Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Review

If you didn’t get a chance to play the first game, Citizen Sleeper, you should definitely consider adding its sequel, Starward Vector, to your watchlist. Here’s why:

Starward Vector is an engaging sci-fi narrative that promises to build upon the captivating world and characters established in Citizen Sleeper. The game offers a unique blend of role-playing, strategic decision-making, and interactive dialogue, ensuring a rich and immersive experience for players. Whether you’re a fan of the original or new to the series, Starward Vector is poised to offer an unforgettable journey through a dystopian future filled with intrigue, mystery, and personal growth.

My passion lies in story-driven games and tabletop role-playing games, which motivated me to take on this challenging, expansive, interstellar journey.

Apart from being an engaging game with an array of fascinating and unique characters in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, it’s also layered, intricate, and boasts mechanisms that are enjoyable to manipulate, even when not completely understanding their subtleties.

This game is an affirmation of my long-held passion for science fiction, serving as a blueprint for future endeavors. If you’re wondering if it shares the iconic status of its predecessor, I recommend staying tuned to find out.

The Odds Stacked Against You

In keeping with the usual pattern of this series, you find yourself waking up to a puzzling scenario, feeling as rough as sandpaper, and as events unfold, you gradually understand your part in this world.

In this tale, you assume the role of the title character, a synthetic being with human-like qualities, who is in hiding from a dangerous figure known as Laine. Although the theme of evading capture forms the core of the story, it serves as the backbone for numerous other interconnected plots that unfold and expand throughout the narrative.

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the glaring issue at hand – it seems like there’s a major bug in your system, causing frequent memory lapses in your digital existence.

It’s good news that you won’t need Stabilizer for now, but let me assure you, there are many other concerns aside from the gradual effects of withdrawal that we should be mindful of in this situation.

Initially finding a firm position in this expansive cosmic system proves challenging, yet you’ll soon discover that Starward Vector is not only as superbly crafted as its precursor, but also offers a vibrant ensemble of characters and dilemmas so intricate that they make for an exhilarating ride. It’s the type of adventure that leaves you eager to jump back in line for more.

As a gamer, I can’t help but get lost in the intricate web of connections that unfold, revealing pieces of my past one by one. The ups and downs, the highs and lows, all contribute to the captivating rhythm of this story. But what truly sets CS2 apart are its unique experiences, which I wouldn’t want to spoil for anyone.

Instead, let me clarify that the storyline is more expansive than previously, and the majority of the difference comes from the new gameplay elements, making it clear that this isn’t merely an expansion of the original game.

Just a Roll of the Dice

In case you haven’t noticed, here’s a simplified explanation of the intricate mechanics that Citizen Sleeper uses:

1. If you’re curious about how things work in this game, allow me to clarify some aspects as clearly as possible.

In this captivating world, I find myself immersed in an adventure reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Instead of swords and magic spells, I’m equipped with dice to determine my fate. Mainly, it’s about skill checks and the strategic use of action dice. These action dice grant me Cryo, the game’s currency, by accepting various tasks ranging from welding and signal listening, all the way to an array of other exciting challenges.

In every situation, you strive for a favorable outcome, but sometimes it’s neither beneficial nor harmful, and there are instances when luck doesn’t seem to be on our side, much like in that classic game that serves as an inspiration. At times, the random number generator can appear rather uncooperative.

Initially, the system might seem challenging if you’re not a repeat user, but with time, you’ll learn to utilize your dice optimally to maximize each day and delay the approaching challenges that keep reappearing for the next round.

As a space-faring gamer, I find myself once again immersed in a cosmic adventure, where the fundamental rhythm of play remains strikingly familiar to the original game. Rolling my dice, I engage in tasks that help me build my standing within the station community, and over time, this prestige unlocks intriguing missions that progress the narrative. Idleness, as before, can be a fatal mistake.

You need to always be busy, and if you are, you’ll rarely go wrong.

Refining, Not Re-inventing

As a dedicated gamer, I find that the core mechanics remain familiar, yet subtly enhanced for an engaging experience. However, what truly sets this game apart is the immersive crew-based missions that take center stage.

As a gamer, instead of being stuck in just one spot for the entire game, I get to assemble an eclectic team and most significantly, embark on various tasks to rake in some cryogenics (cyro).

On these adventures, the scenario unfolds uniquely based on whom you choose to accompany you, making multiple playthroughs intriguing. Moreover, managing not only your own actions but those of your companions as well implies that three separate sets of dice are simultaneously in play.

Additionally, every character will possess unique roles, requiring that you leverage each one’s abilities effectively to increase your chances of accomplishing the task, and potentially earning extra rewards if you perform exceptionally well.

As a gamer, I’m hooked on this game because of its exceptional dice system and progression, which have been finely tuned with some clever adjustments. Every move I make is a strategic choice that keeps me on the edge of my seat. What truly sets it apart is that the developers recognized they had something special and preserved all the great aspects.

Keep Moving

The ongoing intrigue in the game lies in the persistent chase by Laine. You strive to elude this pursuit as the turn clock’s ticking becomes a constant reminder that if it runs out, unpleasant events occur.

Playing this game consistently imposed an undercurrent of tension, yet one that served as a driving force for me to closely monitor my use of time and strive for efficiency in the process.

As a gamer, I can tell you that this experience feels eerily similar to having someone constantly lurking over my shoulder in the old days. However, the strategy I employ to fend off the unavoidable has undergone a major transformation.

As a space enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the freedom CS2 offers in exploring the Starward Belt. Unlike being tethered to a vast expanse like The Eye, here I can navigate through a series of smaller yet significant regions. With each jump, I not only broaden my horizons but also give Laine a fresh challenge to trace my new location.

To carry this out successfully, it’s crucial to meticulously plan your route, ensure you have sufficient supplies and fuel for future journeys, and over time, as stress increases, it becomes evident that difficult choices must be made or confront the inevitable.

As a gamer, I’m diving into a fresh gaming experience where I have more control and autonomy, breaking free from the linear storyline. What truly excites me is the intricate gameplay that encourages strategic planning and decision-making. I’m mapping out my journey to explore every nook and cranny, helping as many non-player characters along the way, all while ensuring my own survival.

The expanded world in this game offers a more dynamic experience compared to the original’s self-enclosed setting, introducing a sense of size and diversity that might have been missing before. And when disaster strikes and you find yourself in a desperate flight for survival, few games can replicate the intense sensation of tension and relief that follows – almost none within the text-based sub-genre.

Mushrooms, Anyone?

The aspect I enjoyed most about the game is that it offers a “choose-your-path” experience. Throughout the gameplay, you’re continually deciding how to allocate your time effectively, and your decisions at critical junctures not only impact who becomes part of your crew but also influence whether they survive or perish.

I endeavored to improve the universe, tackling small tasks and promoting kindness whenever possible. This included assisting Aki in cultivating the Greenbelt with various food samples, transporting goods for a pessimistic chef, decorating my spaceship and exhibiting it for an artist, among many other things.

Reflecting on how Laine was never far from my heels, I found myself pondering every choice more thoroughly.

Whenever I failed to garner favorable reputation, I opted for riskier assignments instead. These tasks included the extraction of ice cores from meteors, exploration of old civilizations for potent relics of antiquity, and even an attempt to rally laborers against abusive corporations.

You could find organizing elements within the UI tedious, but luckily, there’s ample room for customization. By enabling markers for your chosen tasks, you can tailor the arrangement to suit your preference.

You can effortlessly navigate the map by clicking and scrolling, with a simple right-click instantly returning you to your Rig for rest, recovery, or repairs on your dice.

Don’t Just Exist, Evolve

Although I found Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector extremely engaging, its intricacy and depth might deter casual players who aren’t accustomed to visual novel games.

After just a few hours into the game, I’m finding some aspects of its systems seem quite outdated for new players, similar to feedback on the original game. It doesn’t stop me from playing or enjoying it, but it does hinder my complete comprehension.

Furthermore, you might find the learning process quite challenging at first if you’re new to Computer Science. However, rest assured, as you progress, things will become clearer and easier to understand. This assumption holds true only if you are prepared to endure some initial perplexity or uncertainty for a short while.

Additionally, though it might appear unconventional, the black background with white text proved somewhat challenging to read at times. It occasionally strained my eyes, causing them to become slightly blurry after extended periods of gaming, over an hour in particular.

Certainly, I wear glasses, and I believe it would be advantageous for the game to provide multiple visual adjustment options to alleviate any related difficulties.

In other words, despite any minor flaws, it truly excels with stunning visuals, well-developed characters, and an expansive science fiction plot set within the Starward Belt.

Closing Comments:

As a sci-fi enthusiast, I can confidently say that Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an exhilarating journey for even those who haven’t played the original. It offers engaging dice mechanics that are both complex and enjoyable, a choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay, and a cast of characters that are unforgettable. While there might be a slight learning curve at first, persevere through it, and you’ll discover a captivating visual novel experience that will keep you hooked for quite some time.

2025-01-30 22:10