In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, players embody the Sleeper, a malfunctioning android who has escaped into the sprawling Starward Belt. As the Sleeper, your survival depends on navigating the intricate web of relationships, contracts, and challenges that this spacefaring world presents. The game challenges players to push their luck for greater rewards or face the consequences of accumulating stress, which leads to system glitches. These glitches damage the dice rolls essential to the Sleeper’s survival, adding a layer of tension to every decision.
The journey this game took me on was one I was not sure where it would go. Once I rolled credits after my 10-hour playthrough, the blend of amazing characters, fantastic writing, and a fun dice-based gameplay mechanics had its hooks in me and eager to start a second playthrough.
Each contract, you are allowed to bring two of your crewmembers with you to aid with their proficiencies.
This sequel firmly establishes itself as a narrative-driven game. Drawing inspiration from tabletop RPG (TTRPG) mechanics, Citizen Sleeper 2 incorporates text-based descriptions of scenarios and dice rolls to determine outcomes. Every decision feels significant, and the reactive dialogue mirrors the improvisational style of a dungeon master responding to the player’s actions. The nuanced responses from NPCs make interactions genuinely engaging and add emotional depth to the gameplay. There is a constant pressure of the main antagonist, Laine, giving you and your crew chase. The support that characters like Serafin and Bliss provided and learning about their own struggles as you journey together is a part of the game that players can feel invested in.
Serafin was one of the characters I would regularly interact with over the course of this game.
Although it is a sequel, Citizen Sleeper 2 very much stands on its own. Players unfamiliar with the first installment can jump right in without feeling lost. The game provides enough context to ensure accessibility while rewarding veterans with subtle nods to its predecessor.
That said, the sequel improves upon the original in meaningful ways. The dice mechanics are more strategic, offering players greater control over their actions. Each task is tied to one of five core attributes, which vary based on the Sleeper type chosen. This personalization makes gameplay feel unique and encourages experimentation. Progressing in the game, you’ll start picking up several contracts that require you to travel to a variety of different destinations. Every time you arrive at a new location; you can toy around with what activities to prioritize. It wasn’t always fruitful, but it does help you better understand what worked and didn’t work.
Dialogue choices throughout the game shape the relationships you have with characters you meet.
One of the standout features of Citizen Sleeper 2 is its focus on stress and cycle management. Failed actions increase stress or drain energy, directly impacting the Sleeper’s abilities. Contracts introduce an additional layer of complexity, with time-limited cycles dictating their success or failure. This creates a sense of urgency and forces players to carefully plan their moves. Suffice it to say a few contracts can and will fail because of mismanaged skill and dice roll usage.
When you bring crew members with you on contracts, it is important to remember their skillsets and lean into them.
The game loop in Citizen Sleeper 2 strikes a satisfying balance between challenge and reward. The combination of resource management, dice rolls, and narrative choices ensures a dynamic experience. Through numerous contracts, you find the prep work would vary. While failing actions can be a bummer, it isn’t the end and just further shapes your unique experience with the story. The strategic depth of its systems offers high replayability, as no two playthroughs feel exactly alike. I’ve already loaded up a second file to see how different the game will feel with the knowledge I have now and the other sleeper skillsets at my disposal.
You may not meet all the possible crew members in your playthrough based on your choices and actions.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an ambitious narrative game. Its blend of TTRPG mechanics, compelling storytelling, and strategic gameplay made it a standout game for me. For those seeking a story rich, narrative experience will find Citizen Sleeper 2 to be a standout game that I would recommend. If you’ve been considering diving into narrative games for the first time, I would caution you that this game is a bit on the deep end of that genre, and it will be a very sink or swim experience.
Take your chance to explore the Starward Belt but remember—every decision matters. Are you ready to roll the dice?
In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, players embody the Sleeper, a malfunctioning android who has escaped into the sprawling Starward Belt. As the Sleeper, your survival depends on navigating the intricate web of relationships, contracts, and challenges that this spacefaring…
In Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, players embody the Sleeper, a malfunctioning android who has escaped into the sprawling Starward Belt. As the Sleeper, your survival depends on navigating the intricate web of relationships, contracts, and challenges that this spacefaring world presents. The game challenges players to push their luck for greater rewards or face the consequences of accumulating stress, which leads to system glitches. These glitches damage the dice rolls essential to the Sleeper’s survival, adding a layer of tension to every decision.
The journey this game took me on was one I was not sure where it would go. Once I rolled credits after my 10-hour playthrough, the blend of amazing characters, fantastic writing, and a fun dice-based gameplay mechanics had its hooks in me and eager to start a second playthrough.
Each contract, you are allowed to bring two of your crewmembers with you to aid with their proficiencies.
This sequel firmly establishes itself as a narrative-driven game. Drawing inspiration from tabletop RPG (TTRPG) mechanics, Citizen Sleeper 2 incorporates text-based descriptions of scenarios and dice rolls to determine outcomes. Every decision feels significant, and the reactive dialogue mirrors the improvisational style of a dungeon master responding to the player’s actions. The nuanced responses from NPCs make interactions genuinely engaging and add emotional depth to the gameplay. There is a constant pressure of the main antagonist, Laine, giving you and your crew chase. The support that characters like Serafin and Bliss provided and learning about their own struggles as you journey together is a part of the game that players can feel invested in.
Serafin was one of the characters I would regularly interact with over the course of this game.
Although it is a sequel, Citizen Sleeper 2 very much stands on its own. Players unfamiliar with the first installment can jump right in without feeling lost. The game provides enough context to ensure accessibility while rewarding veterans with subtle nods to its predecessor.
That said, the sequel improves upon the original in meaningful ways. The dice mechanics are more strategic, offering players greater control over their actions. Each task is tied to one of five core attributes, which vary based on the Sleeper type chosen. This personalization makes gameplay feel unique and encourages experimentation. Progressing in the game, you’ll start picking up several contracts that require you to travel to a variety of different destinations. Every time you arrive at a new location; you can toy around with what activities to prioritize. It wasn’t always fruitful, but it does help you better understand what worked and didn’t work.
Dialogue choices throughout the game shape the relationships you have with characters you meet.
One of the standout features of Citizen Sleeper 2 is its focus on stress and cycle management. Failed actions increase stress or drain energy, directly impacting the Sleeper’s abilities. Contracts introduce an additional layer of complexity, with time-limited cycles dictating their success or failure. This creates a sense of urgency and forces players to carefully plan their moves. Suffice it to say a few contracts can and will fail because of mismanaged skill and dice roll usage.
When you bring crew members with you on contracts, it is important to remember their skillsets and lean into them.
The game loop in Citizen Sleeper 2 strikes a satisfying balance between challenge and reward. The combination of resource management, dice rolls, and narrative choices ensures a dynamic experience. Through numerous contracts, you find the prep work would vary. While failing actions can be a bummer, it isn’t the end and just further shapes your unique experience with the story. The strategic depth of its systems offers high replayability, as no two playthroughs feel exactly alike. I’ve already loaded up a second file to see how different the game will feel with the knowledge I have now and the other sleeper skillsets at my disposal.
You may not meet all the possible crew members in your playthrough based on your choices and actions.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an ambitious narrative game. Its blend of TTRPG mechanics, compelling storytelling, and strategic gameplay made it a standout game for me. For those seeking a story rich, narrative experience will find Citizen Sleeper 2 to be a standout game that I would recommend. If you’ve been considering diving into narrative games for the first time, I would caution you that this game is a bit on the deep end of that genre, and it will be a very sink or swim experience.
Take your chance to explore the Starward Belt but remember—every decision matters. Are you ready to roll the dice?
by Kurosh Jozavi
