High on Life 2 improves on its predecessor with skateboarding that gives its fights and traversal more pace, plus a campaign that keeps changing its activities. TechRadar reviewer Scott McCrae found it funnier and bolder than the original after 18 hours on PS5 Pro—but he also encountered frame-rate drops, freezes and bugs. The sequel’s strengths are clear; so is the caveat that its technical polish fell short in his playthrough.
Skateboarding gives the sequel its biggest change
The defining addition is a skateboard. Grinding and sliding through levels while fighting makes movement feel faster and, in McCrae’s assessment, improves the pace of combat. It is more than a way to get from one encounter to the next: the mechanic changes how fights and traversal flow together.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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High on Life 2 - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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High on Life 2 - Nintendo Switch 2 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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High on Life 2 - Xbox Series X | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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High on Life 2 (Playstation 5) | $41.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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High on Life 2 (PS5) | $49.50 | Buy on Amazon |
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That faster movement is central to why the sequel feels like a meaningful follow-up rather than a simple repeat. McCrae described it as “a funnier, bolder, and – crucially – faster sequel,” while noting that it still needed more polish on performance. That is his review judgment, not a measured comparison of frame rates or an independent platform test.
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The campaign mixes hunts with side activities
The campaign varies its targets and activities instead of relying only on a sequence of straightforward fights. McCrae describes episodic hunts, mysteries, conventions and boss encounters, alongside side quests and diversions such as skating time trials. The variety gives the game room to alternate between combat, exploration and more unusual set pieces.
#1 Best Overall
- An intergalactic conspiracy threatens the fate of humanity! Team up with a wide cast of talking alien guns as you shoot, stab, and skate your way through the exotic locales to take down the bad guys and save your favorite species (humans)!
- Kickflip alien cops in the face and grind your way to freedom with your brand new SKATEBOARD.
- Get up close and personal with an eccentric cast of bizarre and subversive lifeforms voiced by an ALL-STAR COMEDY CAST.
- Wreak havoc at the galaxy’s biggest convention, an alien zoo for humans, and a luxury futuristic cruiseliner on your cosmic quest to TAKE DOWN BIG PHARMA.
In his 18-hour playthrough, McCrae completed the main campaign and skating challenges, and also tried side content that included a zoo trip, an escape room and a comedy club. That is the scope of his reported run, not a guarantee of how long every player will take or a claim that it covers every activity.
The humor is better for this reviewer, but remains a matter of taste
McCrae found the comedy stronger overall than in the first High On Life, but he still calls out jokes and characters that can be annoying or groan-worthy. The series’ crude, irreverent humor is therefore still a real fit question: if it was the main reason the original did not work for you, the sequel’s improved pace and broader campaign may not change that reaction.
Rank #2
- BLAST your way through enemies with an arsenal of charismatic alien firepower in high-octane hyperactive combat.
- Kickflip alien cops in the face and grind your way to freedom with your sick-as-hell new SKATEBOARD.
- Cut it up with an eccentric cast of bizarre and subversive lifeforms who all think you’re HOT AS HELL.
- Wreak havoc at the galaxy’s biggest convention, get lost in the mysterious woods of a medieval planet, and slash your way through the belly of a sea beast on your cosmic quest to take down Big Pharma.
- Game-Key Card: Full game download via internet required.
PS5 Pro performance issues temper the verdict
McCrae’s PS5 Pro playthrough included frame-rate problems during a boss encounter, occasional freezing, and bugs such as falling through geometry and a final-boss malfunction. Those issues are material to his review: they interrupt a game whose faster combat depends on movement and momentum.
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These are events reported by one reviewer on one platform and build. They do not establish how often the problems occur for other players, whether they affect other platforms, or how performance compares across current versions. If technical reliability is a priority, check recent reports for the specific platform and version you plan to play rather than treating this PS5 Pro account as a universal verdict.
Rank #3
- FEATURES BLAST your way through enemies with an arsenal of charismatic alien firepower in high-octane hyperactive combat. Kickflip alien cops in the face and grind your way to freedom with your brand new SKATEBOARD. Get up close and personal with an eccentric cast of bizarre and subversive lifeforms voiced by an ALL-STAR COMEDY CAST. Wreak havoc at the galaxy’s biggest convention, an alien zoo for humans, and a luxury futuristic cruiseliner on your cosmic quest to TAKE DOWN BIG PHARMA.
Platforms, release and PS5 listing
Squanch Games announced the game’s February 13, 2026 launch for Xbox, PlayStation and PC, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The publisher also lists a Nintendo Switch 2 version; its March 23, 2026 update moved that version’s release date from April 20 to July 1, 2026. Since that date has passed, check the publisher’s current listing for its availability.
The US PlayStation Store lists the PS5 edition as a single-player game with offline play and showed a price of $39.99 when accessed. Store prices and availability can change, so verify the listing before buying.
Rank #4
- BLAST your way through enemies with an arsenal of charismatic alien firepower in high-octane hyperactive combat.
- Kickflip alien cops in the face and grind your way to freedom with your sick-as-hell new SKATEBOARD.
- Cut it up with an eccentric cast of bizarre and subversive lifeforms who all think you’re HOT AS HELL.
- Wreak havoc at the galaxy’s biggest convention, get lost in the mysterious woods of a medieval planet, and slash your way through the belly of a sea beast on your cosmic quest to take down Big Pharma.
Who should play High on Life 2?
- Consider it if: you want a shooter with unusually fluid traversal, like the first game’s comic sensibility, or enjoy campaigns that mix boss fights with side activities and set pieces.
- Think twice if: the original’s humor wore thin for you, or you are particularly sensitive to bugs and frame-rate problems. The review’s technical concerns come from PS5 Pro play and cannot settle how another platform performs.
On balance, McCrae’s 18-hour review presents High On Life 2 as a sequel that meaningfully improves its action and variety, with humor that still will not suit everyone. Its momentum makes a strong case for the follow-up, while the reported technical problems keep the recommendation qualified.
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Best Value
- Shoot your way through hordes of opponents with a whole range of charismatic alien weapons in fast-paced, hyperactive battles
- Join the alien cops in the face and grin yourself into freedom with your mega-crass new skateboard
- Fall into a crazy life with an eccentric troop of bizarre and subversive creatures that all find you right sharp
- Contents: the game and a bonus weapons Skin DLC (code is included in the box)
Sources
- Scott McCrae’s TechRadar review
- Squanch Games launch announcement
- US PlayStation Store listing
- Squanch Games Switch 2 release update
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
