Citizen Sleeper 2 Review - A Compelling Narrative Journey Through Space
Experience the first two hours of Citizen Sleeper 2, where synthetic dreams meet harsh reality in a story-driven sci-fi RPG that challenges players to navigate survival, identity, and betrayal through strategic dice rolls and meaningful choices in the darkest corners of space.
TL;DR:
Howdy howdy fellow wafflers! After spending two hours with Citizen Sleeper 2, I've got some thoughts to share about this recently released narrative RPG that takes us on an intriguing journey through a sci-fi dystopia. Let's dive in and see what this game is cooking up.
Story & Setting
Citizen Sleeper 2 drops you into a fascinating world where you play as a "sleeper" - an artificial consciousness in a synthetic body - who wakes up with fragmented memories and immediately finds themselves in a tense situation. The narrative unfolds through rich text descriptions and dialogue choices that shape your path through the story.
The writing is thoughtful and atmospheric, painting a vivid picture of life in this gritty space station setting. While there's a lot of reading involved (and I mean A LOT), the quality of the prose and world-building makes it worthwhile for those who enjoy diving deep into narrative games. The story takes some unexpected dark turns - I certainly didn't see that station explosion coming! The branching paths and consequences of your choices add meaningful weight to the decisions you make.
Gameplay Mechanics
At its core, Citizen Sleeper 2 is built around a dice-based action system. Each cycle (turn) you get a set of dice to assign to various actions, with your skills modifying the odds of success. It's a straightforward but engaging system that makes you think carefully about how to use your limited resources.
The game layers on additional systems like energy management, stress accumulation, and crew management that add strategic depth without becoming overwhelming. The tutorial perhaps runs a bit long, but it does a thorough job explaining all the interlocking mechanics.
There's also an interesting "glitch die" system that was just being introduced as my two-hour session wrapped up, suggesting the game continues to evolve mechanically as you progress.
Graphics & Presentation
The visual style effectively combines 2D character portraits with atmospheric 2.5D environmental artwork that serves as a backdrop for the text-driven narrative. While there isn't much animation, the art direction creates a cohesive aesthetic that enhances the mood and setting.
Sound & Music
The audio design takes a minimalist approach that works well for the game's tone. The ambient soundtrack fades in and out appropriately, often giving way to simple environmental sounds like the hum of the station. When present, the music has a calming, almost lo-fi quality that complements the contemplative nature of the gameplay.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 5 Waffles
Citizen Sleeper 2 is an impressive narrative RPG that won't be for everyone, but excels at what it sets out to do. If you're looking for action-packed gameplay or flashy visuals, this probably isn't your jam. However, if you enjoy rich storytelling, meaningful choice & consequence, and don't mind doing a fair bit of reading, there's a lot to love here.
The game rewards patient players who take time to immerse themselves in its world and carefully consider their decisions. The branching narrative paths and various approaches to situations offer good replay value for those who want to explore different outcomes.
Pros:
- Excellent writing and world-building
- Meaningful choices with real consequences
- Engaging resource management through dice system
- Atmospheric art direction
- Solid sound design
- High replay value
Cons:
- Heavy emphasis on reading may not appeal to all players
- Tutorial section runs long
- Limited traditional "gameplay" elements
Who It's For:
- Fans of narrative-focused games
- Players who enjoy resource management
- Those who appreciate sci-fi storytelling
- People who don't mind lots of reading
Who It's Not For:
- Action game enthusiasts
- Players wanting minimal text
- Those seeking complex combat systems
Bottom line: Citizen Sleeper 2 is a thoughtfully crafted narrative RPG that provides an engaging way to lose yourself in a richly detailed sci-fi world. While it won't be everyone's cup of tea (or plate of waffles), those who click with its style will find a rewarding experience worth multiple playthroughs.
And that's a wrap on this review! If you enjoyed this content, be sure to follow us on Twitch and YouTube, check out 2tonwaffle.com for more reviews and articles, and join our Discord community to discuss all things gaming. Until next time, keep those waffles toasty!
FAQ:
Q1: Do I need to play the first Citizen Sleeper to understand this one?
A: No, while set in the same universe, Citizen Sleeper 2 tells its own independent story.
Q2: How long is the game?
A: A single playthrough typically takes 10-12 hours, but multiple paths encourage replays.
Q3: Is there any combat?
A: Not in the traditional sense. Conflicts are resolved through the dice-based system and narrative choices.
Q4: Can I die in the game?
A: Yes, but there are difficulty options that can disable death if you prefer focusing on the story.
Q5: Are there multiple endings?
A: Yes, your choices throughout the game lead to different narrative outcomes and endings.
Q6: How much actual "gameplay" is there versus reading?
A: The game is roughly 70% reading, 30% resource management and decision-making through dice mechanics.
Q7: Can I customize my character?
A: You can choose your initial class and skill focus, but visual customization is limited.
Q8: Is there voice acting?
A: No, the game is entirely text-based with atmospheric sound effects and music.
Q9: How replayable is it?
A: Very replayable due to different character builds, story choices, and multiple endings.
Q10: Are there any accessibility options?
A: Yes, including adjustable text size, difficulty settings, and the ability to modify game speed.
