High on Life

About High on Life

High on Life is a third-person shooter and adventure game developed by Squanch Games, the team behind Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites. Released on December 13, 2022, it’s available on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game follows a directionless teenager thrust into a war against an alien cartel harvesting humans. You team up with eccentric talking guns to fight back, blending over-the-top action with Roiland’s signature absurd humor. It’s a chaotic romp through a sci-fi world where your weapon arsenal has personalities and the stakes are delightfully low.

Gameplay

High on Life mixes open-world exploration with gunplay and RPG elements. You navigate a large New York-like city, completing missions to take down alien gang members. Combat centers on switching between up to four talking guns, each with distinct abilities, like a flamethrower that roasts enemies or a sniper rifle that mocks your aim. Missions often involve stealth, shootouts, or platforming, with randomized loot drops to upgrade weapons. The controls feel responsive but occasionally floaty, and the third-person camera can struggle in tight spaces. Sessions blend action with light dialogue choices and quirky side quests, making each playthrough feel messy and fun.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 7.1/10, with IGDB at 70.7/100 from 179 critics. 35% of players complete the game, averaging 18 hours to finish. 42% list it as a “play again” title, while 28% say it’s a one-and-done. Reviews praise the combat creativity and Roiland’s humor but criticize the open world’s repetitive side content and bugs. One user wrote, “The guns are hilarious, but the world feels like filler.” Another noted, “It’s a wild ride with enough charm to keep me playing.” Completion rates drop after the mid-game due to slower pacing, but achievements (37 total, 40 hours to 100%) reward persistence.

PlayPile's Take

High on Life works best for fans of chaotic humor and gunplay variety. At $29.99, it offers decent value for its 18-hour average runtime, though completionists may want to wait for a discount. The talking guns and weapon upgrades shine, but the open world drags without a compelling reason to explore. It’s not a masterpiece, but the zany energy and combat creativity make it a worthwhile pick for players who enjoy offbeat shooters with personality. Stick to story mode if the side quests feel tedious.

Storyline

Fresh out of high school with no job and no ambition, you've really got nothing going for you until an alien cartel that wants to get high off humanity invades Earth. Now, you and a team of charismatic talking guns must answer the hero's call and become the deadliest intergalactic bounty hunter the cosmos has ever seen.