Beyond the Jokes: How High on Life 2 Transforms a Gimmick into a Great Shooter

The original High on Life was a game you either loved or hated. Its premise—a first-person shooter where your guns are wisecracking, foul-mouthed aliens—was a hilarious and inventive concept, but for many, the comedy felt like a crutch for a fairly generic shooter. Fast-forward to Gamescom 2025, and developer Squanch Games delivered the most pleasant surprise of the show: a hands-on demo of the sequel, High on Life 2, that proves they have learned from their past mistakes. The game not only doubles down on its irreverent humor but also delivers a genuinely fun and polished gameplay experience that makes its predecessor look like a proof of concept.

The Gamescom demo was a masterclass in how to build on a flawed foundation. Instead of just adding more jokes, the developers have focused on refining the core gameplay loop, creating a game that is a joy to play and not just to watch. The most significant and impactful new feature is the addition of a skateboard, which fundamentally changes how you traverse the game’s wacky worlds.

A Skateboard Changes Everything

The new skateboard mechanic is more than just a novelty; it’s a key part of the gameplay. You can now use your skateboard to zip around the world, grind on rails, and even kick-flip off enemies. This new traversal option, which replaces the sprint button from the first game, adds a much-needed sense of speed and momentum to the experience. In the demo, which was set in a massive convention center called “ConCon,” the level design was built to take advantage of the skateboard, with half-pipes, grind rails, and ramps scattered throughout the environment. This turns what could have been a series of static corridors into a vibrant, dynamic playground. The skateboard also has a tactical use, as you can kick it at enemies to stun them, creating an opening for you to deal a killing blow. This level of synergy between the new mechanics and the core combat is a clear sign that the developers have put more thought into the moment-to-moment gameplay.

The Humor is Still There, But It’s Sharper

For players who loved the humor of the first game, fear not. High on Life 2 is still packed with the same brand of improv-heavy, satirical comedy. However, in the demo, the humor felt more integrated into the gameplay and less intrusive. The jokes are snappier, the one-liners are better, and the narrative dialogue never feels like it’s getting in the way of the action. The new cast of characters, including a hilarious new gun voiced by Ralph Ineson, adds a fresh layer to the comedy. The game also introduces a new hub world that is filled with a variety of absurd side quests and mini-games, including over five fully emulated, playable games, one of which is the bizarre “Bible Adventures,” a perfect fit for the game’s absurd tone. The developers have managed to find a better balance between the comedy and the action, creating a game where the jokes enhance the experience rather than distract from it.

After a somewhat underwhelming first game, High on Life 2 is a massive step forward. It takes a unique premise and gives it the strong gameplay foundation it always needed. The addition of the skateboard, the improved gunplay, and the smarter, more integrated humor make it a truly pleasant surprise and one of the most exciting games shown at Gamescom. For fans of the first game and for anyone looking for a well-made, hilarious shooter, High on Life 2, which launches on February 13, 2026, is a game you should keep an eye on.