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Regrettably, many of today's games tend to mimic existing titles, making it quite unusual to encounter a game that introduces genuinely innovative concepts.
A standout example of a game that took a unique and slightly unconventional approach, quickly capturing the affection of gamers worldwide, was High on Life, released last year. This shooter stood out for its witty humour and the inclusion of talking guns, making it easily the most-loved game at the time it was released.
Nearly one year after the release of the core game, Squanch Games, the developers, have decided to launch the first, and likely only, High on Knife DLC. We'll now delve into what this expansion has to offer and determine whether it's a worthy investment of your time and money.
Story
The story in the expansion continues where the main game left off. Our hero, along with his talking gun, Knifey, and the rest of his talking-gun companions, travels to a new planet to find a missing package. Knifey hopes that the package can help him understand what happened to his home planet and why he's the only one of his species left.
To be honest, the story in the main game wasn't really a selling point, so don't expect any excessive plot twists and turns in the DLC either. The story mainly serves as a backdrop for the consistently fantastic humour, which also shines in the DLC as it used to shine in the base game.
Occasionally, I would pause the game and capture gameplay footage to preserve the fantastic jokes, surprising moments, and the game's witty commentary on various subjects, particularly the gaming culture. It's notable that the game often humorously pokes fun, even at itself.
The pinnacle of humour within High on Knife occurs as the game concludes and the credits begin to roll. I strongly advise against skipping the credits under any circumstances; believe me, it will be highly rewarding.
In a nutshell, when it comes to discussing the story in this game, I would simply state that if you played High on Knife expecting an exceptional story, you might have misunderstood the game's essence. The story itself isn't particularly remarkable, but what truly sets this game apart is its distinctiveness derived from humour, sarcasm intertwined with colourful language, and audacious dialogue.
Gameplay
Regarding the gameplay in High on Knife, I'd describe it as a case where Squanch Games didn't attempt to reinvent the wheel; instead, they adhered to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. The core gameplay in the base game remained outstanding. It offers a high-speed shooting experience with a strong focus on mobility and features a diverse array of intriguing weapons, each with its own unique special abilities.
Speaking of the weapons, in the expansion, you'll carry over the entire arsenal from the base game with one minor change: Kenny is no longer present, and Harper has taken his place. While the reason for this switch remains unexplained, it's likely due to cast-related issues. Harper wields the same powers as Kenny, so apart from what I consider to be the most amusing weapon, you acquire a rather unremarkable one in terms of Harper's comments and dialogues, which, in my opinion, is a significant disappointment.
High on Knife brings forth a fresh addition in the form of the B.A.L.L. weapon, and the majority of the traversal and puzzle challenges are tailored around this weapon, which is very commendable. This unique weapon launches pinball-like projectiles that can rebound and, when skillfully executed, even cause explosions, making it a delight to wield. Furthermore, Knifey also receives a significant upgrade as the story unfolds, but I'll refrain from revealing any spoilers regarding it.
High on Knife transports you to a new planet that showcases two distinct and equally impressive designs. The open areas feature sprawling salt fields and hills, with their pristine white expanses lending a breathtaking beauty to this landscape. Meanwhile, the DLC's second segment unfolds within the confines of an enclosed factory, and its design is equally captivating.
Mirroring the approach of the main game, the only collectibles in this DLC are the packages you gather, although their content remains largely similar. Notably, the DLC introduces a somewhat more serious element, which we could label as puzzles. This deserves recognition because the main game features very few puzzles, and in High on Knife, you'll encounter various puzzles that must be solved to progress.
One notable drawback worth mentioning is that High on Knife is relatively brief and almost feels like a slightly extended mission concluding with a boss encounter. Speaking of the boss battle, High on Knife features one boss that exhibits significantly more intricate design and presents a formidable challenge, even on the easiest difficulty setting. To defeat this boss, you will have to employ diverse tactics, which is a significant difference from the boss fights in High on Life, where a straightforward shooting approach often suffices.
Essentially, all the positive aspects of the gameplay in High on Life remain intact in High on Knife, and in some aspects, we even see enhancements.
Graphics and Sounds
High on Life is undeniably a visually stunning game, as we previously detailed in our review. When it comes to graphics, High on Knife hasn't made substantial advancements, and to be honest, it didn't require any significant changes. The new setting is genuinely striking, captivating players with its natural beauty and vibrant colours right from the start.
I must admit that I didn't play High on Life last year, when it originally came out, but thanks to the developers sending me the access key to the DLC along with the base game for PlayStation 5, I was able to directly compare the quality of the base game and the DLC, and it seems the difference is non-existent.
Regarding performance on the other hand, whether you play the game in performance or fidelity mode, where the first aims for 60 FPS while the second aims for better graphic fidelity, it boasts exceptional visuals and smooth performance.
I'd like to bring up a point about the graphics and overall design in High on Knife: it is considerably more grotesque and repulsive compared to High on Life. There are moments that are truly revolting, and you'll understand precisely what I mean when you experience them. Frankly, there were times when I found myself on the brink of vomiting while watching these scenes.
The sound quality is predominantly excellent, particularly the weapon sounds and, without a doubt, the standout feature, the voice acting, which shines in both the main game and the DLC. The soundtrack is intriguing and seamlessly complements the game's lighthearted vibe, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere.
Conclusion
If you're a fan of High on Life, I highly recommend not passing up the opportunity to experience this expansion. It introduces a fresh weapon, a new location, and an additional story segment, though it might leave you wanting more due to its relatively short length.
However, the sheer enjoyment it provides, coupled with the unforgettable remarks and laughter it offers, particularly during the credits sequence, will make every cent spent on this DLC a worthwhile investment.
The Good
Very fun, Doom-like shooting- Jokes and comments are still amazing
- Somewhat more challenging puzzles
- Intricately designed main boss
- The credit-rolling dialogue is hilarious
- Beautiful graphics and level design
The Bad
DLC is quite short
