The original High On Life was a divisive game to say the least. Here at Pure Xbox, our resident reviewer gave us one of the most well-known (and beloved!) PX reviews in history when they dished out a “Poor” 4/10 score and concluded that “you’re either going to love it or hate it, really” — something that’s definitely rung true over the past few years.
I’m personally heading into High on Life 2 as someone that was actually in the “love it” camp, or at least someone who enjoyed the first game and particularly its “High On Knife” DLC. So, am I still feeling the same way after a few hours with High on Life 2? The answer is yes — and it’s also reminded me a little bit of the Xbox exclusive Sunset Overdrive.
If you’ve played the original game or seen anything of it, you pretty much know the score here. It’s got the same style of humour, the combat feels very familiar, and there’s a nice mix of open-world exploration and closed-off level design.
This time around, the story is about how humans are being targeted by “Big Pharma” as part of a plan to harvest and shrink them into an easily digestible pill for aliens, and therefore it’s your job to (again) save the human race. There are plenty of references to the first game, including a literal museum of artifacts that you can visit, but you don’t need to have seen that one through to completion to understand High on Life 2’s premise early on.
It’s all very much as you’d expect from a High on Life title, aside from one key difference — there’s a skateboard mechanic now. This is actually an integral part of the game, allowing you to traverse the environment at speed while also latching onto a massive array of rails that you can grind to your heart’s content. Not only does this speed up traversal in general, but it provides added depth and strategy to combat encounters where you can use speed and trickery to get an advantage on slower opponents.
You can see how skateboarding works in the trailer below:
This is basically what Sunset Overdrive was doing very successfully back in 2014, but its implementation in High on Life 2 is first-person-based, rather than third-person. It definitely adds a much-needed uniqueness to this sequel compared to the original title, and personally, I’ve spent most of the first few hours on my board rather than off it.
Altogether, High on Life 2 is exactly what I expected after 3-4 hours of gameplay so far, aside from the aforementioned skateboard mechanic that I’m also having a lot of fun with. Most of my time has been with the Xbox Series X version, which doesn’t look outstanding but not terrible either, and the most important thing is that it’s running at a very solid 60FPS — or at least my VRR-supported display isn’t making any frame drops noticeable.
On the ROG Xbox Ally X, it looks pretty bad by default, but I’ve managed to get a much better solution by tinkering with the settings. My favoured setup right now is all “Medium” graphics at 720p with Temporal Super Resolution turned on. You can definitely go 1080p with higher visual settings if you want to, but that’ll likely require capping the performance to 30FPS. This is evidently quite a demanding game!
High on Life 2 officially releases on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass later today, and my advice is that if you enjoy or at least can tolerate the style of humour, it’s well worth a download. It gets an extra special recommendation for Sunset Overdrive fans — hopefully you’ll feel the inspiration like I did!
Are you playing High on Life 2 today? Fan of Sunset Overdrive? Tell us down in the comments below.
Hands On: If You Liked Sunset Overdrive, High On Life 2 Is Worth A Play On xbox Game Pass
Why High On Life 2 resonates with Sunset Overdrive Fans
If you’re a fan of Sunset Overdrive, chances are you appreciate vibrant worlds, irreverent humor, and fast-paced action gameplay. High On life 2 embraces a similar spirit, but with its own quirky identity. Available on Xbox Game Pass, this first-person shooter combines action-adventure and Metroidvania elements, weaving a chaotic story filled with outrageous characters and a satire-fueled narrative that will resonate deeply with Sunset Overdrive lovers.
Both games share an appetite for bold visuals, energetic gameplay, and a flamboyant sense of humor, making High On Life 2 not only worth playing but an excellent follow-up experience on Xbox.
Gameplay Highlights: What Sets High On Life 2 Apart
While Sunset Overdrive was known for its frenetic movement and innovative traversal mechanics, High On Life 2 introduces several unique gameplay layers that enrich the player experience:
- Double-Edged Skateboarding Mechanic: A fresh addition that adds fluid mobility and dynamic combat options, although it has polarized some reviewers for its learning curve and control intricacies.
- Action-Adventure and Metroidvania Elements: Players must assassinate targets by battling through diverse environments, culminating in satisfying boss fights that test reflexes and strategy.
- Character-Driven Storyline: You take on the role of a bounty hunter whose life turns upside down when a mysterious villain places a bounty on your sister, injecting personal stakes and urgency to the narrative.
key Gameplay Features
| feature | Description | benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Skateboarding Mechanic | Allows fast-paced movement and combos during combat sequences. | Enhances gameplay fluidity,offering creative combat styles. |
| Boss Battles | Unique and challenging fights with each assassination target. | Increases game depth and player engagement. |
| Vulgar Humor & Satire | Bold comedic tone with profane and clever dialogues. | Provides entertainment and a standout narrative voice. |
| Metroidvania Exploration | Players unlock abilities and backtrack to new areas. | Adds exploration and replayability to the game. |
immersive Storytelling with comedy and Chaos
The narrative design of High On Life 2 is both chaotic and compelling. your bounty hunting journey becomes intensely personal when a dark figure from your past emerges,placing a price on your sister’s head – an emotional twist that elevates the story beyond standard shooter tropes.
Fans of games with strong narrative flavors will enjoy the game’s unapologetic vulgarity and quirky humor,akin to Sunset Overdrive‘s tongue-in-cheek tone but with its own sharp,adult comic edge.
High On Life 2 on Xbox Game Pass: Accessibility and Value
One of the biggest draws for new and veteran players is that High On Life 2 is available on Xbox Game Pass. This subscription service brings great value, granting access to a vast library of games including this vibrant new title.Here’s why this improves your game experience:
- Cost Efficiency: No need to purchase the game upfront; accessible with your Game Pass subscription.
- Easy Access: Download and play instantly on Xbox consoles or PC without extra fees.
- try Before You commit: Experience the game to see if it fits your style without financial risk.
Practical Tips for New High On Life 2 Players
enhance your gameplay with these practical tips designed for those jumping from similar titles like Sunset Overdrive:
- Master the Skateboarding Mechanic: Spend some early game time getting comfortable with this new movement tool-it’s key for combat and exploration.
- Explore Thoroughly: Use your Metroidvania-inspired abilities to revisit earlier areas. Secret weapons and upgrades await!
- Engage with Humor: Don’t shy away from the vulgar and absurd dialogue-it’s part of the game’s charm and enriches the experience.
- Focus on Side Missions: They add depth to the story and offer valuable rewards enhancing your bounty hunting skills.
First-Hand Experience: Why Fans of Sunset Overdrive Will Enjoy High On Life 2
Having spent extensive time with High On Life 2, it’s clear that this title captures much of what made Sunset Overdrive unique, while also evolving the formula with new mechanics and a stronger narrative drive. The game is energetic and fun, boasting a style that’s equal parts outrageous and clever.
Players will feel at home with the fast-paced combat and fluid traversal, but may be pleasantly surprised by the added depth brought by the skateboarding mechanic and careful world-building.The humor is brash but thoughtful, appealing to gamers who enjoy adult-themed satire in their game stories.
Comparison Snapshot: Sunset overdrive vs High On Life 2
| Aspect | Sunset Overdrive | High On Life 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Genre | Third-person open-world shooter | First-person shooter with action-adventure elements |
| Movement | Parkour, grind rails, fluid traversal | Skateboarding mechanic, combo-based movement |
| Humor Style | Wacky, colorful, campy | Profane, satirical, adult-oriented |
| Combat | Wide variety of weapons, fast and frantic | Targeted assassination, skill-based boss fights |
| Available On | Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC | Xbox Game Pass (console & PC) |
Final thoughts: Shoudl You Play High On Life 2 on Xbox Game Pass?
If Sunset Overdrive holds a special place in your gaming library, High On Life 2 offers a fresh yet familiar trip down the zany, action-packed road. Its availability on Xbox Game Pass only sweetens the deal for both casual players and hardcore fans alike.
Between the unique mechanics, adult comedy, and engaging story, this game promises hours of chaotic fun and is a perfect addition to any Xbox enthusiast’s lineup.
