Review of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector

While diving into the world of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, I couldn’t shake the image of a ‘whale fall.’ You know, the natural phenomenon where a whale’s massive body descends into the ocean’s depths upon its death, nourishing an entire ecosystem of sea life. In this sci-fi narrative, a similar fate has befallen the world, set in the aftermath of the once-great Solheim corporation’s collapse. The story unfolds amid the remnants of this fallen giant, as inhabitants pick clean its bones to survive, illustrating a new way of living. The backdrop might be familiar, but the Sleeper’s journey is only one of countless tales feeding off this vast wreckage.

My initial thoughts, as a fan of the first Citizen Sleeper, were that a sequel seemed unnecessary. The original felt so complete that I questioned what more could be explored. But to my delight, Citizen Sleeper 2 offers even more of its captivating, transhumanist universe. When the credits finally rolled, I felt a genuine pang of sadness. Like its predecessor, this sequel is deeply reflective, subversive, and thoroughly engaging in its sci-fi narrative.

In this installment, you step once more into the shoes of a Sleeper—a human consciousness within a prosthetic body of wires and synthetic flesh. Awakening with amnesia, your long-term memories intact, you find your short-term ones slipping away. In a whirlwind of action, you find yourself on the run again. You’ve evaded your corporate creators, but now face a former ally who’s become a formidable adversary. Space gangsters, it appears, aren’t fond of you claiming autonomy over your own body.

This sets the stage for a new chapter as a fugitive, relying on gig work and the luck of dice rolls to make your way. The narrative unfolds through vivid text, immersing you in the Sleeper’s sensory experiences. The visuals are minimal, focusing on exteriors of locations as you navigate events via a map. Citizen Sleeper’s RPG mechanics rely on a dice system—you roll five dice each cycle, using the results to progress actions toward goals. Higher rolls promise better outcomes. Balancing energy and finances is crucial, so gig work becomes your lifeline.

The first game confined its story to a single space station, allowing you to grow familiar with its nooks and crannies—where to find steady work, the best food vendors, and a few friendly faces. That sense of security is absent in Citizen Sleeper 2. Your Sleeper now drifts between various locations, hiding in anonymity. The Belt, a network of stations and satellites, becomes your playground—and your prison. Staying ahead of your pursuer requires constant movement and preparation for whatever awaits at each stop.

This constant shift brings palpable tension—a major difference from the first game. While the latter allowed a degree of comfort, Citizen Sleeper 2 holds no such sanctuary. It embraces the perpetual strain of survival, presenting a more engaging experience. I realized this the second morning when my shipmate woke me with, “We’re in trouble.” It became clear that this Sleeper, and by extension the player, would find no respite.

The sequel introduces exciting new elements, including Contracts—high-stakes missions demanding timely execution. Assembling a skilled crew is vital, each member contributing abilities and dice to your cause. However, setbacks abound. Failed skill checks inflict stress on characters; too much stress and they withdraw from missions altogether. The Sleeper, under excessive stress, risks cracking dice, rendering them unusable—a dire situation. Botched checks might also spark crisis events requiring resolution to keep your mission afloat.

Navigating these complex scenarios, full of dice rolls, stress meters, and crisis management, is devilishly entertaining. Carefully placing crew dice, analyzing figures, and attempting audacious gambits transform the experience into a thrilling gamble. Often, I found myself hoping fervently that a 50% risk wouldn’t backfire—and that thrill kept me hooked, pushing boundaries I hadn’t in the original game.

Choosing the right crew is essential, needing a balance of risk mitigation and anticipation of potential pitfalls. Your Sleeper’s RPG-style class boasts upgradable skills, though one will always remain locked, compelling reliance on others to compensate for weaknesses—much like real life.

Facing challenges without a suitable crew skill can spell trouble. Characters start as mere resources, yet over time they reveal themselves as complex individuals with intertwining backstories. Deciding who joins your crew permanently adds depth and narrative richness. They become more than tools—they’re fellow wanderers, and your spaceship becomes a sanctuary for these displaced souls navigating The Belt.

As you journey, you may encounter familiar faces from the first game. While your Sleeper differs from theirs, their presence is both comforting and bittersweet. Time has hardened them, showcasing how the harsh realities of corporate capitalism leave their mark.

This profound transformation is a testament to the brilliant writing in Citizen Sleeper 2, brimming with rich, visceral prose. Gareth Damian Martin breathes life into the game’s world, with stunning insights I found myself snapshotting for posterity, much like favorite book passages.

The narrative deftly illustrates that adversity often leads to compelling developments. Citizen Sleeper 2 incorporates RPG-style choices in pivotal story moments, relying on your skills rather than luck. Each outcome remains intriguing, driving dynamic scenarios. From drilling through asteroids to aiding burgeoning colonies, the narrative is a whirlwind of compelling adventures.

One standout piece of storytelling involves Serafin. Your Sleeper encounters him early on, a character with shared history obscured by amnesia. Serafin confronts the grief of a forgotten friendship, while the Sleeper grapples with regaining a lost bond. Their journey towards reconnection embodies the broader themes of adaptation and renewal.

These intimate stories, grounded in human struggle, enhance the game’s philosophical musings on transhumanism, capitalism, power, and technology. Without space wizards or epic battles, Citizen Sleeper 2 celebrates the everyday resilience of ordinary individuals. It circumvents the allure of glossy sci-fi counterparts, opting instead for gritty realism.

Citizen Sleeper’s universe belongs to its stalwart survivors—engineers, scavengers, technicians—crafting tales out of their rugged existences. As such, Citizen Sleeper 2 is a vivid testament to storytelling’s power, marking a promising start to 2025.

You can expect Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector on PC, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 on January 31. This review is crafted with insights from PC code supplied by the publisher.