The highly anticipated sequel to Citizen Sleeper, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, has finally arrived. Set in a far-flung future world, the game follows the story of Erlin, a robot with a digitised human mind who must navigate the dangers of space to survive.
Players take on the role of a Sleeper, a robot shorn of memories and forced to rely on its wits to survive. The game offers a mix of exploration, combat, and role-playing elements, as Erlin searches for a way to sever the mysterious link between its body and that of its creator, Laine.
One of the standout features of Citizen Sleeper 2 is its tense gameplay, which relies on dice rolls to determine success or failure. However, failure can have consequences, including stress and broken dice. Players must carefully manage their risk-taking strategy, as each decision can lead to catastrophic results.
Players are joined by a crew of up to two characters, each with their own unique abilities and strengths. While the game’s world is vast, with multiple locations to visit, it feels somewhat fragmented, with too many activities crammed into each space station. The crew system also feels underutilized, lacking any meaningful upgrades or integration into gameplay.
Despite these criticisms, the game’s characters are expertly drawn, with rich backstories and compelling personalities. The world of Citizen Sleeper 2 is full of compassion and empathy, making it a joy to return to this universe.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector releases on January 31st, offering players a new chapter in the series’ exploration of desperation and survival in space.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/games/2025/jan/30/citizen-sleeper-2-starward-vector-review-were-putting-together-a-crew