High On Life 2 vs The Outer Worlds 2
Skateboarding absurdism versus refined RPG writing — pick based on whether you want movement gimmicks or narrative depth.
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.
Steam popularity
High On Life 2
Jun 2026 peak CCU 222 ↑ 51% MoM
All-time peak 2,937
The Outer Worlds 2
Steam Charts hasn't recorded a calendar month yet.
Key differences
Writing quality
High On Life 2's writing takes a step backward, with critics noting weaker narrative than the original.
Outer Worlds 2's writing is at full peak, with essential companion banter and sharp corporate satire.
Traversal mechanics
High On Life 2 introduces skateboarding traversal, shifting focus from gunplay to movement.
Outer Worlds 2 uses zone-based maps, not a seamless open world.
Gunplay reliability
High On Life 2's gunplay splits critics at 56% recommend, indicating inconsistent feel.
Outer Worlds 2's gunplay is serviceable but behind dedicated shooters of 2025.
Which one is for you?
Pick High On Life 2 if
- You finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style absurdism.
- You enjoy Borderlands-style FPS comedy and can tolerate uneven gunplay.
- You're curious about a 12-hour shooter with skateboarding traversal.
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if
- Fallout New Vegas is your favorite RPG and you want that style again.
- Companion writing is the main reason you play RPGs.
- You like light corporate-dystopia satire that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Bottom line
Outer Worlds 2 is the pick if you value writing and roleplaying; High On Life 2 if you want silly movement and can accept weaker narrative.