If you’re looking for a quick take on High On Life for PC, here’s the deal: it’s a chaotic, hilariously crude first-person shooter that leans heavily into its unique brand of humor, often at the expense of polished gameplay. Developed by Squanch Games, the brainchild of Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland, this game delivers exactly what you’d expect: talking guns, absurd alien worlds, and a non-stop barrage of meta-commentary and profanity-laced jokes. While the PC port generally runs well, providing a stable experience for most modern systems, the core gameplay loop can feel repetitive, and the humor, though divisive, is undeniably the main draw. It’s a game for those who appreciate Roiland’s specific comedic style and are willing to overlook some jank for a laugh-out-loud narrative.
For those into a high-energy PC gaming experience, especially with a title as vibrant as High On Life, optimizing your setup can make a significant difference. Here’s a rundown of some products that can enhance your gameplay, productivity, and overall PC experience, from peripherals that give you an edge to components that keep things running smoothly.
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Logitech G502 HERO High Performance Wired Gaming Mouse
- Key Features: HERO 25K Sensor up to 25,600 DPI, 11 programmable buttons, adjustable weights, LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting.
- Average Price: $40-$60
- Pros: Highly precise tracking, comfortable ergonomic design, extensive customization options, durable build quality, excellent value for its features.
- Cons: Wired-only if you prefer wireless, can be heavy for some users even without additional weights.
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HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset
- Key Features: Virtual 7.1 surround sound, 53mm neodymium drivers, detachable noise-cancelling microphone, memory foam ear cushions, durable aluminum frame.
- Average Price: $70-$100
- Pros: Exceptional comfort for long gaming sessions, clear audio quality, effective noise cancellation on the mic, robust construction.
- Cons: 7.1 surround sound is software-driven and not always universally preferred, mic can sound slightly compressed.
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Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 1TB NVMe M.2
- Key Features: NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 interface, sequential read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 3,300 MB/s, V-NAND technology.
- Average Price: $80-$120
- Pros: Blazing fast load times for games and applications, significantly improves overall system responsiveness, reliable and widely compatible.
- Cons: Requires an M.2 slot on your motherboard, can be more expensive per gigabyte than traditional SATA SSDs.
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Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
- Key Features: Cherry MX mechanical keyswitches various types available, aircraft-grade aluminum frame, per-key RGB backlighting, dedicated media controls, detachable wrist rest.
- Average Price: $120-$170
- Pros: Extremely durable, satisfying tactile feedback from mechanical switches, vibrant RGB customization, convenient media controls.
- Cons: Can be noisy depending on switch type, higher price point, software iCUE can be resource-intensive.
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- Key Features: 15 customizable LCD keys, integrated stand, removable faceplate, powerful software for hotkeys, macros, and smart profiles.
- Average Price: $150-$180
- Pros: Automates complex tasks with a single button press, vastly improves workflow for streamers and content creators, intuitive drag-and-drop setup.
- Cons: Niche product if you’re not streaming or heavily multitasking, higher price for what is essentially a specialized macro pad.
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Arctic P12 PWM PST Value Pack 5 Fans
- Key Features: Optimized for static pressure, PWM PST Daisy Chain for simplified cable management, fluid dynamic bearing, wide RPM range 200-1800 RPM.
- Average Price: $30-$40 for a 5-pack
- Pros: Excellent cooling performance, very quiet operation, great value for a multi-pack, easy installation with daisy-chaining.
- Cons: Not RGB if that’s a priority for aesthetics, static pressure optimization is best for radiators or restrictive cases, not as ideal for open airflow.
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- Key Features: Multiple pattern selection cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, stereo, plug-and-play USB connectivity, built-in headphone jack for monitoring.
- Average Price: $90-$130
- Pros: Delivers clear, broadcast-quality audio, versatile for various recording scenarios, simple setup for beginners, sturdy build.
- Cons: Sensitive to background noise, can pick up keyboard clicks easily, requires careful positioning to avoid plosives.
The PC Performance Playbook: Getting High On Life to Run Smoothly
Alright, let’s talk about getting High On Life to play nice on your PC. You’ve got this wild, vibrant game, and you want it to run without a hitch. While it’s not the most graphically demanding title out there, its unique art style and rapid-fire action mean that a solid setup makes a difference. We’re not chasing bleeding-edge benchmarks, but we are aiming for smooth, consistent frames so you don’t miss a single one of Kenny’s questionable remarks.
System Requirements: What You Actually Need
Forget the marketing fluff. what are the barebones and recommended specs for High On Life? Knowing this is your first step to troubleshooting or simply ensuring you’re in the ballpark. The game uses Unreal Engine 4, which is generally well-optimized, but its stylized graphics can still tax older systems.
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Minimum Specs Getting it to run:
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4430K or AMD FX-6300
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB or AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 45 GB available space SSD recommended
- Our Take: This is playable, but don’t expect max settings or a buttery-smooth 60 FPS. You’ll likely be tweaking settings down to “low” or “medium” for a stable experience, especially in busier combat scenarios. Having an SSD is crucial here, as it minimizes loading times and texture pop-in.
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Recommended Specs The Sweet Spot:
- Processor: Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB
- DirectX: Version 12
- Storage: 45 GB available space SSD strongly recommended
- Our Take: This is where you want to be for a consistently good experience. You should be able to run the game at high settings at 1080p, aiming for 60+ FPS. This setup allows the game’s vibrant visuals to shine without constant frame drops, keeping you immersed in the absurdity. 16GB of RAM is increasingly standard for modern gaming, and it helps with overall system stability and multitasking.
Optimizing In-Game Settings for Peak Performance
You’ve got the hardware, now let’s dial in those in-game settings. It’s about finding that sweet spot between visual fidelity and smooth framerates. High On Life gives you a decent array of options, and knowing which ones are resource hogs is key.
- Resolution: Always start here. Playing at your monitor’s native resolution is ideal. If performance is an issue, consider lowering it, but usually, tweaking other settings first is better. 1080p is the most common target.
- Upscaling Technologies DLSS/FSR: If you have an NVIDIA RTX card DLSS or an AMD card FSR, use them. These technologies render the game at a lower resolution and then intelligently upscale it, giving you a significant performance boost with minimal visual degradation. Setting DLSS/FSR to “Quality” or “Balanced” often provides the best balance.
- Shadow Quality: This is almost always a performance killer. Lowering shadows from “Epic” to “High” or even “Medium” can yield significant FPS gains without making the game look terrible. Real-time shadows are computationally intensive.
- Global Illumination: This setting affects how light interacts with surfaces and can be quite demanding. Dropping it down a notch can free up resources.
- View Distance: While important for immersion, a slight reduction might not be noticeable but can help.
- Post-Processing: Effects like bloom, depth of field, and motion blur can be visually subjective and impact performance. Consider turning off motion blur entirely if you dislike the visual smear, and experiment with post-processing quality.
- Texture Quality: This primarily impacts VRAM usage. If you have a GPU with 6GB+ VRAM, you can typically run this on “High” or “Epic.” If you’re on a 3GB or 4GB card, stick to “Medium” or “Low” to avoid stuttering.
- Anti-Aliasing: Tames jagged edges. TSR Temporal Super Resolution is often the default and performs well. If available, FXAA is less demanding than TAA, but also less effective.
Pro Tip: Don’t just slap everything on “Epic.” Start with recommended settings, then test each demanding setting individually, dropping it down one level and observing the FPS change. This scientific approach saves time and ensures you’re optimizing effectively. A good target for any single-player game like this is 60 FPS or higher for a fluid experience.
The Humorous Heart: Dissecting High On Life‘s Comedy
If you’ve played High On Life, you know the humor is the main event. It’s not just a side dish. it’s the entire buffet. Justin Roiland’s signature style, honed through Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites, is front and center. This means rapid-fire, often improvisational-sounding dialogue, meta-commentary, absurd situations, and a generous helping of profanity. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but undeniably the game’s most defining characteristic.
Justin Roiland’s Signature Style in Action
For those familiar with Roiland’s previous work, High On Life feels like an interactive episode of Rick and Morty, albeit with a slightly different creative team contributing. The humor is pervasive, integrated into almost every aspect of the game.
- Talking Guns: The core mechanic and source of much of the humor. Each Gatlian the sentient weapons has a distinct personality and will relentlessly chat, quip, and complain. Kenny voiced by Roiland is the default and most prominent, offering sarcastic observations and often breaking the fourth wall. Gus, a shotgun, provides gruff, no-nonsense commentary. Sweezy, the submachine gun, is more aloof and dismissive. The constant banter, often overlapping, creates a chaotic, almost improvisational feel.
- Meta-Commentary: The game frequently acknowledges that it’s a video game. Characters will discuss gameplay mechanics, criticize player choices, or make self-aware jokes about tropes. One memorable example is when NPCs directly address the player, discussing the difficulty or the logic of their actions. This can be genuinely funny, but also occasionally pull you out of the immersion if you’re not on board with the style.
- Absurdist Scenarios: From a society run by a baby-eating alien cartel to bizarre alien creatures with unique quirks, the game thrives on absurdity. The environments, characters, and plot points are consistently outlandish, providing a rich canvas for the comedic dialogue. The bounty system, for instance, often involves tracking down hilariously specific, often incompetent, alien targets.
- Crude and Profane Language: This is not a game for kids. Expect frequent swearing, gross-out humor, and mature themes. It’s an integral part of the game’s identity and will likely be a major factor in whether you enjoy the comedy. The relentless F-bombs and vulgar descriptions are part of the charm for some, and a turn-off for others.
When the Jokes Land, and When They Don’t
Like any comedy, High On Life‘s humor is subjective. For fans of Roiland’s previous work, it largely lands, but even then, there are moments where it can feel a bit much.
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The Good: Creative Zen Hybrid Review
- Genuine Laughs: When the jokes hit, they hit hard. The unexpected lines, the character interactions, and the sheer audacity of some situations can be incredibly funny. The various TV shows you can watch within the game, often featuring bizarre, self-contained alien comedies, are a particular highlight for many.
- Unique Personalities: The talking guns genuinely feel like characters with their own motivations and quirks, adding depth to the otherwise simple gameplay. Their reactions to your actions, or even just idle chatter, keep things engaging.
- Pacing Sometimes: While dialogue is constant, there are moments where the game allows the jokes to breathe, setting up longer gags or comedic situations.
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The Not-So-Good:
- Overwhelm and Repetition: The constant chatter can become overwhelming. Sometimes, multiple characters are talking over each other, making it hard to follow. The reliance on improvisation also means some jokes are repeated, or don’t land as effectively on subsequent listens. There are moments where you just want the guns to shut up so you can focus on the action.
- Divisive Nature: If you don’t like Roiland’s specific brand of humor, there’s very little else High On Life offers to keep you engaged. The gameplay is solid but not revolutionary, meaning the comedy is the primary hook. Player reviews are often split down the middle based purely on how well the humor resonates with them.
- Forced Comedy: Occasionally, it feels like the game is trying too hard to be funny, leading to jokes that fall flat or feel shoehorned in. The randomness can sometimes feel less organic and more… well, random.
Ultimately, High On Life‘s comedy is its defining feature. It’s loud, it’s crude, it’s meta, and it’s pervasive. If you’re looking for a game that will genuinely make you laugh out loud and appreciate a unique, no-holds-barred comedic approach, it’s worth checking out. If you prefer more traditional narratives or less in-your-face humor, proceed with caution.
Gameplay Mechanics: A Familiar Yet Quirky FPS Experience
Beneath the thick layer of irreverent humor, High On Life is, at its core, a first-person shooter. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does add enough quirky mechanics and personality to make the familiar feel fresh, at least for a while. The gameplay loop centers around bounty hunting, exploration, and utilizing your talking arsenal.
Combat and Weapons: The Sentient Arsenal
The star of the show, outside of the comedy, is your collection of “Gatlians”—sentient firearms, each with unique abilities and, of course, a distinctive voice. This isn’t just a cosmetic choice.
Their special abilities are integral to combat and puzzle-solving.
- Kenny Pistol: Your starter gun, voiced by Justin Roiland. He’s the most vocal. His special ability is a Glob Shot, a projectile that can bounce off surfaces, useful for hitting targets around corners or activating distant switches. In combat, he’s your reliable, rapid-fire option.
- Gus Shotgun: A gruff, no-nonsense shotgun with a powerful blast. His special ability is the Disc Launch, which fires a saw blade that can ricochet off walls, hitting multiple enemies or destroying obstacles. It’s incredibly satisfying for crowd control.
- Sweezy SMG: The aloof and stylish submachine gun. Her special ability is a Time Bubble, slowing down enemies or fast-moving environmental hazards, essential for navigating certain platforming segments or setting up perfect shots. She’s great for sustained fire.
- Creature Grenade Launcher: A squishy, adorable creature that fires smaller creatures. Its special ability is launching a Swarm of Mites that home in on enemies or can activate specific environmental elements. This gun excels at area-of-effect damage and clearing groups.
- Lezduit Beam Weapon: The final and most powerful Gatlian, an energetic beam weapon that can melt enemies and certain obstacles. Its special ability is a sustained Energy Beam that can cut through reinforced materials or activate powerful energy conduits.
Combat Flow: The game encourages active movement. You’ll be strafing, jumping, and utilizing your special abilities in conjunction with your primary fire. Each Gatlian serves a purpose in different combat scenarios, prompting you to switch between them frequently. Mastering the special abilities is key to surviving tougher encounters and boss fights.
Exploration and Platforming: Beyond the Blasting
High On Life isn’t just about shooting. It features significant elements of exploration and light platforming, often utilizing your Gatlians’ unique movement abilities.
- Mouth as a Grapple: Your main character’s suit has a “Mag-Boots” equivalent, but instead of magnetic boots, your suit’s mouth becomes a grapple hook or rather, a tongue that can latch onto designated grapple points. This is used extensively for traversal across chasms and vertical environments.
- Jetpack/Boost Jumps: As you progress, you unlock a jetpack-like ability that allows for extended jumps and hovering, crucial for reaching hidden areas and navigating complex platforming challenges.
- Environmental Puzzles: Many areas require using a Gatlian’s special ability to proceed. This might involve:
- Using Kenny’s Glob Shot to activate a distant switch.
- Gus’s Disc Launch to cut through overgrown vines blocking a path.
- Sweezy’s Time Bubble to slow down fast-moving gears or platforms.
- Creature’s Mites to activate a swarm-controlled mechanism.
- Lezduit’s Beam to power a dormant alien device.
- Hidden Collectibles: The game is rife with hidden chests, collectibles, and side activities, encouraging players to thoroughly explore each biome. Finding all the “Luglox” chests which contain currency is a common objective, and many are tucked away behind clever environmental puzzles.
The mix of shooting, unique weapon abilities, and traversal keeps the gameplay from feeling entirely stagnant, though the core loop of “go to bounty, kill things, return” does become predictable over time.
The humor and narrative are what genuinely elevate this familiar FPS structure.
World Design and Atmosphere: A Trip Through Alien Chaos
One of the most striking aspects of High On Life is its incredibly vibrant, often grotesque, and thoroughly alien world design. Squanch Games has fully committed to creating a universe that feels both absurd and surprisingly lived-in, brimming with unique creatures, bizarre architecture, and an overall chaotic atmosphere. Brother Ads 3300W Wireless High Speed Desktop Scanner Review
From Blim City to Alien Biomes
Your journey begins in Blim City, a bustling, somewhat dilapidated metropolitan hub for various alien species. This serves as your main hub, where you can:
- Interact with NPCs: Many of whom offer hilarious, often unsettling, dialogue. You’ll encounter a wide array of alien designs, from multi-eyed beings to blob-like creatures, all contributing to the chaotic urban sprawl.
- Shop for Upgrades: The in-game currency, “Pesos,” is used to buy weapon upgrades, suit abilities, and other useful items from vendors.
- Take on Bounties: The Bounty Hunter’s Guild is where you pick up your missions, propelling you to different planets and environments.
- Watch Interdimensional Cable: A clear nod to Rick and Morty, your home TV offers a vast array of absurd, often improv-style, alien TV shows and commercials. This is a unique environmental storytelling element that reinforces the game’s comedic tone.
As you embark on bounties, you’ll travel to vastly different alien biomes, each with its own aesthetic and challenges:
- Jungle Planets: Lush, overgrown environments filled with carnivorous plants, strange fauna, and ancient ruins. Navigation often involves platforming through dense foliage and using your Gatlians to clear paths.
- Industrial Complexes: Grimy, metallic structures belonging to the G3 cartel, filled with turrets, security systems, and more heavily armed enemies. These areas lean into traditional FPS corridor shooting.
- Urban Slums: Densely packed, grimy alien cities beyond Blim City, showcasing the underbelly of alien society with its own unique residents and challenges.
Visual Diversity: The game makes good use of its Unreal Engine foundation to deliver distinct visual styles for each area. While not pushing photorealism, the stylized graphics and vibrant color palette create a memorable look. The creature designs are particularly standout, from the smallest background critter to the massive boss aliens.
Environmental Storytelling and Interactive Elements
Beyond the visual appeal, the world of High On Life is rich with interactive elements and subtle and not-so-subtle environmental storytelling that reinforces its quirky nature.
- Gatlian Reactions: Your talking guns constantly react to the environment, pointing out interesting details, complaining about the weather, or commenting on alien architecture. This isn’t just flavor. it makes the world feel more alive and personal.
- NPC Dialogue: Every NPC you encounter, even those just walking by, often has unique lines of dialogue, sometimes responding directly to your presence or discussing ongoing events in the world. Overhearing conversations can provide genuinely funny insights into alien culture.
- Interactive Objects: Beyond just shooting, many environmental objects can be interacted with in humorous ways. You might find a human-sized toilet, activate a bizarre alien vending machine, or discover hidden pathways by shooting a specific plant.
- Hidden Details: The developers have packed the world with small, often easy-to-miss details that add to the humor and lore. This encourages exploration and rewards players who take their time to scour every corner. Look out for odd posters, strange graffiti, or hidden collectibles that offer more comedic dialogue.
The world design of High On Life is a testament to Squanch Games’ commitment to their comedic vision. It’s chaotic, gross, and utterly unique, serving as the perfect backdrop for the game’s signature humor and outlandish narrative. You might not always know what’s going on, but you’ll definitely be entertained by the sheer spectacle of it all.
Narrative and Storytelling: A Plot as Absurd as the Dialogue
Let’s be real, you’re not playing High On Life for its groundbreaking narrative depth or emotionally resonant characters. You’re here for the laughs, the absurdity, and the sheer chaos. And in that regard, the story absolutely delivers. It’s a classic hero’s journey, but filtered through the warped lens of Justin Roiland’s unique comedic style.
The Premise: Humanity, Meet Your New Overlords
The setup is simple, yet ludicrous:
- Earth is Invaded: Our story kicks off with a sudden, unprovoked invasion by the G3 cartel, a notorious alien crime syndicate. Their motive? To use humanity as a new drug source. Yes, you read that right. Humans are apparently a potent intoxicant for these aliens.
- Accidental Hero: You play as a nameless, unemployed slacker who, through sheer dumb luck and the arrival of a talking gun named Kenny, becomes humanity’s last hope. You accidentally stumble upon Kenny, a former bounty hunter’s weapon, and are thrust into the role of Earth’s savior.
- Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire: The core of the game’s narrative revolves around hunting down the G3 cartel’s high-ranking members. Each boss you take down chips away at their empire, eventually leading you to their elusive leader, the infamous Garmantuous. This structure provides a clear progression path, moving from one ridiculous target to the next.
The G3 Cartel: These aren’t your typical menacing villains. While dangerous, they’re often depicted as incompetent, arrogant, or just plain weird. Their motivations are bizarre, and their internal politics provide ample fodder for comedic situations. The boss fights often involve unique environmental interactions and comedic banter rather than just straight-up slugfests.
Storytelling Through Chaos and Comedy
The narrative isn’t told through grand cutscenes or profound character development.
Instead, it’s woven into the fabric of the gameplay, relying heavily on the constant banter, environmental details, and meta-commentary. Tp Link Archer Ax21 Ax1800 Dual Band Wi Fi 6 Router Review
- Dialogue-Driven Plot: The vast majority of the story is delivered through the relentless dialogue from your talking guns, the various NPCs you encounter, and the targets you hunt. This means paying attention to the rapid-fire jokes and often overlapping conversations is crucial to understanding the plot or at least, a plot.
- Meta-Narrative: The game frequently breaks the fourth wall, with characters acknowledging that they are in a game. This extends to the plot, where characters might comment on typical video game tropes or even the player’s performance. This self-awareness is a hallmark of Roiland’s style and contributes to the game’s unique narrative voice.
- Improvised Feel: The dialogue often has an improvised quality, which contributes to its chaotic charm. This means conversations can veer wildly off-topic, or characters might respond in unexpected ways, adding to the unpredictable nature of the story.
- Interactive Choices Minor: While not a branching narrative, there are moments where your choices or actions like deciding who to kill, or how to deal with a particular NPC can lead to different dialogue outcomes or minor comedic scenarios. One notable segment involves a lengthy alien movie that you are forced to watch, with your gun commenting on it.
The story of High On Life is less about a compelling plot and more about experiencing a series of increasingly absurd situations. It’s designed to be a vehicle for the humor, and in that, it succeeds. You won’t find a deep, emotional journey here, but you will find a consistently hilarious, if bizarre, romp through an alien galaxy. It’s a game where the journey, filled with laughs and outrageous moments, is far more important than the destination.
PC Port Quality: A Stable Mostly Launch
When a game built for consoles makes its way to PC, the quality of the port is always a concern. High On Life generally fared well on its PC debut, providing a stable experience for most players, though not without a few minor quirks typical of an Unreal Engine game.
Performance and Optimization on PC
For a game that emphasizes quick, frantic action, stable frame rates are crucial. High On Life mostly delivers on this front.
- Overall Stability: The game launched with relatively few game-breaking bugs or crashes on PC. This is a significant win, especially considering some high-profile PC launches in recent years. Most players reported a smooth experience, particularly with recommended hardware.
- Frame Rates: With appropriate settings as discussed in the “Optimizing In-Game Settings” section, achieving and maintaining 60+ FPS at 1080p is very achievable on mid-range to high-end systems. Even on minimum specs, playable frame rates can be attained by scaling down settings.
- Loading Times: Thanks to the prevalence of SSDs and the game’s strong recommendation for them, loading times are generally quick, which is a blessing given the frequent transitions between areas and after deaths.
- Unreal Engine’s Strengths: Being built on Unreal Engine 4 means the game benefits from years of optimization and features like DLSS and FSR support. These upscaling technologies are game-changers for performance, allowing players to push visual settings higher or achieve significantly better frame rates without major visual compromises.
- Minor Stuttering: Some users, particularly those with less VRAM or older CPUs, occasionally reported minor stutters, especially when entering new areas or during intense combat scenarios with many effects. This is often attributed to shader compilation or asset loading, a common characteristic of Unreal Engine games.
- VRAM Usage: While the game isn’t a VRAM hog at lower settings, pushing textures and other visual settings to “Epic” can start to consume significant VRAM. Users with 3GB or 4GB GPUs should be mindful of their texture settings to avoid performance drops.
PC-Specific Features and Controls
A good PC port goes beyond just performance. it also embraces the platform’s unique strengths.
- Mouse and Keyboard Support: This is paramount for an FPS, and High On Life delivers. Mouse aiming is precise and responsive, and keybinds are fully customizable. The game feels native to mouse and keyboard controls, which is a relief.
- Controller Support: For those who prefer a gamepad, full controller support is implemented seamlessly. The UI adapts, and rumble features work as expected.
- Graphic Options: As mentioned earlier, the game offers a decent range of graphical options, allowing players to fine-tune settings to their hardware. This includes control over shadows, textures, post-processing, view distance, and anti-aliasing methods.
- FOV Slider: Crucial for PC FPS players, a Field of View FOV slider is present, allowing you to adjust how much of the world is visible on screen. This can significantly impact comfort and awareness, especially on ultrawide monitors.
- Ultrawide Support: High On Life generally offers good ultrawide monitor support, which is a nice touch for immersive gameplay.
Overall, the PC port of High On Life is solid. While not groundbreaking, it provides a stable and enjoyable experience for the majority of players, allowing the unique humor and gameplay to shine without being constantly marred by technical issues. The inclusion of modern upscaling technologies is a big plus, helping to democratize the experience across a wider range of hardware configurations.
Longevity and Replayability: How Much Life Is In High On Life?
Once you’ve blasted your way through the G3 cartel and brought Garmantuous to justice, the question becomes: how much life is left in High On Life? Is it a one-and-done hilarious ride, or is there content to keep you coming back for more?
Campaign Length and Pacing
The main campaign of High On Life isn’t exceptionally long, but its pacing is generally good, ensuring that the humor and gameplay don’t overstay their welcome.
- Average Playtime: For most players, a first playthrough will take approximately 10-15 hours to complete the main story bounties. This can vary based on how much time you spend exploring, watching interdimensional cable, or simply getting lost in the dialogue.
- Pacing: The game moves at a brisk pace, introducing new Gatlians, biomes, and boss fights regularly. This helps prevent the core gameplay loop from becoming too repetitive. The humor is constant, which keeps the experience feeling fresh, even if the shooting mechanics remain largely consistent.
- Boss Fights: Each major bounty culminates in a boss fight, and these encounters are often unique and mechanically distinct, requiring you to utilize different Gatlian abilities. They serve as fun milestones in the campaign.
Post-Game Content and Replayability Factors
While High On Life doesn’t offer a traditional New Game+ or endless replay modes, there are elements that encourage further engagement, primarily for those who love the humor and want to experience everything the game has to offer.
- Collectible Hunting: If you’re a completionist, finding all the Luglox chests containing currency, human artifacts, and other hidden secrets will significantly extend your playtime. Many of these are tucked away in clever spots, requiring the use of late-game Gatlian abilities to access. This encourages revisiting previous areas with new tools.
- Interdimensional Cable and Movies: The in-game TV shows and full-length movies yes, full-length are a huge draw for many players. You can spend hours just chilling in your home, watching these bizarre broadcasts. For some, discovering every piece of alien media is a form of replayability in itself.
- Achievement Hunting: The game has a variety of achievements, some of which require specific actions or finding all collectibles. This can add another layer of challenge for dedicated players.
- Dialogue Discovery: Given the improvisational nature of much of the dialogue, playing through again or simply revisiting areas can reveal new lines of dialogue you might have missed the first time around. The guns and NPCs have a surprisingly large pool of spoken lines.
- Post-Game Clean-Up: After finishing the main story, you’re free to return to all previous areas to mop up any missed collectibles, complete side objectives, or simply re-engage with the game’s world and humor.
- No Traditional Multiplayer/Co-op: It’s important to note that High On Life is a single-player experience. There are no multiplayer modes, co-op, or competitive elements, which often contribute to long-term replayability in other FPS titles.
- DLC/Expansions: Squanch Games has released “High On Knife,” a story DLC that adds new characters, weapons, and a completely new narrative arc. For fans of the base game, this significantly extends the overall experience and justifies returning to the chaotic universe. This is arguably the biggest factor for longevity beyond the initial campaign.
Ultimately, High On Life‘s longevity hinges on how much you enjoy its unique brand of humor and whether you’re compelled to find every hidden secret. It’s a game designed for a solid, concentrated burst of comedic FPS fun, with optional content for those who can’t get enough of its bizarre universe. For most, the main campaign offers a complete and satisfying experience, but the post-game cleanup and especially the DLC provide ample reason to return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is High On Life available on PC?
Yes, High On Life is available on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, as well as through Xbox Game Pass for PC. Acer Predator Triton 300 Se 2022 16 Inch Review
What are the minimum PC specs for High On Life?
The minimum PC specs for High On Life include Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-4430K or AMD FX-6300 CPU, 8 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB or AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB GPU, and 45 GB of storage SSD recommended.
What are the recommended PC specs for High On Life?
The recommended PC specs for High On Life are Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 CPU, 16 GB RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB or AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB GPU, and 45 GB of storage SSD strongly recommended.
Does High On Life support ray tracing on PC?
No, High On Life does not natively support ray tracing. It relies on traditional rasterization and global illumination techniques for its lighting.
Does High On Life support DLSS or FSR on PC?
Yes, High On Life supports both NVIDIA’s DLSS Deep Learning Super Sampling and AMD’s FSR FidelityFX Super Resolution, which can significantly boost performance on compatible graphics cards.
How long is the High On Life campaign on PC?
The main campaign of High On Life typically takes about 10-15 hours to complete on PC, depending on how much side content and exploration you engage in.
Is High On Life a demanding game on PC?
While not graphically cutting-edge, High On Life can be moderately demanding on PC, especially at higher settings due to its detailed environments and effects. Modern mid-range hardware should run it well.
Can I play High On Life with a controller on PC?
Yes, High On Life offers full controller support on PC, allowing you to play with an Xbox, PlayStation, or other compatible gamepads.
Is there a New Game+ mode in High On Life?
No, High On Life does not feature a traditional New Game+ mode. However, you can revisit all areas after completing the story to find missed collectibles and complete remaining challenges.
Are there any performance issues with the High On Life PC port?
The PC port of High On Life is generally stable, but some users may experience minor stuttering, especially on systems with lower VRAM or older CPUs, often related to shader compilation.
What engine does High On Life use?
High On Life is developed using Unreal Engine 4. Hydrow Wave Review
Is High On Life a multiplayer game?
No, High On Life is a single-player-only experience. There are no multiplayer or co-op modes.
Is the humor in High On Life for everyone?
No, the humor in High On Life is highly divisive. It features Justin Roiland’s signature chaotic, improvisational, crude, and often profane style, which some find hilarious and others find off-putting.
Can I turn off the talking guns in High On Life?
No, you cannot turn off the talking guns.
Their constant dialogue is integral to the game’s humor, narrative, and core identity.
Are there full-length movies in High On Life?
Yes, there are full-length, bizarre alien movies and TV shows that you can watch in their entirety within the game, often found playing on your home TV.
Does High On Life have a good story?
The story of High On Life is largely a vehicle for its comedy and absurd situations rather than a deep, character-driven narrative. It’s an outlandish premise designed for laughs.
How much storage space does High On Life require on PC?
High On Life requires approximately 45 GB of available storage space on your PC. An SSD is strongly recommended for faster loading times.
Can I customize my keybinds in High On Life on PC?
Yes, High On Life allows for full customization of keybinds when playing with mouse and keyboard on PC.
Does High On Life have an FOV slider on PC?
Yes, High On Life includes an FOV Field of View slider, allowing PC players to adjust their viewing angle.
Is there DLC for High On Life on PC?
Yes, a story expansion DLC titled “High On Knife” was released, adding new content, characters, and a separate narrative arc. Ssl Connex Review
How important is an SSD for High On Life PC performance?
While not strictly mandatory, an SSD is strongly recommended for High On Life on PC. It significantly reduces loading times and helps prevent texture pop-in and potential stuttering.
Are there jump scares in High On Life?
No, High On Life is not a horror game and does not feature jump scares. It’s a comedic first-person shooter.
Is High On Life available on Xbox Game Pass for PC?
Yes, High On Life was a day-one launch title for Xbox Game Pass and is available on PC through the service.
What kind of enemies are in High On Life?
The enemies in High On Life are primarily members of the G3 alien cartel, with various alien designs, weapon types, and combat behaviors.
Can I skip cutscenes in High On Life?
Most in-game dialogue and comedic sequences are not traditional skippable cutscenes, as they are integrated into the gameplay and often involve the talking guns.
Some longer, pre-rendered sequences may be skippable.
Are there collectibles to find in High On Life?
Yes, High On Life has numerous collectibles, including Luglox chests containing currency, human artifacts, and other hidden secrets that encourage exploration.
Is High On Life suitable for children?
No, High On Life is rated M for Mature 17+ due to its intense violence, strong language, crude humor, and suggestive themes. It is not suitable for children.
What is the frame rate cap for High On Life on PC?
High On Life on PC typically allows for uncapped frame rates, provided your system can achieve them, though it’s always recommended to enable V-Sync if you experience screen tearing.
How do I switch between my talking guns in High On Life?
You switch between your talking guns Gatlians using the scroll wheel on your mouse or the weapon select button on your controller, similar to most first-person shooters. Microsoft Windows 10 Review
Does High On Life have good replay value?
High On Life‘s replay value primarily comes from finding all collectibles, experiencing missed dialogue, and playing the “High On Knife” DLC. It’s less about multiple playthroughs of the main story and more about completing all content.
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