High on Life

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 48
  3. Negative: 5 out of 48
  1. Guardian
    Dec 16, 2022
    40
    I’m a huge fan of the Oddworld-ian creature design and the factory-farming satire of its plot. But Oddworld made that stuff work because it had a big, weird heart. High on Life just has dilated pupils and a shit-eating grin.
  2. NME
    Dec 14, 2022
    40
    Technically proficient and lovely to look at, High on Life commits the cardinal sin of making the shooting part of the game feel underwhelming. A forgettable experience flecked with mediocre jokes.
  3. Pure Xbox
    Dec 13, 2022
    40
    High On Life combines sloppy shooter action with Justin Roiland and all of his pals being incredibly annoying. You're either going to love it or hate it, really, so it's lucky this one's hitting Game Pass so you can check it out and decide for yourselves. Personally, this reviewer hated the humour, there's something very off and deeply troubling at the heart of where this game is coming from, it feels as though it's looking down, sneering and hateful. But that's the comedy style it's going for so we guess we need to relax, bro. Some people are going to eat this stuff up, regardless of what we think, so it's a shame that it ties this sneering attitude to bland gameplay, tired puzzles, dumb AI and a world that just isn't fun to explore or inhabit in any way. Dude. That is harsh.
  5. WellPlayed
    Dec 24, 2022
    30
    An unsatisfying shooter brought even lower by an exhausting and all-encompassing script, High on Life can’t commit to its satire or ideas long enough to do anything of value.
  6. But Why Tho?
    Dec 12, 2022
    30
    Anyone who isn’t thrilled at the idea of having Roiland constantly chattering in their ear for a dozen hours straight will likely find the game’s incessant need to force itself on the player annoying. With the addition of uncompelling combat, frustrating exploration, and a lack of anything else to offer players, High on Life is one of the most annoying, derivative, and slogging experiences in years.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Eurogamer
    Dec 12, 2022
    A miserable cocktail of ideas from other action-platformers and the worst parts of Rick and Morty. [Eurogamer AVOID]
  2. Kotaku
    Dec 13, 2022
    This is quintessential Roiland humor: Drag out something for so long it starts to make the viewer uncomfortable, then drag it out a little longer until they start to uncomfortably laugh, then drive that laughter home with a dash more discomfort—see, now it’s hilarious. But whereas this formula works (mostly) well in a 22-minute-long Rick and Morty episode, by the time I’m several hours into High On Life, every line of dialogue makes it clear that somehow, I am not high enough.
  3. The Verge
    Dec 13, 2022
    My only major complaint lies in the abrupt ending, with no particular surprises after defeating the final boss or activities to finish. For a game that was filled with voices of the nattering guns, they are strangely silent once we laid waste to the big bad. It was odd and jarring. But, regardless, the destination was enjoyable and is very much worth your time if you enjoy a beautiful-looking, solid shooter that does not take itself at all seriously, with incredible performances from... well, talking guns, horny teddy bears, limbless bounty hunters, and fascist ant people.
  5. Xboxygen
    Jan 3, 2023
    A bit confusing at first, High On Life is an experience that can finally be enjoyed once you put some hours into it. Regarding its purely FPS component, even though it works very well, it was a bit too wishy-washy. Among the notable flaws, we have the lack of impact in gunfights, a small and repetitive bestiary and bosses that are too easy to take down. On the other hand, the idea of the Gatlians is interesting to explore and this irreverent, vulgar, trashy and absurd humour finally won us over and made us forget some of the game design’s shortcomings. Beware, however, that the lack of ergonomics, particularly with regard to subtitles, could put off many non-English-speaking players from getting involved in the adventure. Although imperfect, Squanch Games’ title remains a solid base for a new licence and manages to take us into its totally ludicrous universe despite quite a negative first impression. Well done!

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2022
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 664 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 517 out of 664
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 664
  3. Negative: 94 out of 664
  1. awais142
    Dec 15, 2022
    10
    PS5 BOTS WILL TRY TO PUT IN FAKE REVIEWS. IGNORE THEM. THEIR JEALOUS HOW MUCH THEIR CONSOLE ACTUALLY SUCKS.

    This game is absolutely freaking    PS5 BOTS WILL TRY TO PUT IN FAKE REVIEWS. IGNORE THEM. THEIR JEALOUS HOW MUCH THEIR CONSOLE ACTUALLY SUCKS.

    This game is absolutely freaking amazing and HILARIOUS. I love all the uniqueness of the weapons, and how beautiful the environments look. Especially, how creative the characters and their dialogue are and how funny it is to listen to. You can tell how hard the crew put their all into this game, with so much dialogue and fun combat. The character guns are so cool also, how they talk to you and how their own upgrades cater to them or how they react to everything around you and everyone else. Literally, makes you think how much time actually went into development into that alone. Even the A.I are hilarious, but VERY intelligent. The way they take cover, taunt you, and at times even are programmed to attack other A.I that they don't get along with. Amazing game can't wait to see all the more DLC guns and content for this sick game.    … Full Review »
  2. Arturos
    Dec 14, 2022
    9
    high on life is a masterpiece only haters and fake gamers will say otherwise,if you still don't know you can edit gun chatter that way justinhigh on life is a masterpiece only haters and fake gamers will say otherwise,if you still don't know you can edit gun chatter that way justin roiland and all his pals won't be annoying(for people who find them annoying or dont like joke)and i advise you to get high a lot you have to calm down at some point and stop taking everything at face value life is too short,
    the game is so funny and i'm a fan of rick and morty so yeah i hope to see a dlc or a sequel.    … Full Review »
  3. Steyraus
    Dec 14, 2022
    10
    Awsome Game, Games media were upset that this game wasn't inclusive enough and didn't have enough POC representation,,, even though it was setAwsome Game, Games media were upset that this game wasn't inclusive enough and didn't have enough POC representation,,, even though it was set on an Alien planet, filled with diverse Aliens..This game is full of originality and great humour. Tons of work must have gone into this experience with so many interactions voice acted and it pays off. Yet another game that proves not to listen to the ever offended Games Journalist's.… Full Review »
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