Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector Reviews
Fans of the original will surely enjoy this — keeping what I’ve said in mind — while those that are intrigued by its concept should get out the original first. Engage accordingly.
Boasting a rich and imaginative sci-fi setting, stellar writing and storytelling, and addictive, choice-driven gameplay, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector improves on its excellent predecessor to deliver an even more memorable experience.
Like Citizen Sleeper before it, Starward Vector feels like a tremendous coming together in so many senses. The marriage between the original's core concepts and the new mechanics feels natural, while the motley crue you take to the stars with, their stories included, are an exceptional cast of characters whose place in my sleeper's own journey I'll never forget.
Everything that I loved about Citizen Sleeper is present here in Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. The music and art are as stunning as they ever were, the quality of the writing is exceptional and there is no shying away from complexity when it comes to the questions posed and the sometimes painful, but often beautiful conclusions drawn from them. While it doesn't engage with its core theme as extensively as I might have liked, I found myself enjoying every moment I spent in the Starward Belt, and I was captivated by everything I saw through the Sleeper's eyes.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector's true success stems from expanding upon its mechanical and narrative foundation without overriding its potent emotional connection.
Starward Vector is a confident, brilliantly written sequel that builds on its predecessor's deft ability to weave thematic and story threads through direct-feed role playing. Gameplay tweaks and the new Contracts system turn what could've been an overly familiar double dip into a follow-up that stands confidently on its own.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Stairward Vector represents a step forward from the previous game and once again adheres to the canons of classic tabletop RPGs. While this will please purists, others may have some impatience with the static nature of the action, which despite the additions offers little dynamism and a really significant amount of text.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In yet another great science fiction with deep humane themes, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector improves on what its excellent predecessor achieved and expands the campaign structure. This time, we travel to various locations in outer space in a ship, following Sleeper and his crew through an RPG with dynamic systems and vital choices. The cohesive sum of its parts makes this work a greater whole, one that is memorable and necessary for our times.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is a solid sequel, but without the surprise factor of its predecessor, the end result isn't quite as compelling.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you're a fan of narrative games that challenge you to think and mull over, then Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is worth your consideration. It's a title that lingers long after its conclusion, and it's a perfect demonstration of narrative in video games.
Citizen Sleeper 2 is a simple and yet challenging game, with an in depth story full of interesting characters. The controls are easy to use and remember as they appear on the screen next to the actions they control. The management aspect of the game is beautifully done, and the addition of the stress system and permanent penalties gives a need for caution and a real sense of risk to your actions.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector proves to be a worthy successor to the first chapter, managing to expand and improve on the original formula without distorting its essence. The narrative is still its strong point, with excellent, engaging writing that leads the player to ponder the Sleeper's fate. The introduction of new game mechanics adds further strategic depth to the experience, making every decision even more important. However, some elements of the gameplay are poorly balanced and the lack of Italian is a blow to those who are not fluent in English. Despite some flaws, the title proves to be a deep and engaging experience, offering hours of gameplay full of tension and meaningful choices. In short, for those who loved the first chapter and for fans of narrative RPGs, this is undoubtedly a title to be recovered.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector enhances and expands on the concepts of the first game, delivering an even more compelling experience for fans of interactive narratives and tabletop RPGs. With strategic mechanics well-integrated into the gameplay, a richly-detailed universe and an immersive soundtrack, the game stands out as a sequel that respects its roots and at the same time adds new elements to make the experience deeper. However, the absence of Portuguese support may keep some of the public away, and the user interface has some hits and misses. Despite that, for those looking for a compelling story and a game system that rewards planning and strategy, Starward Vector is here to deliver on that.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is absolutely a recommendation if you have played and liked the first one. Even if you haven't, it's still worth a try. It has everything from phenomenal writing to varied characters to an intriguing plot. The gameplay remains great without being overbearing.
Citizen Sleeper 2 is an engaging space RPG for those who enjoy games heavy on writing and narrative, but it falls a bit short due to its reluctance to better explore the visual aspect.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ultimately, I think that Citizen Sleeper 2 is a slightly better game than the first with equally incredible writing. Unfortunately, it also feels a bit like the difference between The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, but in reverse. By locking you into one location, the first game forced you to learn about and fall in love with that place and the people who lived there. In Citizen Sleeper 2 I love the crew that travels through the belt with me, but I’m finding I connect with the locations I visit and their inhabitants way, way less.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is an ambitious narrative game. Its blend of TTRPG mechanics, compelling storytelling, and strategic gameplay made it a standout game for me. For those seeking a story rich, narrative experience will find Citizen Sleeper 2 to be a standout game that I would recommend.
Citizen Sleeper 2 is phenomenal, evocative, and haunting. The minimal visuals are flawlessly supported by the writing. Gut-wrenching expressions and touchingly lonely scenes flow out of the masterful descriptions. The audio design had me rocketing from dawning dread to heart-pumping motivation. And in the end, I was forced into the hero’s dilemma in a way that cemented this game as one of the year’s best.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is bigger in every facet with more locations to explore, more characters to meet, more story to read and more systems to manage. But with an increase in sheer scale, my journey has felt less significant as a result. I'm a mouth piece of a story being told rather than a Sleeper choosing my path. Whilst that leads to something more definitive, it loses the feeling of being mine. Citizen Sleeper 2 is a sci-fi world that's hard to compare and powerful in its writing, audio/visuals and gameplay making it a must-play dice driven RPG overall.
Citizen Sleeper 2 is a timely story about hope in the face of collapse and how the inevitability of endings can’t negate nobility, sacrifice, or human connections. Although it doesn’t offer as much narrative freedom as suggested by its expansive maps, the strength and depth of its stories more than recommend a play.