High On Life 2 vs The Outer Worlds 2
Absurdist skateboarding shooter versus sharp corporate RPG satire — choose your flavor of FPS with writing baggage.
Updated 29d ago
Falls short of HoL1's voice-cast peak — HoL2 trades sharper writing for skateboard mechanics, leaving the gunplay split 56/44 among critics.
Obsidian writing is back at full peak — Outer Worlds 2 sharpens what the first game whispered, with companions and corporate satire that finally feel essential.
By the numbers
Prices checked Aug 23; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Aug 23.
| Measure | High On Life 2 | The Outer Worlds 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value Too close to call | ||
| Price now | $40.19 −33% · Humble Store | $41.99 −40% · Microsoft Store |
| All-time low | $40.19 | $34.99 |
| Cost / hour | $3.40/hr $40.19 · 12 h main story | $2.27/hr $41.99 · 18 h main story |
| Off its low | At its low low was Jun 2026 | +20% low was Jun 2026 |
| Main story | 12 h | 18 h |
| Health The Outer Worlds 2 wins on player health | ||
| Steam reviews | 72% 3k reviews | 74% 9k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 66% 73 votes · vs 72% lifetime · souring | 70% 114 votes · vs 74% lifetime |
| Peak players | 262 Jul 2026 · ↑ 18% MoM | 1,268 Jul 2026 · ↑ 20% MoM |
| Launch peak | 9% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Jul 2026 | — |
| All-time peak | 2,937 Feb 2026 | 18,187 Nov 2025 · now at 7% |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 3 months ago | 6 weeks ago |
| Patch cadence | 1 in last 90 days | 2 in last 90 days |
| Steam Deck | Platinum | Gold |
Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
High On Life 2
Improved puzzles and humor over the first game are the highlights long-time players consistently enjoy.
Recurring bugs and soft locks across levels are the frustrations that undermine many playthroughs.
from our May 2026 verdict
The Outer Worlds 2
The witty satire, memorable characters, and goofy tone keep players engaged for hundreds of hours.
Frequent fatal crashes and unstable saves after patches plague long-term playthroughs.
from our May 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick High On Life 2 if
- You played and finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style absurdism.
- You enjoy Borderlands-style FPS comedy and tolerate uneven gunplay.
- You're curious about a 12-hour shooter with skateboarding traversal.
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if
- Fallout New Vegas remains your favorite RPG and you want that Obsidian writing.
- Companion writing with banter, quest reactivity, and romance is your draw.
- Light corporate-dystopia satire that doesn't take itself too seriously appeals to you.
Bottom line
Outer Worlds 2 wins if you value sharp writing and companions; High On Life 2 is a passable short shooter for fans of the original's humor style.