In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, the hosts dive into High on Life 2, the comedic first-person shooter from Squanch Games that attempts to build on the chaotic energy of its predecessor.
Andrew: 78 – Game
Keith: 80 – Game
Aaron: 84 – Game
Average: 80.7
Known for its absurd humor, talking weapons, and relentless fourth-wall breaks, the sequel returns with bigger environments, new traversal mechanics, and a slightly refined comedic tone. The big question heading into the discussion: does the sequel evolve the formula, or simply repeat the joke louder?
“I love what a game does that.”
Gameplay Mechanics & Combat
From a mechanical standpoint, High on Life 2 introduces several welcome additions, most notably improved traversal through the inclusion of a skateboard system. Movement feels faster and more playful, encouraging exploration between combat encounters.
Unfortunately, combat itself becomes one of the game’s weakest areas.
Despite a roster of quirky weapons packed with personality, none truly stand out in practice. Gunplay lacks weight and responsiveness, leaving encounters feeling serviceable rather than satisfying.
“The gunplay feels awful.”
Boss fights, another highlight of the original game, also drew criticism from the hosts. Compared to the creativity seen previously, many encounters feel less imaginative and mechanically straightforward.
Humor, Writing & Tone
Comedy remains the defining feature of High on Life 2. The sequel shifts slightly away from shock humor, leaning more into wacky scenarios, visual gags, and meta commentary.
For some players, this tonal adjustment works well. The humor lands more consistently without relying purely on crude punchlines. For others, the experience still depends heavily on personal taste.
The game constantly breaks the fourth wall, references gaming culture, and peppers the experience with nostalgic callbacks that longtime players will recognize.
The consensus from the hosts: when the jokes hit, they hit hard. When they miss, they miss loudly.
Story & Character Development
Narratively, the sequel follows a structure similar to the first game. Returning players will benefit from prior knowledge, as character relationships and ongoing jokes carry forward into the new story.
Voice acting stands out as one of the strongest elements throughout the experience. Performances give personality to both allies and weapons, helping maintain engagement even when gameplay momentum slows.
Character interactions remain entertaining, often carrying scenes that might otherwise feel mechanically thin.
Visual Design & Technical Performance
Visually, High on Life 2 maintains its colorful sci-fi identity. Environments are vibrant and creatively designed, though some animations occasionally appear awkward or unfinished.
The hosts also noted technical issues, including bugs and moments lacking polish, suggesting the game could benefit from additional refinement post-launch.
Another recurring criticism involved excessive visual guidance, sometimes described as heavy-handed environmental direction that removes discovery from exploration.
Achievements & Replayability
Achievement hunters may encounter frustration here. Several achievements are missable, requiring careful progression or replaying sections to fully complete the list.
Replayability largely comes from revisiting jokes, exploring optional content, and experimenting with different gameplay encounters rather than deep mechanical variation.
Final Thoughts
High on Life 2 delivers exactly what fans might expect: chaotic humor, bizarre world-building, and personality-driven storytelling wrapped inside a functional shooter.
Its strengths include:
• Strong voice acting and character interactions
• Improved traversal and movement systems
• Memorable comedic moments and meta humor
• Creative world design
Its weaknesses are harder to ignore:
• Weak gunplay mechanics
• Less imaginative boss fights
• Technical bugs and polish issues
• Humor that won’t appeal to everyone
Ultimately, the hosts agreed that while the sequel doesn’t surpass the originality of the first game, it remains an entertaining ride for players who enjoy its brand of comedy.
“I thought very well done.”
For the right audience, High on Life 2 is still a fun Game Pass detour… just one where the jokes carry more weight than the bullets.
