High on Life, the chaotic, foul-mouthed sci-fi shooter from Justin Roiland’s Squanch Games, just found a new home on the Nintendo Switch—and it’s a surprisingly perfect match for the handheld. With its vibrant visuals, eccentric characters, and offbeat humor, the game thrives on a portable screen where its cartoonish style and irreverent tone feel right at home.
But the Switch port is just one part of a broader expansion that’s kept High on Life relevant well beyond its initial 2022 release.
A Growing Universe: Now on All Major Platforms
Originally a console exclusive for Xbox (and a PC launch title on Game Pass), High on Life has since expanded its reach to include PlayStation 4 and 5, and now Nintendo Switch as of March 27, 2025. The Switch version runs surprisingly well, with optimized performance that maintains visual fidelity while making minor compromises on frame rate and effects. Whether you’re docked or playing handheld, the core experience remains intact—talking guns, grotesque alien landscapes, and all.
Game Pass, Cloud Gaming, and Accessibility
One of the biggest accessibility wins came in late 2024, when High on Life became fully playable through Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. This allows players to stream the game to phones, tablets, or low-spec PCs, further expanding its reach. For a game that doesn’t require pixel-perfect precision and leans heavily on comedic narrative, the cloud format works surprisingly well.
The “High on Knife” DLC Added Depth—and Gore
In October 2023, the “High on Knife” DLC added a horror-comedy twist to the game. Centered around Knifey (yes, the bloodthirsty blade companion), this expansion brought more grotesque enemies, new weapons, and darker environments. It struck a different tone than the base game but still delivered on Squanch’s signature absurdity. Fans of the core experience praised the DLC for pushing the boundaries of tone without losing the heart of the original.
Merch, Lore, and a Growing Fandom
Beyond gameplay, High on Life continues to grow its presence through physical merchandise and a newly released comic series that dives deeper into the universe’s bizarre lore. Kenny—the neurotic, wise-cracking gun—is now available as a plushie, tapping into fans’ affection for the game’s talking arsenal. The comic series adds backstory and expands on side characters, building what looks to be a long-term franchise.
Will There Be a Sequel?
The biggest question on fans’ minds remains: will we get High on Life 2? While Squanch Games hasn’t officially announced a follow-up, the ending of the base game and some subtle hints in the DLC suggest the studio isn’t done with this universe. Community forums have been abuzz with speculation, and the game’s ongoing updates show Squanch is still invested. Given the commercial success and meme-worthy appeal of the original, a sequel seems not just likely—but inevitable.
From console expansions to cloud gaming and plushie merch, High on Life has quietly become one of the most enduringly weird and entertaining shooters of the decade. Its arrival on Switch isn’t just a novelty—it’s a reminder of how well creative risk-taking can pay off when supported with consistent updates and fan engagement.
Key Takeaways
- High on Life has received technical updates with new graphics modes while becoming cloud playable on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- Kenny plushies are now available for purchase, expanding the game’s merchandise offerings.
- Fan interest in a potential sequel remains high following completion of the base game and DLC content.
Latest Updates and Developments
High on Life continues to evolve with exciting new features and partnerships. The game development team has been busy implementing improvements while expanding to new platforms.
Upcoming Content and Features
High on Life appears to be expanding its availability to new platforms. According to search results, the game is currently available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. While Squanch Games hasn’t made an official announcement yet, there are indications that High on Life will be appearing at the IGN San Diego Comic-Con Takeover event, possibly to reveal new platform releases.
The development team released the “High on Knife” DLC, which is now available across all supported platforms. Players can purchase this new content individually or as part of bundle packages that include the base game.
Despite the departure of Justin Roiland, Squanch Games has confirmed they will continue making games in this universe. A comic series has also been released as a spin-off sequel, expanding the High on Life storyline.
User Interface (UI) Enhancements
The fourth patch for High on Life introduced significant improvements to the gameplay experience. Most notably, the update added new “Quality” and “Performance” options, giving players more control over how the game runs on their systems.
These new settings allow players to prioritize either visual fidelity or smoother framerates depending on their preferences and hardware capabilities. This improvement addresses previous performance concerns some players had expressed since launch.
The UI enhancements demonstrate Squanch Games’ commitment to improving the player experience through regular updates and responding to community feedback.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Squanch Games has been working with several partners to expand the High on Life universe. Alternate Side Productions appears to be involved in developing additional content for the franchise, though specific details remain limited.
Striker Entertainment may be handling licensing and merchandise opportunities for the High on Life brand, potentially bringing the game’s unique characters and humor to new products.
The appearance at IGN’s San Diego Comic-Con Takeover suggests strategic media partnerships to boost visibility. These collaborations indicate Squanch Games is pursuing a multi-channel approach to growing the High on Life franchise beyond just the game itself.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
High on Life has made significant waves in the gaming industry since its release, establishing itself as both a commercial success and a creative milestone in the FPS genre. The game’s unique approach to storytelling and gameplay mechanics have influenced how developers think about creating engaging content.
Market Reception and Player Base Growth
High on Life enjoyed substantial success upon its initial release, benefiting greatly from its inclusion in Xbox Game Pass. This distribution strategy helped the title reach a wider audience than might have been possible through traditional sales channels alone.
According to industry data, transaction-based game revenues across the market saw a 39% increase in 2022, reaching over $1.2 billion, with titles like High on Life contributing to this growth. The game’s player base expanded significantly following its PlayStation 5 release, despite some reported performance and animation issues.
The game’s unique talking weapons concept and humor-driven narrative created a distinctive position in the crowded FPS market. Its success demonstrated that innovative gameplay mechanics can still capture audience attention in a saturated genre.
Comparative Analysis with Other Titles
When compared to other FPS titles, High on Life stands out for its comedy elements and distinctive art style. Unlike more serious military or sci-fi shooters, it carved out a niche through its irreverent tone and unique gaming universe.
The game’s success has prompted other developers to reconsider how humor can be integrated into action games. Traditional FPS franchises typically focus on realistic combat or tense atmospheres, while High on Life proved that comedy and shooting mechanics can blend effectively.
The upcoming animated series adaptation follows a growing trend of successful video games expanding into other media forms. This cross-media expansion represents a significant achievement compared to competitor titles that remain confined to gaming platforms.
The game also differs from traditional platformers by integrating movement mechanics with shooting elements, creating a hybrid experience that appeals to fans of multiple genres.
Frequently Asked Questions
High on Life fans have many questions about updates, sequels, and availability. The latest developments address some of these burning questions while leaving others still up in the air.
What are the latest content updates for High on Life?
The most recent update for High on Life includes cloud playability with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, announced for November 26, 2024. This feature allows players to enjoy the game without needing to download it fully.
Additionally, Kenny plushies were released for sale on October 3, 2024, giving fans merchandise options from the popular talking gun character.
Has DLC been announced for High on Life?
No official DLC has been announced for High on Life recently. However, Squanch Games has released a comic series that serves as a spin-off sequel to the original game.
This suggests the company is expanding the High on Life universe through different media rather than traditional game DLC.
Are there any news on High on Life’s availability for PS4?
Currently, there is no official announcement regarding High on Life coming to PlayStation 4. The game remains available on PC and Xbox platforms.
The recent focus on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud playability suggests the game continues to strengthen its position in the Microsoft ecosystem rather than expanding to Sony consoles.
What is the status of High on Life 2’s development?
While there is no official confirmation of High on Life 2, Squanch Games has stated they will continue making games despite losing co-founder Justin Roiland.
The comic series spin-off serves as a sequel in some capacity, indicating the company wants to continue the franchise but may not yet be ready to announce a full game sequel.
Where can updates on High on Life be found on social media?
Official updates for High on Life can be found on Squanch Games’ social media accounts and their official website under “Squanch News.”
The company regularly posts announcements about merchandise, game updates, and other High on Life related content through these channels.
Has High on Life 2 been cancelled or confirmed?
High on Life 2 has neither been officially cancelled nor confirmed. Squanch Games has only mentioned they will continue to make games following Roiland’s departure.
The studio appears to be keeping the franchise alive through alternative means like comics while possibly working on future game plans behind the scenes.
