Citizen Sleeper 2: 8 Tips To Survive The Starward Belt

Summary

Citizen Sleeper 2 isn’t a direct sequel, newcomers can enjoy it without playing the first game.
Class choice matters, but there’s always a viable approach for all three options.
Push abilities, like rerolling dice, are crucial for making critical decisions in the game.

In 2022, Citizen Sleeper unexpectedly emerged and left gamers amazed by its intricate sci-fi plot presented through the perspective of a visual novel with hints of tabletop RPG elements. Similar to contemporary masterpieces like Disco Elysium, the developers at Jump Over the Age designed their game around an innovative dice-based system that offered players significant control over Citizen Sleeper’s heartfelt narrative.

Approximately three years after its initial release, we now have the next installment: “Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector”. This sequel expands the storyline, refines its dice-based mechanics, and delves deeper into the personal yet expansive science fiction narrative. The original’s popular themes of class conflict, corporate dominance, and unexpected camaraderie are still present. For newcomers trying to grasp the game’s mechanics or returning players eager to understand the numerous changes in this sequel, these “Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector beginner guides” will set everyone on the right path as they embark on their adventure through the Starward Belt.

8. Citizen Sleeper 2 Is Not A Direct Sequel

Playing The First Game Is Not A Requirement

To clarify matters from the start, there are numerous shared elements between “Citizen Sleeper 2” and its predecessor. They both unfold in the same universe, star an ex-corporate android with a human consciousness as the main character, employ the same art style, dice mechanics, and text-based narrative structure. However, for those who are curious if they can understand the story without prior knowledge of the first game, rest assured, absolutely yes, you can follow along just fine!

In the narratives of both “Citizen Sleeper” games, there are subtleties that may not immediately resonate with players diving into the sequel without prior knowledge. Yet, concerning the main plot, characters, and background details, the storyline in “Citizen Sleeper 2” is structured so that newcomers to the series can fully grasp and appreciate it.

7. Class Choice Matters… But It Also Doesn’t

The Most Important Thing Is To Remember Class Strengths And Weaknesses

In the game Citizen Sleeper 2, you’ll find three roles: Machinist, Operator, and Extractor. Although their titles might seem unusual, they essentially function like a conventional trio of Fighter, Rogue, and Mage, but with a futuristic twist.

Extractors excel in hazardous situations, yet they may not be as proficient with technology. Operators can interact with computers and launch long-range hacks, but their resistance to hazards is relatively weak. Machinists can construct, repair, and tamper with things, but they aren’t particularly skilled in confrontations.

In every scenario, it’s evident why each class excels in specific situations. However, Citizen Sleeper 2 skillfully ensures that there’s a workable solution for all three character classes. These strategies may not result in identical outcomes, but they avoid any failure state. The key is for players to remember the advantages and disadvantages of their selected class and make decisions accordingly.

6. Push Abilities Are Crucial

Take Some Of The RNG Out Of Decisions

Each class offers distinct initial skills, plus a special Push ability that can significantly influence gameplay strategies. Essentially, these abilities perform one of three functions: they lessen tension (Stress), enhance die rolls, or allow for re-rolling dice. In essence, this is the basic idea, although there’s more intricacy involved, particularly when upgrades are introduced into the gameplay.

As I found myself immersed in this cinematic masterpiece, I couldn’t help but notice the strategic significance of the hero’s unique abilities. Each power is limited to a single use per mission cycle, making their deployment a crucial decision. Though these abilities possess immense potential to shift the battlefield dramatically, they are not mere buttons for unleashing Spartan Rage. Instead, they are potent tools that, when used judiciously, can tip the scales in our protagonist’s favor. However, like any powerful weapon, they carry an element of risk. A miscalculated move could lead to unexpected consequences, making it prudent to always have a contingency plan ready at hand.

When enhancing Push capabilities, you’ll find three levels of enhancements, each containing two distinct choices. Although it’s feasible to uncover all options within each level, remember that only one improvement from each tier may be activated at once.

5. Contract Work Is Not Fast Cash

There Are Easier Ways To Earn Money In A Hurry

In Citizen Sleeper 2, the primary tasks that move the story forward, secure team members, or enlarge the play area are referred to as Missions, which we call “Drives.” These Drives can be Minor or Major; Minor Drives often involve investigating a location and handling minor chores. Major Drives necessitate accepting Contracts and traversing the cosmos. Both types of missions come with their own perks, but remember that Major Missions may demand additional costs as well.

Before starting a significant Journey to fulfill a Task, players must ensure they have sufficient Fuel to reach their destination. Additionally, they’ll require Essentials that help maintain their Vitality. When Vitality drops, players will accumulate Pressure at the beginning of each Phase. We’ll delve into Pressure further, but for now, know that it’s generally unfavorable. Both Fuel and Essentials come with a price tag (Cryo) and should be obtained before venturing out to tackle a Task.

It’s great to know that Fuel and Supplies aren’t excessively costly (compared to other things, at least). If players find themselves stranded at a Hub and need money urgently, it’s more effective to take on small tasks around the Hub instead of trying to scrape together just enough for a quick trip to finish a Contract. These tasks might not pay as well as completing a Contract, but they also won’t cost you anything extra and can be done multiple times.

4. Use Dice Rolls Precisely

Even A Bad Roll Can Be Useful For The Right Task

In each game cycle, players receive six dice, numbered from 1 to 6, similar to a classic tabletop role-playing game. Here, a roll of 1 is less fortunate, while a 6 brings good fortune. Players can allocate these dice towards tasks they aim to accomplish, and the result determines the task’s success level. A 6 guarantees a positive outcome, while a 5 presents an equal chance between a positive or neutral result. Rolling a 4 or 3 offers a 1 in 4 possibility of either a positive or negative outcome, but there is a 50% likelihood that it will be neutral. On the other hand, a roll of 1 or 2 gives an equal chance for either a neutral or unfavorable result.

This system has layers of complexity. As previously mentioned, each class excels in certain areas but also falls short in others. It provides an edge in one of Engineer, Endure, Intuit, Engage, or Interface skills while presenting a significant drawback in the same area. For tasks requiring Endure, for instance, having an advantage will enhance the die roll by 1, whereas a disadvantage will lower it by 2. Therefore, carefully selecting which die to employ for each task is crucial. To illustrate, utilizing a 6 for a task when one has an advantage is unnecessary if a 5 is available since the 5 can be boosted to a 6 due to stats. Conversely, there’s no distinction between using a 4 or 3 on tasks where one is at a disadvantage compared to using a 1 or 2, as higher dice will still be reduced by 2 in such cases.

3. Manage And Avoid Stress At All Times

There Is Nothing More Detrimental Than Losing Dice

In the latest version of “Citizen Sleeper 2”, a new mechanic called Stress has been introduced. When an action fails or goes awry, either the player or one of their team members will accumulate Stress. If a crew member’s Stress reaches its limit, they become incapacitated and cannot perform any actions. For the player, things get a bit more intricate as when they reach their maximum Stress level, various consequences occur that may impact their gameplay experience.

As a player accumulates stress, small markers (or dots) will show up on specific areas of their stress gauge, which sits above their dice roll display. These dots correspond to numbers on the actual dice. At the beginning of each round, if the rolled die number matches a filled-in stress marker, that die sustains damage. Each die initially has three points of health, and when this is depleted, the die will be damaged and needs to be repaired at a Hub location.

In the game, running out of dice can significantly limit your actions within each round, which is already a disadvantage. However, it becomes more problematic because having fewer dice may compel players to use less favorable die rolls for tasks, leading to increased Stress. More Stress often leads to additional die damage, creating a vicious cycle. If all dice are lost, the player will acquire a permanent Glitch, which we’ll discuss later, but suffice it to say, it’s something undesirable. Therefore, maintaining low Stress by opting for less risky moves, using Push abilities, or resting at a Hub is crucial.

If you employ a Power that alters dice results, and the modified roll shows a Stress symbol, the affected die will still sustain harm. However, this damage can be reduced with Push enhancements.

2. Glitches Are An Unfortunate Fact Of Life

Just Ignore Them And They’ll Go Away

Throughout their adventure, players will gather Glitches, indicated by a small meter accompanying their dice display. These Glitches may manifest either from fixing faulty dice or specific story events. At the beginning of each Cycle, one of your dice rolls is transformed into a Glitched Die due to a Glitch. This die doesn’t have a number, but instead offers a 20% chance of a favorable result and an 80% chance of an unfavorable outcome, regardless of the stats. Clearly, these odds aren’t ideal, and while they can be utilized in dire circumstances, it’s usually wiser to simply disregard them.

Whenever a Glitched Die comes up instead of a normal die, the Glitch gauge decreases by one. Once the gauge runs out, Glitched Dices won’t show up anymore. Although you can swap out Glitched Dice using the Operator’s Push ability, it’s still wiser to leave them be rather than risking the stress of a nearly certain unfavorable result.

When a player reduces the health of each of their dice to zero, they will acquire a persistent malfunction, also known as a Glitch. This Glitched Die affects subsequent rolls, however, it cannot be eliminated. Thus, effectively handling Stress becomes even more crucial due to this additional challenge.

1. Don’t Fear Failure

Every Closed Door Offers A New Opportunity

In tabletop role-playing games or Citizen Sleeper 2, a failed attempt at a task or completing a Contract can seem like a catastrophic event. Repeating a task after failure by reloading an autosave might be what some players instinctively do. However, there are a couple of issues with this approach: Firstly, there is no option to reload an autosave in the game. Secondly, failing a mission doesn’t mean the end of the narrative. Instead, it could signify a turning point or challenge that propels your character forward on their journey.

In essence, no matter the outcome, another chance or path will present itself after every setback within Citizen Sleeper 2. The narrative won’t label a situation as a “failure,” instead, it moves forward. Completing a Contract may seem like a missed opportunity, but that’s the essence of the Citizen Sleeper series: overcoming obstacles, pushing through adversity, and discovering hope in unexpected places. Failure is an integral part of the game, as it enhances the significance of eventual triumph.

2025-02-04 12:11