Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Release Date: January 31, 2025
RPG, cyberpunk, science fiction, elements of strategy, indie games, Game Pass, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is the sequel to a space RPG, in which we play as an android escaping a mighty corporation. The game is inspired by tabletop RPGs, introducing new gameplay mechanics and featuring an entirely new story.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a sequel to a cyberpunk RPG inspired by tabletop role-playing games. It's a space story about a mechanical fugitive developed by Gareth Damian Martin, the founder and the only member of the indie studio Jump Over The Age, with help from artist Guillaume Singelin (PTSD) and composer Amos Roddy (The Wild at Heart, Some Distant Memory).
Plot
Citizen Sleeper 2 is, once again, set in a universe ruled by mighty corporations. The new protagonist is another Sleeper - a person whose mind was digitized and transferred to a mechanical body.
The android is, once again, a fugitive chased by former employees, though they end up in a completely different place than the protagonist of the first game. Said place is the Starward Belt on the outskirts of the Helion system, with only a derelict stolen ship, a derelict robotic body, amnesia and a bounty on their head.
To survive and escape their pursuers once and for all, the hero must fix their body and assemble a crew. As if that wasn't enough, there's a conflict brewing between two corporations. Echoes of distant battles between them reach even the Helion outskirts, in form of refugees and damaged warships.
Mechanics
Gareth Damian Martin didn't plan to revolutionize the mechanics of the first game. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector still draws heavily from tabletop RPGs. The game is divided into cycles, our main objective being to ensure our protagonist's survival and keep running from their pursuers.
At the start of each cycle we roll the dice, assigning numbers to specific actions or events (the dice placement mechanic). There are no typical quests, instead being replaced by drives. Fulfilling them is how we develop our skills, such as Engineering and Endurance.
The second Citizen Sleeper isn't just a new story set in a near identical game, however. Our hero doesn't live in a run-down space station, but on their own ship which requires maintenance and a crew. This means we need supplies that we cannot obtain without taking on risky quests, which can draw our pursuers' attention.
Thanks to crew and ship management the developer could introduce new mechanics and modify some systems from the first game.
Technical aspects
The visuals were once again created by Guillaume Singelin. Citizen Sleeper 2 thus retains the comic book-like artstyle of the first game, combining a sterile three-dimensional world with two-dimensional characters. There's no voice acting, though, as expected from an RPG, there's a lot of dialogue. The atmospheric soundtrack was composed by Amos Roddy.
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Videos and Screens
[1:18] Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector - Launch Trailer
[1:45] Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector - Release Date Trailer
Digital Trends: 3.5 / 5 by Giovanni Colantonio
Citizen Sleeper 2 isn’t about living in a perfect world free from oppressive systems, nor does it posit that such a thing is possible. Its comfort is in the belief that we can carve out a home in a world that’s built to box us out. That’s accomplished through the people we keep close, the communities we build, and what we do with our bodies. These should be the things that no one can take from us.
Xbox Achievements: 80 / 100 by Josh Wise
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector follows on from Citizen Sleeper, but it keeps its distance. It's set in the same world, where the chilly vacuums...
MKAU Gaming: 9 / 10 by Dylan Kocins
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector builds on everything that made the original great, introducing new features that elevate the experience. Its twisting, turning narrative, refined mechanics, and atmospheric world make it a great standout in the indie sci-fi genre.
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Storytelling: The writing is praised for its depth and emotional impact, with many players expressing that it resonates with them personally.
- Expanded Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of new systems, such as the crew mechanics and contracts, adds layers of complexity and strategy to the gameplay.
- Visual and Audio Quality: The art style and soundtrack are consistently highlighted as beautiful and immersive, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Character Development: Many reviews commend the variety of characters and their unique stories, though opinions vary on their depth compared to the first game.
- Emotional Themes: The game explores themes of community, survival, and personal struggle in a sci-fi setting, resonating with players on a personal level.
The main cons of the game
- Less Personal Connection: Some players feel that the sequel lacks the intimate storytelling and character depth of the first game, with a broader focus on locations rather than personal arcs.
- Punishing Mechanics: The new stress and glitch mechanics can be frustrating, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed or unfairly punished during gameplay.
- Linear Narrative: Critics mention that the game feels more linear than the first, with fewer impactful choices and a single ending, which may detract from replayability.
- Character Interactions: There are complaints about the lack of meaningful interactions between crew members, making them feel underdeveloped.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Voice Acting: Several reviews mention that the absence of voice acting diminishes the overall experience, suggesting that even minimal narration could enhance immersion.
- More Diverse Endings: Players miss the multiple endings from the first game, feeling that the sequel's narrative could benefit from more varied outcomes based on player choices.
- Character Development Opportunities: Some players express a desire for a more robust system for leveling up or improving crew members, which could enhance their engagement in the story and gameplay.
- Exploration Depth: There are calls for more unique characteristics for locations, as some players found the environments somewhat repetitive, leading to a lack of excitement during exploration.
Summary
- Overall, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is seen as a worthy sequel that expands on its predecessor in many ways, but it also faces criticism for certain gameplay mechanics and narrative choices that some players feel detract from the experience.
Summary generated on:
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Summary
Game Series: Citizen Sleeper
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X/S
Switch
Developer: Jump Over The Age
Publisher: Fellow Traveller / Surprise Attack Games
Age restrictions: 12+
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, graphic card DirectX 11, 2 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
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