It is unusual for creators from other audiovisual sectors to want to enter the video game industry to offer their talent. However, when it does happen, there is often a certain magic in the titles they are involved in. This was the case with George R.R. Martin, creator of Game of Thrones, and his involvement in Elden Ring, one of FromSoftware's great successes, which achieved colossal sales figures worldwide. However, this is not the only case of its kind.

The creators of one of the most influential animated series of recent years, Rick & Morty, also wanted to taste success in the video game industry. They did so with High on Life, an FPS that featured the same artistic style as the series and a completely original story, but retained the large doses of humour that characterise the show. The result was a striking game that captured the attention of players, leading its creators to take things one step further.

High on Life 2 arrives as a continuity-driven sequel that aims to do what it does best: entertain players who dive into its world. Addressing the areas that players wanted to see improved from the first instalment, the Squanch Games team returns to prove that they have plenty of staying power in the video game industry.

The sequel that all fans had dreamed of

If anything defined the identity of the first instalment, it was undoubtedly its arsenal. The Gatlians, those talking alien weapons with their own personalities and a worrying propensity for insults, return in High on Life 2 with renewed mechanical depth. While combat in the original title could sometimes feel a bit stiff, Squanch Games has listened to community feedback to implement a much more fluid movement system. Now, verticality takes centre stage thanks to new movement abilities that turn every encounter into a dance of gunfire, tasteless jokes and neon explosions.

The variety of weapons has tripled, introducing new characters that not only serve to fire projectiles, but also act as key pieces in solving environmental puzzles. Each Gatlian now has a much more branched skill tree, allowing players to customise not only the damage they deal, but also the type of comments and reactions they make during battle. Would you prefer a weapon that cheers you on after each kill or one that mocks your poor aim? The 'emotional' customisation component of the weapons is a brilliant addition that reinforces the bond between the player and their team of wisecracking assassins.

In addition, the boss design has taken a giant leap forward. In this sequel, encounters are not limited to dodging projectiles in a closed arena; each major villain of the alien federation offers unique mechanics that masterfully parody other video game genres. From combat that emulates 2D fighting games to precision platforming stages, High on Life 2 uses its talking weaponry to guide the player through absurd situations that keep things fresh throughout the adventure. The power of the new graphics engine also allows the facial animations of our weapons to be more expressive than ever, making us truly feel like we are carrying an adventure companion in our hand rather than just a tool of destruction.

The funniest intergalactic satire in video games

Beyond the shooting, the heart of this franchise lies in its writing. High on Life 2 expands the known universe by taking players to much larger and denser planets, where exploration is rewarded with side dialogues that are true comedic gems. The writing team, direct heirs to the irreverent style of Rick & Morty, has crafted a plot that serves as a scathing critique of modern society, space bureaucracy and, of course, the clichés of the video game industry itself. Every corner of the map hides an NPC you can interact with, and most of the time, these conversations end up in situations so surreal that it's impossible not to burst out laughing.

The narrative has become somewhat more branched, allowing the player's decisions, and which weapons they choose to equip at any given moment, to slightly alter the course of certain missions. It's not an RPG with profound moral choices, but the game makes a point of acknowledging the player's actions, which adds a welcome layer of interactivity for a title of this nature. The 'television moments', those snippets of absurd programmes from the first instalment, return with a much more ambitious production, including cameos from well-known figures in the world of animation and stand-up comedy.

High on Life 2 confirms that the success of the first instalment was no fluke. By polishing the rough edges of combat and exponentially expanding its humour and world, Squanch Games has delivered a sequel that surpasses the original in every conceivable way.