When I find myself holding my breath during a game, it’s usually because I’m deep into some heart-pounding combat or a tricky platforming section. It’s those split-second decisions and perfectly timed actions that keep me on my toes. But here comes Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, an RPG that defies conventions by letting you leisurely slot dice into place. You might think that’s less thrilling, but you’d be wrong – this game manages to deliver an exhilaration all its own.
As a sequel to last year’s Citizen Sleeper, this installment takes everything up a notch – new characters, richer stories, and more complex mechanics. While diving into this one doesn’t require experience with the original, having that background certainly helps you navigate the harsh and dystopian world better. The first game often painted a lonely journey where looking out for number one was the main route. But Citizen Sleeper 2 shakes things up by introducing a crew system, transforming your Sleeper’s story into a quirky, episodic sci-fi saga.
The game retains a comforting familiarity while introducing fresh mechanical spins. Just like before, you navigate “Cycles,” each starting with you rolling six-sided dice that shape your actions. Higher rolls equal higher success probabilities. However, this time around, there’s the intriguing ‘Glitch’ system, which can drastically devalued one or multiple dice rolls, and the ‘Push’ system, a new feature allowing you to mitigate risks by accumulating Stress.
Stress is a double-edged sword, offering immediate gains at the cost of eventual troubles, like breaking a die, rendering it useless for a Cycle. This system nudges you into risky decisions, making you weigh whether a quick win is worth the possible long-term fallout. And here is where the tension peaks – those unpredictable dice rolls could spell a triumphant success or a severe setback.
What Citizen Sleeper 2 does beautifully is turn the simple act of rolling dice into a strategic risk-and-reward game. It reflects the reality of living in a body that doesn’t quite operate as smoothly as one would hope. Despite its complexities, it never feels burdensome.
Players also have a new layer to explore with the introduction of distinct Sleeper classes. Each comes with its unique set of skills and drawbacks. For example, my pick was the Machinist, which excels at engineering tasks but falters with social engagements. This creates a balanced yet strategic system driving you to adopt a distinct role that impacts how you build your party – a rather neat addition.
As you move forward, new crew members can be recruited, each adding their unique skills to your team. This shifts the dynamics significantly; you’re no longer solely relying on your rolls, as your crew can jump in with their own dice at critical moments.
But your companions aren’t just tools; they’re vibrant individuals with their own stories and agendas, sometimes leading to conflicts or enriching encounters that may not align perfectly with how you envision your Sleeper’s path. They’re complex characters molded by their harsh environment, embodying shades of gray rather than clear good or evil. It’s all about survival in a world marked by isolation, struggle, and faint politeness.
There’s no prescribed way to play Citizen Sleeper 2. Unlike traditional success or fail narratives, here, progress is shaped by choices, not failures. As stories unfold and new possibilities emerge, your priorities might shift, but there’s no failing state.
The main narrative propels forward with Major Drives, while Minor Drives serve as optional but rewarding side quests, often involving new crew members or important gear. However, the real gem is the Contract system, which offers episodic missions with their own captivating stories and rewards. These missions emphasize camaraderie and rely on more than just your skills.
With each new map layout, there’s an open sprawling galaxy to explore. Citizen Sleeper 2 is less linear, inviting free exploration and unraveling new locations. Amid all this, there’s a constant ticking clock in the background, nudging you to keep moving and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape.
Citizen Sleeper 2 balances between serene moments and heart-racing pressure. While you might be enjoying intricate dialogue, there’s always a reminder of the lurking danger, never letting you fully relax. Through meticulous world-building, the game poses profound questions about living amidst chaos and whether unpredictable outcomes are part and parcel of life.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector launches on January 31 for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, you’re in for a treat right from day one.
