High On Life 2 vs The Outer Worlds 2

Choose High On Life 2 for absurdist shooter fun, or The Outer Worlds 2 for deep RPG storytelling and companions.

High On Life 2 cover
High On Life 2 7.3/10 Fair

Falls short of HoL1's voice-cast peak — HoL2 trades sharper writing for skateboard mechanics, leaving the gunplay split 56/44 among critics.

The Outer Worlds 2 cover
The Outer Worlds 2 8.5/10 Strong

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
May 2026 peak CCU 147 ↓ 28% MoM
All-time peak 2,937 (Feb 2026 · now at 5%)
The Outer Worlds 2
Steam Charts hasn't recorded a calendar month yet.

Key differences

Writing quality
High On Life 2 trades sharper writing for skateboard mechanics, falling short of the first game's peak.
The Outer Worlds 2 sharpens companion writing and corporate satire to a new peak for the series.
Core gameplay
High On Life 2 is a 12-hour shooter that prioritizes skateboarding traversal alongside its gunplay.
The Outer Worlds 2 leans into RPG elements, with gunplay noted as a notch behind dedicated shooters.
World structure
High On Life 2 offers a shooter experience without specific details on its world map structure.
The Outer Worlds 2 utilizes zone-based maps rather than a seamless open-world sandbox.

Which one is for you?

Pick High On Life 2 if

  • You finished High on Life 1 and want more Squanch-style humor
  • You enjoy Borderlands-style FPS comedy and tolerate uneven gunplay
  • You want a shorter, 12-hour shooter experience

Pick The Outer Worlds 2 if

  • You consider Fallout: New Vegas your favorite RPG
  • You value companion writing, banter, and reactivity above all
  • You prefer RPGs with zone-based maps over seamless worlds

Bottom line

Opt for High On Life 2 if you prioritize crude humor and unique traversal in a shorter shooter. Choose The Outer Worlds 2 for a deeper RPG experience with exceptional writing and companion systems.