High On Life 2 vs The Outer Worlds 2
Both are satirical shooters, but one trades writing for skateboards while the other doubles down on companion-driven role-playing.
Updated 15d 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 Oct 9; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Oct 9.
| Measure | High On Life 2 | The Outer Worlds 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value High On Life 2 wins on value | ||
| Price now | $33.99 −15% · Steam | $34.99 −50% · Microsoft Store |
| All-time low | $33.99 | $34.99 |
| Cost / hour | $2.88/hr $33.99 · 12 h main story | $1.89/hr $34.99 · 18 h main story |
| Off its low | At its low low was Oct 2026 | At its low low was Jun 2026 |
| Main story | 12 h | 18 h |
| Health Too close to call | ||
| Steam reviews | 72% 3k reviews | 73% 9k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 64% 63 votes · vs 72% lifetime · souring | 57% 138 votes · vs 73% lifetime · souring |
| Peak players | 124 Sep 2026 · ↓ 1% MoM | 654 Sep 2026 · ↑ 0% MoM |
| Launch peak | 4% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Sep 2026 | — |
| All-time peak | 2,937 Feb 2026 | 18,187 Nov 2025 · now at 4% |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 4 months ago | 3 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 0 in last 90 days | 1 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 finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style absurdism.
- You tolerate uneven gunplay for Borderlands-style comedy and skateboarding traversal.
- You want a short 12-hour shooter and don't need Mighty-tier review scores.
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if
- Fallout New Vegas remains your favorite RPG and you want Obsidian swinging that hard.
- Companion banter, quest reactivity, and romance are load-bearing for your enjoyment.
- You prefer zone-based maps to seamless sandboxes and light corporate satire.
Bottom line
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if you value writing and companions over pure shooting; only choose High On Life 2 if you specifically want a short, crude skateboard shooter and accept its split critic recommendation.