Review of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

Playing through Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, I found myself constantly reminded of a phenomenon known as “whale fall.” Just like how a whale’s massive body, upon death, descends into the ocean depths to sustain a whole ecosystem of sea life, the game’s universe unfolds in the shadow of the once-dominant Solheim corporation, now a hollowed remnant of its former self. The collapse of this corporate behemoth has given rise to new survival dynamics, where everyone scrambles to eke out an existence from its ashes. The Sleeper’s tale is merely one of many, interconnected through the remains of a fallen giant.

Having been a fan of the original Citizen Sleeper, I initially doubted the necessity for a sequel. The original seemed so complete. What more could be uncovered in this world? But to my surprise, this sequel drew me right back into its daunting yet captivating transhumanist realm. I felt a genuine pang of sadness as the credits rolled. True to its predecessor, Citizen Sleeper 2 offers a thought-provoking, unconventional, and deeply engaging sci-fi escapade.

You find yourself as a Sleeper once more, a human intelligence housed within an artificial body—a fusion of wiring, skeletal metal structures, and synthetic tissue. Awaking with fragmented memories, your recent recollections unanchored, you swiftly become ensnared in a haze of urgency and movement, perpetually on the run. Though you’ve broken free from your corporate creators, a former ally turned formidable adversary now hunts you. Space gangsters evidently frown upon those claiming autonomy over their own bodies.

Thrust into the life of a fugitive, you rely on freelance work and the roll of the dice for survival. The narrative unfolds through vivid text, with your Sleeper recounting the sensory experiences of sight, smell, and sound that envelop them. Graphically, you’re limited to viewing exteriors of locations, navigating events by selecting map markers. The game’s RPG mechanics hinge on a dice economy: each cycle—or day—starts with five dice rolls, dictating your actions and progress toward objectives. Higher rolls yield better outcomes. Managing energy and finances quickly becomes crucial, making gig work indispensable for survival.

In the original game, your journey was confined to a single station, fostering a sense of familiarity with your surroundings, from reliable job spots to favored food vendors, and the comforting presence of supportive acquaintances. That safety net has vanished in Citizen Sleeper 2. Now, your Sleeper must traverse various locations—constantly on the move to evade capture.

The need to fluctuate between different space stations and satellites, part of a system dubbed The Belt, means familiarity is fleeting, and the ever-present threat of discovery keeps you on edge. This transient lifestyle underscores a key difference from the first game: a heightened sense of tension. The sequel amplifies the urgency and strain of fleeing and surviving. Unlike the first game, where finding stability was feasible, Citizen Sleeper 2 leaves no room for such comforts. This makes for a more compelling experience. Case in point: on Day Two, your shipmate awakens you with the stark revelation that “we’re in trouble.” It’s apparent that life isn’t any easier for this Sleeper, or you, their guide.

Deliciously intense pressure defines this new iteration, enforcing a sense of urgency throughout. Among the most remarkable additions are Contracts—high-stakes missions that demand swift completion. To tackle these challenges, you assemble a crew, each member contributing unique skills and dice.

However, the potential for mistakes looms large. Failed skill checks stress out characters, forcing them off missions if they accumulate too much strain. Pushing your Sleeper too far may compromise their dice, rendering them useless and setting off crises that must be resolved before continuing the mission.

These Contracts are thrillingly intricate. Balancing crew dice allocations, examining numerical probabilities, and attempting daring maneuvers is akin to fine-tuning a precarious machine. Many times I found myself crossing fingers, hoping that a 50% chance didn’t lead to disaster. The adrenaline was addictive, compelling me to take far greater risks than ever before.

Choosing the right crew is crucial to handle the myriad potential pitfalls. Your Sleeper’s RPG-style class comes with upgradeable skills, although one capability remains forever blocked, forcing reliance on your crew’s strengths. It’s a stark reminder of life’s interdependencies.

Should you face challenges unsuited to your team’s expertise, trouble may ensue. While you might initially view team members as mere dice resources, you soon realize they’re likeminded survivors with their narratives. Recruiting crew members permanently reveals their backstories, fostering genuine connections.

On occasion, you may encounter familiar characters from the first game. Although your current Sleeper differs from the original, seeing these figures brings bittersweet comfort. Many years have passed since you last glimpsed them—they’ve grown harder and more world-weary. Their evolution serves as a poignant reminder that corporate capitalism’s cruelty leaves lasting marks.

The writing in Citizen Sleeper 2 remains incomparable, retaining the sharp, vivid depth of the first game. Gareth Damian Martin endows bustling cities with life and makes machinery pulse with authenticity. Captivating quotes pepper my screenshot folder, a testament to the game’s evocative brilliance.

Even amidst chaos, the unfolding storyline—driven by significant RPG-like decisions—remains captivating. With no dice involved, challenges rest solely on skill, ensuring extraordinary outcomes regardless. Whether drilling into a frozen asteroid’s heart or engaging with a sentient machine’s consciousness, every adventure promises surprises.

A poignant narrative element surrounds your initial encounter with Serafin. One of the first people you see, Serafin has shared past experiences now forgotten due to amnesia. Despite moments of devastating heartache, the rekindling of friendship underscores a broader theme of unending change. It’s a microcosm of the ongoing transformation faced by the Sleeper and the world they inhabit—an eternal cycle of renewal over decay.

Citizen Sleeper 2 focuses on genuine human stories rather than glorified space escapades. There are no heroes here, just ordinary people striving to endure in a capitalist universe. It’s an honest portrayal rarely seen in sci-fi, showcasing the lives of scavengers, engineers, repair technicians, and cargo haulers.

In an industry often enamored by grandiose narratives, Citizen Sleeper 2 offers grounded, meaningful tales of marginal characters. That’s precisely why it’s a standout for 2025.

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector launches on multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PS5, on January 31. This review is based on a PC version provided by the publisher.