Is High on Life Related to Rick and Morty? The Truth Behind the Sci-Fi Game

Introduction

If you are a fan of Rick and Morty, you might have heard of High on Life, a sci-fi game that was released in December 2022 by Squanch Games, a company founded by Justin Roiland, the co-creator and voice actor of Rick and Morty. You might also be wondering if High on Life is related to Rick and Morty in any way, or if it is part of the same multiverse. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between the two franchises, and reveal the truth behind the connection between High on Life and Rick and Morty.

Similarities Between High on Life and Rick and Morty

There are some obvious similarities between High on Life and Rick and Morty that make them appealing to fans of sci-fi comedy. Here are some of them:

• They both use the same iconic voice actors. Justin Roiland voices Kenny, the main character of High on Life, as well as Rick and Morty in the show. He also voices other characters in both franchises, such as Doctor Giblets in High on Life, and Mr. Meeseeks in Rick and Morty. Michael Cusack, who voices Knifey in High on Life, was also responsible for voicing the characters in Bushworld Adventures, a Rick and Morty parody released in 2018.
• They use the same dark and fast-talking humor. Both franchises are known for their crass and dark humor that makes them unsuitable for children, but hilarious for adults. They are not afraid of swearing, showing blood, or ruining the lives of side characters for a good laugh. They also rely on near-constant talking in which jokes are quickly delivered in a sarcastic and crude way.
• They focus on a space adventure on different planets. Rick and Morty is all about the space adventures that Rick and Morty go on, who may sometimes bring another member of the family. Thanks to Rick’s portal gun, they can travel to any universe they want to and have endless wacky adventures. The bounty hunter in High on Life is able to travel to a set number of planets using the Bounty 5000’s portal, and can even warp in other objects or locations with warp discs. While the bounty hunter doesn’t have access to as many places, they don’t need to because of their goal to eliminate the G3 Cartel. The planets that they are able to explore are still unique and engaging.
• They both have strange TV programs. Rick and Morty have dedicated two episodes to focusing on the strange nature of interdimensional cable. The family can watch any show from every dimension as long as they have Crystallized Xanthenite. High on Life also has a plethora of TV content that can be watched in the main character’s living room. There are four full-length movies, countless interdimensional cable shorts, and even some references to Rick and Morty.

Differences Between High on Life and Rick and Morty

Despite these similarities, there are also some significant differences between High on Life and Rick and Morty that make them distinct from each other. Here are some of them:

• They have different genres. Rick and Morty is an animated sitcom that parodies various sci-fi tropes and genres. It is mainly focused on comedy, but also has some dramatic moments that explore the characters’ emotions and relationships. High on Life is a video game that is classified as an action-adventure RPG with elements of comedy. It is mainly focused on gameplay, but also has some humorous moments that poke fun at various sci-fi clichés.
• They have different art styles. Rick and Morty has a simple and colorful art style that resembles classic cartoons such as The Simpsons or Futurama. It uses smooth animation and expressive character designs to convey emotions and actions. High on Life has a more detailed and realistic art style that resembles modern video games such as Borderlands or Fallout. It uses 3D graphics and immersive environments to create a sense of depth and scale.
• They have different stories. Rick and Morty follows the adventures of Rick Sanchez, a genius scientist who travels across dimensions with his grandson Morty Smith, who often gets dragged into dangerous situations against his will. They also deal with their dysfunctional family life on Earth, where they live with Morty’s parents Jerry and Beth, and his sister Summer. High on Life follows the story of Kenny Crossbones (or any name the player chooses), a bounty hunter who is hired by the Galactic Federation to take down the G3 Cartel, a group of intergalactic criminals who are responsible for creating and distributing a drug called High on Life. Along the way, they meet various allies and enemies, such as Knifey, a talking knife who becomes their partner, and Doctor Giblets, a mad scientist who wants to use High on Life for his own experiments.

Is High on Life Related to Rick and Morty?

So, is High on Life related to Rick and Morty in any way? The answer is no. According to Game8, High on Life is not connected to Rick and Morty in any way, despite sharing a co-creator, Justin Roiland. Rick and Morty are not in High on Life, but there is a reference. According to Radio Times, Mikey Spano from Squanch Games said that High on Life is in the same universe as Trover Saves the Universe, another game by Squanch Games, but not with Rick and Morty or Solar Opposites, another show by Justin Roiland. He said that the only similarities are in the vibe. According to CBr, there are some obvious similarities between High on Life and Rick and Morty that make them appealing to fans of sci-fi comedy, such as the voice actors, the humor, the space adventure, and the TV programs. However, there are also some significant differences that make them distinct from each other, such as the genres, the art styles, and the stories.

Conclusion

High on Life is a sci-fi game that was released in December 2022 by Squanch Games, a company founded by Justin Roiland, the co-creator and voice actor of Rick and Morty. Many fans of Rick and Morty might wonder if High on Life is related to Rick and Morty in any way, or if it is part of the same multiverse. However, the truth is that High on Life is not connected to Rick and Morty in any way, despite sharing some similarities in terms of voice actors, humor, space adventure, and TV programs. They also have some differences in terms of genres, art styles, and stories. High on Life is its own new part of the Roiland-verse, where it shares a universe with Trover Saves the Universe, but not with Rick and Morty or Solar Opposites. Therefore, fans of Rick and Morty should not expect any explicit references or crossovers with High on Life, but they might still enjoy the game for its similar vibe and sense of humor.