Squanch Games Studio Director Mike Fridley has described the upcoming High on Life as a "Metroidvania" game which will include open elements in its broad range of levels. Rick and Morty entered its sixth season earlier this year and co-creator Justin Roiland fans may find several things to enjoy in High on Life when it releases later this year.

Fridley recently went on the record with Pure Xbox to discuss various aspects of the game, including the Metroidvania nature of exploration which features levels that may feel open to some players. Metroidvania games have expanded beyond the humble Castlevania and Metroid beginnings to include titles like Hollow Knight, Returnal, Dead Cells, and High on Life when it releases on December 13. The first High on Life reveal happened during the Xbox and Bethesda Showcase from earlier this year which also included the likes of Ark 2, Forza Motorsport, Redfall, and Starfield, and it has since received only a few other details along the way.

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When asked if the High on Life levels are open or follow a linear level design, Mike Fridley explained that it's a mix of things, but primarily that the game's content layout is more in line with Metroidvania games. The "large, interconnected galaxy" may act as High on Life's overall map which can apparently be accessed in Blim City, while each planet offers "a bit of roaming." According to Fridley, some areas of the galaxy of the day one Xbox Game Pass release will require certain gear or other prerequisites like the completion of a mission which will unlock more areas.

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The central hub of High on Life will be in Blim City and this is the main location that the game will branch out from like the first level of most Metroidvania titles. Because Mike Fridley has suggested that the overall game may be more like a Metroidvania while the levels themselves provide some semblance of open-world exploration, the story itself may be linear, as the locations could simultaneously offer more freedom. Suggesting that there are more than just locations to unlock along the way, Fridley hinted that there are other "secrets" to uncover while acquiring gear and completing missions.

Although many Rick and Morty fans have expressed their appreciation for High on Life and the humor similarities shared with the popular Adult Swim show, one has suggested that the Metroidvania style will give them a break from the genres that they normally play. Multiple High on Life fans have noted the humor, gunplay, and level design as reasons why they're clambering for the Metroidvania game, while many may simply get it because of Justin Roiland's involvement.

High on Life will release on December 13 for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

MORE: How Squanch Games' Past Releases Could Influence High On Life

Source: Pure Xbox