Edited By
David Brown

A wave of criticism is sweeping through the gaming community as High on Life 2 faces backlash over its performance on the Microsoft Series S. Gamers are expressing disappointment over the gameโs graphics quality, with many stating it looks subpar compared to previous titles.
Comments across various forums highlight a discontented sentiment regarding the game's poor optimization. One commenter pointed out that unlike other titles running smoothly on the Series S, such as Doom Dark Ages, High on Life 2 struggles to perform.
"Yikes! Couldnโt even bake in a few shadows," a frustrated player said, reflecting a common view among critics.
Other gamers echoed similar frustration about performance, noting that High on Life 2 does not achieve a locked 60 FPS, receiving comparative pejoratives to the quality displayed in earlier installments.
Graphics Quality: Many players described the visuals as lacking, with references stating it looked like an outdated title. One user even lamented, "I thought it was looking at a screenshot of an older Halo game."
Frame Rate Problems: Reports indicate significant drops in frame rates, with some players observing the game operates at a mere 800p.
Technical Flaws: Issues such as crashing on PC and object instability have surfaced, leading to questions about development practices. A source hinted that struggling optimization appears to be the main culprit.
A user sharing insights on the technical aspects said, "Itโs got issues on Series X too Both shadows and reflections appear and disappear based on where you look."
While many gamers expressed disappointment, other reviews noted that the core gameplay remains appealing. Some commented on an improvement in playability with new mechanics.
๐ถ "High on Life 2 feels fun to play, but the graphics need work," said one optimistic commenter.
โ "800p and not even a locked 60FPS? Actually insane!" remarked another, highlighting the disillusionment with such specs.
Curiously, some users defended their experience, claiming that graphics werenโt as bad as depicted in screenshots posted online.
As players continue to voice their concerns, developers are expected to release patches. Whether these updates will resolve the issues remains to be seen. For now, this controversy sheds light on the ongoing challenges game developers face in optimizing next-gen technology effectively.
๐ป Graphics backlash over performance on Series S
โก Frame rate concerns, with claims of 800p resolution
๐ ๏ธ Potential patches on the horizon aimed at improving performance
It's undeniable that player expectations have been significantly shifted. Only time will tell if High on Life 2 can rise to meet them.
Thereโs a strong chance that developers will address performance issues with an upcoming patch, as player feedback continues to pour in. Given the intensity of the backlash, experts estimate around an 80% likelihood that updates might enhance both graphics quality and frame rate stability on the Series S. Early patches could focus on optimizing visual elements while smoothing out frame rate drops, bringing the game closer to expectations. However, failure to adequately respond could further alienate fans, potentially impacting future titles from the studio and their reputation.
Drawing a unique parallel, consider the release of the No Manโs Sky back in 2016. The initial excitement gave way to widespread disappointment when players found the game lacking compared to what was promised. It took a series of substantial updates to regain trust and ultimately create a loyal player base. Just as those developers faced uphill battles to reshape perceptions over time, the journey for High on Life 2 may require significant commitment to evolve and reconnect with its gaming community. That narrative invites us to reflect on how transformative resolution often requires more than just a release; it needs ongoing dedication and sincerity.