Is There an 8th Bounty in High on Life? Unraveling the Mystery
The short answer is no, there is no officially recognized eighth bounty in the base game of High on Life. While the bounty-hunting machine in your living room displays eight slots, with one greyed out, this is essentially a design element and doesn’t indicate the existence of a hidden, unlockable bounty within the original game’s content. The game focuses on its seven core bounty missions as the central narrative thrust.
Exploring the Bounty System: A Deep Dive
High on Life, developed by Squanch Games, offers a unique gameplay experience centered around a bounty hunter protagonist armed with talking guns. The core gameplay loop involves accepting bounties, traversing diverse environments, and engaging in comedic combat with alien enemies. The apparent “eighth slot” on the bounty machine has led to considerable speculation amongst players, sparking theories about secret content or cut missions. However, thorough exploration and official statements confirm that this remains just a visual element.
The initial observation leading to this question is understandable. After all, game developers often hide secrets and easter eggs within their creations. The prominence of the eighth slot on the bounty machine fueled the hope that some undiscovered content lay hidden, waiting to be unlocked by the most dedicated players.
The Seven Core Bounties: A Comprehensive List
These are the seven main bounties that constitute the core story of High on Life:
- 9-Torg: Your first introduction to the bounty hunting world.
- Krubis: A challenging encounter with a ruthless G3 cartel member.
- Douglas: A disturbing investigation into a twisted scientist and his experiments.
- Skrendel Bros: Facing off against a pair of particularly annoying siblings.
- Dr. Giblets: Battling a grotesque doctor with questionable medical practices.
- Nipulon: A mission involving toxic substances and strategic combat.
- Garmantuous: The final confrontation with the leader of the G3 cartel, determining the fate of Earth.
These bounties are not just simple missions; they’re interconnected pieces of a larger narrative, each with its own unique challenges, quirky characters, and comedic moments. Progressing through these bounties unveils the larger story and provides access to new weapons and abilities, enhancing your combat prowess.
Why No Eighth Bounty? Design Choices and Possible Interpretations
While the absence of a functional eighth bounty might be disappointing to some, several factors might explain its presence as a non-interactive element:
- Visual Symmetry: The eight slots, with seven active and one greyed out, might simply be a design choice for visual balance and aesthetics.
- Cut Content: It’s possible that an eighth bounty was initially planned during development but was ultimately cut for various reasons such as time constraints, budget limitations, or narrative coherence.
- Sequel Baiting: Though highly speculative, the greyed-out slot could serve as subtle foreshadowing of future content, potentially hinting at bounties that may be available in a sequel.
- A Red Herring: The developers may have intentionally included it to generate discussion and speculation within the community, thereby creating a buzz around the game.
Whatever the reason, it’s vital to approach the situation with an understanding that the gaming experience is curated by developers and that such inclusions don’t necessarily mandate an active element within the game.
The High on Knife DLC: Expanding the High on Life Universe
While there isn’t an eighth bounty in the original game, the High on Knife DLC does expand the High on Life universe with new stories and characters. This paid DLC introduces players to new areas, weapons, and challenges, offering fresh content for those who enjoyed the original game. However, it doesn’t retroactively add an eighth bounty to the original bounty-hunting machine. The DLC’s focus is on a separate narrative arc within the same universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bounties in High on Life
1. How many bounties are actually in High on Life?
There are seven main bounties in High on Life that are essential for completing the main story.
2. Can you replay bounties after completing them?
Unfortunately, no. High on Life does not offer a New Game Plus mode or any way to replay completed bounties.
3. Are there any secret bounties hidden in the game?
Aside from the seven core bounties, there are no other officially recognized secret bounties. The greyed-out slot on the bounty machine has fueled speculation, but it doesn’t lead to any unlockable content.
4. How do you unlock the next bounty in High on Life?
After completing a bounty, return to your living room and interact with the Bounty-5k machine to select your next target. Some bounties become available after completing specific story milestones.
5. What happens after you complete all seven bounties?
While High on Life lacks post-game content in the traditional sense, you can still explore the environments you’ve unlocked, interact with NPCs, and discover hidden secrets and dialogue. There aren’t any new quests or bounties to pursue.
6. Does the High on Knife DLC add more bounties to the main game?
No, the High on Knife DLC introduces a separate storyline and doesn’t integrate new bounties into the original game’s bounty-hunting system.
7. Who is the final boss in High on Life?
The final boss of High on Life is Garmantuous, the leader of the G3 cartel. Defeating him is the culmination of your bounty hunting journey.
8. Is there a secret ending in High on Life related to bounties?
There is a secret ending you can unlock, but it’s not directly related to the bounty system itself. It involves a specific action during the Nipulon Bounty.
9. Can you change bounties mid-mission?
No, once you’ve accepted a bounty, you must complete it before you can choose another one.
10. Are the bounties randomized in any way?
The bounties are not randomized. They follow a fixed order and are tied to the progression of the main story.
11. What is the best bounty to start with in High on Life?
You begin the game with the 9-Torg Bounty and upon its completion, have the option to choose between the Krubis Bounty and Douglas Bounty.
12. Does the order of completing Krubis and Douglas matter?
The order in which you complete the Krubis and Douglas bounties doesn’t significantly affect the story or gameplay. You can choose whichever you prefer based on your playstyle or interest.
13. What if I accidentally stab Gene in High on Life?
Stabbing Gene doesn’t have any major consequences. You’ll earn a secret achievement, but it doesn’t impact the story or your relationship with Gene. Remember that learning is fun and you can visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to explore more about games.
14. Where do I buy the dodge unit after killing 9-Torg?
After eliminating 9-Torg, return to Blim City and head to Mr. Keeps Pawn Shop. The dodge unit will be behind the counter, available for purchase.
15. Will there be more bounties in future High on Life content?
While there’s no official confirmation, the success of High on Life and the release of the High on Knife DLC suggest that Squanch Games may consider adding more bounties in future updates or sequels. The potential for new content remains open. You can also find interesting studies about video games on GamesLearningSociety.org.
In conclusion, while the mystery of the eighth slot may remain unsolved, High on Life provides an engaging and humorous bounty hunting experience with its seven core missions. Enjoy the unique world and characters that Squanch Games has created.