High on Life 2: a hilarious skateboard-fueled adventure that doubles the mayhem G Trends

High on Life 2 is a game that makes no apologies. It’s vulgar, absurd and spectacularly crazy. Squanch Games has created what amounts to interactive Rick and Morty fan fiction with more pop culture references than you can imagine, and it’s absolutely wonderful. The addition of skateboarding turns movement into an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The comedy lands far more often than it misses. The new weapons are creative and hilarious. Sure, there are occasional bugs and performance issues, but none of them diminish what is fundamentally a brilliantly entertaining experience.

Comedy is king

High on Life 2 succeeds because the writing is everything. The talking Gatlian weapons carry the entire experience through constant witty banter. Creature, voiced by Tim Robinson, delivers stupid comments that land regularly. Each new weapon introduces a new personality and comedic timing that keeps encounters entertaining throughout.

The writing extends beyond weapons. NPCs have character. The dialogue sequences have weight. The investigative puzzle sections in which you search for documents and talk to residents reveal details of the story wrapped in comedy rather than exposition.

The references are everywhere. Frasier Crane machines in your headquarters. Obscure retro arcade games. B movies and weird toy commercials. Some quirks seem indulgent, but more often than not, they create moments of delight when you spot a reference that lands perfectly.

Skateboarding changes everything

The introduction of skateboarding at the start of the campaign proves to be the most important addition to the gameplay. It’s not window dressing. Grinding rails, rolling walls, jumping gaps, picking up speed across open areas: it’s all smooth and satisfying. The world has been intentionally designed around these mechanics, with practical ramps and rail systems encouraging you to explore and experiment. The in-game store upgrades allow for customization, although these remain entirely optional.

What’s most impressive is how naturally skateboarding fits into both exploration and combat. You can shoot while skating, perform tricks while engaging enemies, and use your momentum to reach otherwise inaccessible platforms. It transforms what could have been a standard shooter into something with real momentum and flow. The movement is fast without sacrificing control.

The expanded work of the Arsenal

Returning weapons like Sweezy, Gus and Creature are joined by inventive newcomers. The new weapons seem creative and well thought out. The sheath fires electricity-conducting lances, perfect for puzzle sequences. The creature’s children can be guided through mazes. Each weapon approach seems thoughtfully designed rather than simple copy-pasted variations on existing mechanics. This variety keeps the combat engaging throughout the campaign.

The loss of Kenny due to Justin Roiland’s departure is noticeable, but the game handles it well. Rather than dwelling on the absence, he moves forward confidently with new personalities who quickly become appreciated.

Technical errors don’t spoil the party

High on Life 2 is not without its flaws. Frame rate drops occur during particularly chaotic moments. Some textures look shabby. Bugs exist: I encountered invisible friendly character models and lines of dialogue that were played double. Twice, bosses died without proper combat resolution, unfairly moving toward victory.

These issues are frustrating enough to be noticed, but not severe enough to interrupt the experience. The developers have been transparent about their roadmap for optimizations and bug fixes coming in the coming months. For a relatively small team managing a project of this scale, this is commendable.

The music is sometimes grating, especially during fights. The constant weapon chatter can become overwhelming at times, although the frequency toggle returns from the first game, allowing you to dial it down if necessary.

A simple, efficient and better experience

High on Life 2 feels tighter than its predecessor. The campaign lasts approximately 10-15 hours depending on the depth of your exploration. It’s a lean experience that respects your time without overstaying its welcome. The skateboarding mechanics, expanded weapon roster, and investigative puzzle sequences all contribute to a more cohesive and entertaining whole than what came before.

The skateboards. The paperwork. Just play it.

High on Life 2 is a hilarious skateboard-fueled game that doubles down on Squanch Games’ irreverent comedic sensibility. The writing is crisp and often biased. The new mechanics of skateboarding transform movement into something enjoyable. The expanded arsenal brings creative personality to every encounter. Yes, there are bugs and performance issues. Yes, the comedy will not please everyone. But for those who appreciate crazy humor, pop culture deep cuts, and witty gun jokes, High on Life 2 is an absolute treat. It’s better than the original in almost every way. If you have Game Pass, playing is a must.