High on Life was one of those games that managed to stand out with its unique humour and gameplay. I enjoyed the first game and was eager to see how its follow-up would measure up. At gamescom 2025, I got a first-hand look at what makes High on Life 2 so exciting. After spending time with the game at the Xbox booth, I saw what Squanch Games has been working on, including a special demo tailored for the event. This demo showcased several of the new features players can expect when the game is released in 2026.
At first glance, High on Life 2 feels similar to the first instalment, but there are plenty of fresh and strange additions to make this sequel worth playing. The most surprising of these is skateboarding—an unexpected feature in a first-person shooter. What initially seems like an odd design choice quickly proves to be brilliant in execution, adding a fun new layer to the gameplay.
Rather than relying solely on traditional gunplay, players can now skate through alien environments. The skateboard is not just for traversal but also serves as a legitimate weapon. And yes, you can grind on rails—I’m sure that was on everyone’s mind. Crashing into hostile aliens and launching the board directly at their faces becomes a surprisingly satisfying combat mechanic that stays true to the game’s irreverent spirit.
The demo we played at gamescom was set on ConCon, a convention planet that serves as a floating metropolis of interconnected platforms (a little on the nose, but hey, I’ll take it.). The mission involves searching for a parking spot at ParkingCon, which essentially means eliminating the competition in typical High on Life fashion. The skateboard mechanics transform what could have been a standard shooting gallery into something more dynamic and entertaining. They also make navigating the environment fun and fast-paced, adding an exciting new layer to the gameplay. I was surprised it worked as well as it did, but the team nailed the execution and made something that flows well into the combat.
While we only get a small taste of what the story holds, High on Life 2 picks up five years after the original game’s events. Players are now established as renowned bounty hunters who successfully saved humanity from being harvested as an intergalactic drug. However, their comfortable life of fame and fortune is disrupted when a mysterious figure from the past puts a price on the protagonist’s sister, Lizzie. Lizzie has built her own reputation as either a freedom fighter or a terrorist, depending on one’s perspective. This setup propels players into another conspiracy that threatens humanity’s existence.
Since part of what made the first High on Life so entertaining was the voice talent, it’s great to see so many familiar names on this game’s cast list. Ralph Ineson, known for his roles in Final Fantasy XVI and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, joins the cast as Sheath, a new character and boss that players will encounter. He’s accompanied by returning fan favourites, including Betsy Sodaro as Sweezy and J.B. Smoove as Gus, ensuring continuity with the beloved talking weapons that made the original so memorable. Richard Kind also returns as Senator Muppy Doo, a politician connected to the evil Rhea Pharmaceuticals, which seeks to turn humanity into prescription pills—you know, as one does.
I liked the look of the first High on Life, but it seems the team at Squanch Games has stepped things up a bit for this instalment. The visual presentation has received significant upgrades while maintaining the game’s distinctive, cartoony art style, which remains unmistakable. The graphics now feature improved texture quality and enhanced visual effects, making the alien environments more vibrant and detailed than ever before. But don’t worry, even with these technical improvements, the game retains its goofy aesthetic, which perfectly complements the absurd humour and fourth-wall-breaking dialogue that define the franchise. In fact, it amps up the insanity a bit for this release—it’s quite something.
“At first glance, High on Life 2 feels similar to the first instalment, but there are plenty of fresh and strange additions to make this sequel worth playing.”
The weapon variety has expanded significantly, offering both returning favourites like Knifey and new additions that promise to deliver the same brand of crude humour and creative functionality. The combat system builds on the foundation established by the original while introducing new mechanics that take advantage of the skateboard traversal system. Players can still use Knifey’s grapple abilities to navigate environments, but now they can seamlessly transition between ground-based skating and aerial manoeuvres.
I also enjoy how the game introduces new weapons to your arsenal, giving players a taste of how they work and why they function the way they do. It’s gross, unique, and oddly touching—something I didn’t think I’d say about getting a new weapon in a humorous shooter, but here we are.
Speaking of humour, it seems to have been dialed up significantly for this instalment, with the development team promising that the game becomes progressively stranger as players advance through the story. While the gamescom demo only gave a taste of the early content players will experience in the final game, developers emphasized during the session that High on Life 2 will venture into much weirder territory than what attendees experienced. This escalating absurdity appears to be a deliberate design choice that builds on the original’s success while pushing boundaries further.
Even during the demo, High on Life 2 had some of the most absurd and amazing moments I’ve seen in a game this year—and that was only during an hour of gameplay. The game moves from twisted, dark jokes that utilize the ConCon setting to full effect, to one-liners and back-and-forth exchanges between your weapons, making the setting feel alive, insane, and very, very silly. I’m eager to see what the full release has in store.
The conspiracy storyline involving Rhea Pharmaceuticals provides a framework for the same sharp, satirical writing that made the original memorable. The pharmaceutical company’s plan to convert humans into prescription drugs offers plenty of opportunities for the game’s characteristic blend of dark humour and social commentary, wrapped in an accessible package that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I honestly have no idea where the game will go or how it will keep up with the pace of humour, but I’m on board and eager to see what High on Life 2 has in store for everyone.
High on Life 2’s presentation at gamescom 2025 gave a great preview of what the final game will offer, proving that sequels can innovate without losing what made the original special. The new additions feel fitting, with the skateboarding mechanic working better than I expected. With the demo only scratching the surface of what the final game will offer, I’m excited to see more. For a franchise built on exceeding expectations through absurd creativity, High on Life 2 appears to be skating in exactly the right direction toward its February 2026 release.
