High on Life Review (Acacius)
As a Rick and Morty fan, I was thrilled to hear the weapon sounds being exactly the same as in the animation. It made me eager to buy this unique and fresh game.
The gameplay itself is fairly standard for an FPS, but what sets this game apart is its story and witty commentary, which make it highly enjoyable. While it may not claim the title of shooter of the year, it shines for other reasons. The characters are engaging, and the humor hits the mark, especially if you're a Rick and Morty fan. The shooting mechanics are solid, and the variety of weapons and firing modes adds a layer of excitement. Though the enemies offer some diversity and the AI will either take cover or rush at you, don’t expect revolutionary mechanics.
The game's biggest strength lies in its dialogue and humor. While not every joke lands, there are plenty of genuinely funny moments. Interestingly, the side content, like the commercials and warp bases, often delivers the best laughs. Its shorter length works in its favor, ensuring the experience doesn’t drag on unnecessarily.
Each weapon, from Kenny, Knifey, Gus, Sweezy, Creature, to Lezduit, has its own diverse and entertaining personality, making it enjoyable to hear them exchange opinions. Each weapon also serves a unique purpose, ranging from a standard pistol to overpowered ones like Lezduit. It’s incredibly fun to experience the interactions and conversations between the weapons.
The exploration is decent, leaning towards enjoyable, with clear Metroidvania influences. Some areas include puzzle-based elements, though the game doesn’t strongly encourage collecting everything. This might be because of the straightforward progression system, with only a handful of gun upgrades, and the limited number of hub worlds—just three in total.
The combat gets the job done. Out of the five guns available, I found myself sticking to three favorites while rarely using the others. The enemy variety is fairly basic, with around six different types. However, the boss battles stand out as a highlight.
The soundtrack features an ambient, low-fi vibe that remains fairly understated. The graphics are decent, aligning with typical AA standards, but the use of color is impressive. While the story isn’t particularly innovative, it’s carried by the humor, which keeps it engaging.
At some point, the game feels quite lacking in activities outside of the main missions, with only a few maps and locations to explore. However, I understand this might be due to it being a AA game, so I find it acceptable. Sometimes, it gets boring when it’s just shooting at every turn and having to listen to a lot of dialogue that doesn’t feel particularly important.
I genuinely enjoyed the game because it achieves what video games are meant to do: provide a great time! It feels like one of those unique experiences we used to see more often in the past. We definitely need more games like this, especially now when so many feel formulaic and predictable.
As a Rick and Morty fan, I was thoroughly entertained by the humor, the world-building, and the concept of the universe in High on Life. This game has strong potential for further development in the future. I really appreciate the developers for creating something fresh and not sticking to monotonous gameplay.
This is the most fun I've had with a game in years—so unique and a real joy to play. I’m excited to go back, make different choices, and hear new dialogue. While it’s not groundbreaking, the blend of humor and gameplay makes it incredibly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.