High on Life Xbox Series X Review
| Game: | High on Life |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Squanch Games |
| Developer: |
Since its release way back in 2005, It’s really quite surprising that Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath hasn’t been copied to some degree. Like any Oddworld game, it was quirky and original in its own way. Looking similar to Stranger’s Wrath with its talking cartoon weaponry (or Gatlians, as the game calls them) High on Life piqued a lot of people’s interest upon its reveal.
High on Life was conceived by Squanch Games. With that said, the FPS sci fi game has a certain brand of absurd humor which will work better for some than it does for others. But that’s humor for you. For me, I found the wit to be hit and miss, but I also discovered much to appreciate and amuse me over the course of the game. I particularly liked returning home to find my character’s sister interacting with Gene, a legless alien whom makes himself very much at home, perpetually sitting on the sofa and watching TV (he watches full length films, if you’re wondering).
High on Life does have a lot of spoken dialogue when playing the game, but if you think your weaponry chatters too much, an option does allow you to limit this speech somewhat. Speaking of limited speech, I encountered a number of sound bugs during my playthrough, resulting in quieter speech, or even no voices at all.
High on Life’s narrative sees aliens invade earth, thrusting you into the sudden role of a human bounty hunter. You soon find yourself armed with Kenny, a blue plasma pistol with an expressive face and eyes, and there’s also plenty of dialogue that leaves his mouth, including some very colourful language. Kenny will also be joined by another five weapons, including Knifey (a sweary knife), Gus (a powerful shotgun), Sweezy (a semi-automatic weapon, which kind of reminded me of Halo’s Needler), Creature (a gun that fires out little creatures), and there’s also one final weapon which I’ll leave for you to discover.
The combat is more than functional enough, and there’s plenty of fun to be had using the various weaponry with its unlimited ammo, as well as the sheer number of enemies to kill, some of whom are bounties, which are basically the game’s memorable bosses. With some of the gunfights going on for such a long time however, it can begin to feel slightly repetitive at times.
The weapons can also be equipped with mods and also have a helpful secondary fire ability, with Kenny firing out a big glob of goo, which sends enemies upwards, allowing you to satisfyingly fire at them in the air, often killing them before they hit the ground. Sweezy can slowdown enemies with a time bubble, Gus can suck foes towards you, and Creature can possess an enemy for a short time, forcing it to fight beside you.
Alongside your suit, High on Life’s zany weaponry can also be used to access previously inaccessible areas, unearthing secrets in the process such as currency from chests (used to buy suit and weapon upgrades) as well as collectible cards. As an example, once in your possession Knifey can open chests, Creature can fire little critters through pipes, Sweezy can slow down fast-moving fans, and Kenny can knock platforms down. Sometimes these are used in combination with one another, and when you factor in a jetpack and a grappling hook, well you get the idea – if you can’t find a way to reach something straight away, you may find that you’ll be able to return with something new to help you later on.
Squanch Games have created a fascinating cartoon sci fi world, and the level design offers much to like in its varied locations, ranging from neon-lit urban areas, swamps, deserts and more across 10+ hours of gameplay. With its cartoon styling, detail and beautiful lighting, it’s visually appealing as well. It’s definitely a game that can be called distinctive in its look. If there’s any drawbacks about the environments, it’s that there’s some areas that seem to be blocked by invisible barriers.
High on Life is a basic first person shooter, but it’s also a highly creative one with an enticingly explorable world and fun and over the top combat. The quirkiness and silly humor will also be a major draw for many, with both giving the game plenty of character as well as an identity all of its own.
