 title. Even so, the core experience is enjoyable. If you liked the first game, there is every chance you will enjoy this one too.

High on Life 2 Pricing & Availability

High on Life 2 is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC. It is priced at €54.99 from retailers such as Smyths, or €59.99 directly from the Xbox Store for the digital download version. The game is also available as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for subscribers, making it an easy entry point for those already in Microsoft’s ecosystem.