Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector begins with a greater urgency than its predecessor. You once again play as a Sleeper, a digitised human consciousness transplanted into an android slave, who’s broken free of their contracted servitude. But this time you’re on the run from a nasty gang leader called Laine. If being in debt to corporations isn’t bad enough, he’s essentially the loan shark.
The threat of his closing in on you ramps up the stakes considerably, while also giving the sequel a new structure. No longer confined to a single location, you’ve got a stolen ship to traverse the rest of the Starward Belt. That also means besides managing your stress levels and earning enough to keep yourself from starving, you also need to earn enough cryo to buy enough fuel so that you can stay on the move, as your pursuer is constantly on your tail.
Roll with it, in Citizen Sleeper 2
Otherwise, the game’s cycles (or days) are similar to before, playing out like a tabletop RPG with dice rolls and skill checks. You’re given a random roll of dice at the start of each cycle, which you have to use to try to complete a choice of tasks, from ones that unlock new locations or advance the story, or jobs that can earn you a handful of much needed cryo.
It can be dismaying if you get a bad set of dice, but it’s that dilemma of whether to roll with the punches when the chips are down, or to end a cycle early to prioritise self-care (that is if you can afford to do that) that makes each cycle so tense and especially relatable in this age of precarity.
Found in Space
Fortunately, for contracts, more tactically focused quests that’s new to Citizen Sleeper 2, you also have the aid of characters you can recruit as you explore the Belt, such as data extractor Juni or air bike courier Kadet. Each has their own distinct specialty, as well as backstories with relevant questlines that further flesh out the world. They also come with their own dice to help out during contracts, though they’ll also drop out if you max their stress levels.
Your sleeper also has a new push ability for each cycle, depending on the class you choose at the start, which while raising stress can help turn the fortunes of your lowest dice around if you’re in a pinch. But if you really want to bet the odds, there’s also the chance of rolling glitch dice, which rolls either a 1 or 6, but where you only have a 20% chance of the latter, odds that you nonetheless may force yourself to risk.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Verdict
Insightful writing and tightly controlled tabletop RPG pacing makes this new expanded sequel worth your time, even if you’re new to the Citizen Sleeper universe.
Conclusion
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a game that will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its tense gameplay and relatable characters. The addition of new quests and characters adds depth to the game, and the ability to recruit allies and build a found family is a great touch. If you’re looking for a game that will challenge you and keep you engaged, Citizen Sleeper 2 is definitely worth checking out.
FAQs
Q: What is the main difference between Citizen Sleeper 2 and its predecessor?
A: The main difference is the addition of a stolen ship and the ability to traverse the Starward Belt, as well as the threat of being pursued by a gang leader.
Q: How does the gameplay work?
A: The gameplay is similar to a tabletop RPG, with dice rolls and skill checks determining the outcome of tasks and quests.
Q: Can I recruit allies in the game?
A: Yes, you can recruit characters with their own specialties and backstories, who can aid you in contracts and quests.
Q: Is the game suitable for new players?
A: Yes, the game is designed to be accessible to new players, with a gentle learning curve and a tutorial to help you get started.
