High On Life 2 vs The Outer Worlds 2
Skateboarding absurdity versus Obsidian satire — pick your comedy, then decide if gunplay or writing matters more.
Updated 27d 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 Sep 8; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 8.
| Measure | High On Life 2 | The Outer Worlds 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Value High On Life 2 wins on value | ||
| Price now | $39.99 Steam | $69.99 Steam |
| All-time low | $39.99 | $34.99 |
| Cost / hour | $3.38/hr $39.99 · 12 h main story | $3.78/hr $69.99 · 18 h main story |
| Off its low | At its low low was Aug 2026 | +100% low was Jun 2026 |
| Main story | 12 h | 18 h |
| Health Too close to call | ||
| Steam reviews | 72% 3k reviews | 74% 9k reviews |
| Recent reviews | 74% 61 votes · vs 72% lifetime | 72% 89 votes · vs 74% lifetime |
| Peak players | 125 Aug 2026 · ↓ 52% MoM | 651 Aug 2026 · ↓ 49% MoM |
| Launch peak | 4% of Feb 2026 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 | — |
| All-time peak | 2,937 Feb 2026 | 18,187 Nov 2025 · now at 4% |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 4 months ago | 2 months ago |
| Patch cadence | 0 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 finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style absurdism
- You're okay with 56% critical consensus and uneven gunplay for comedy
- You want a 12-hour shooter with skateboarding traversal to try something new
Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if
- Fallout New Vegas is your favorite RPG and you want that swing again
- Companion writing and banter are load-bearing for your enjoyment
- You can live with zone-based maps over a seamless open world
Bottom line
High On Life 2 is a short comedic diversion but weak gunplay and a writing dip make it a rental; The Outer Worlds 2, despite slightly higher cost per hour, offers stronger writing and more content — pick it unless you crave skateboarding mechanics.