‘High On Life 2’ turns up the chaos with skateboards, savage humour and wild alien guns

High On Life 2 launched on February 13 across Xbox, PlayStation and PC, bringing faster movement, stranger weapons and a fresh wave of absurd sci-fi comedy that doubles down on everything fans loved about the original cult hit. A Nintendo Switch 2 release is scheduled for April.

This time, the unnamed bounty hunter returns to a universe that has not stayed quiet for long. Five years after becoming an unlikely hero, players are thrown back into intergalactic chaos when a shadowy pharmaceutical corporation emerges as the new threat. The roughly 10-hour campaign wastes little time escalating into explosive missions, ridiculous boss fights and relentless fourth-wall-breaking humour.

Bigger jokes, bolder ideas

High On Life 2 thrives on its signature gimmick: talking alien guns that never stop commenting on your life choices.

The new arsenal includes a bickering married handgun duo and a former assassin whose detachable head functions as a spike-launching assault rifle. Each weapon brings distinct combat abilities and puzzle-solving tools, giving firefights more personality than most shooters dare attempt.

The humour remains unapologetically chaotic. From boss encounters that tamper with in-game menus to missions that temporarily ditch combat for detective-style interrogations, the sequel constantly shifts tone and pace. Not every joke lands, but when it hits, it hits hard.

Skateboarding changes the flow

The biggest gameplay addition in High On Life 2 is the skateboard.

Players can grind rails, wall-ride and launch across arenas mid-battle, transforming movement into a core combat mechanic. The added speed injects kinetic energy into firefights and exploration, making arenas feel larger and more dynamic.

When combined with the game’s over-the-top weapon abilities, the result is a shooter that rarely stands still.

Combat creativity over polish

Combat in High On Life 2 is chaotic by design. Encounters encourage constant motion, rapid weapon switching and aggressive positioning. While some critics have noted inconsistencies in enemy reactions and performance hiccups at launch, the sheer variety of weapons and alien enemy types keeps the action unpredictable.

The real strength lies in the game’s willingness to experiment. One mission might parody corporate expos, another might spiral into full convention satire. The world is packed with hidden jokes, collectibles and bizarre detours that reward players who slow down and explore.

A sequel that leans into its weirdness

At its best, High On Life 2 feels unlike anything else in the first-person shooter space. It embraces absurdity, pushes movement further and commits fully to its offbeat identity.

For players looking for a traditional, tightly structured shooter, it may feel messy. But for those willing to ride the chaos, grind a few rails and let their weapons do the talking, High On Life 2 delivers a wild, fast-paced return to one of gaming’s strangest universes.