Citizen Sleeper merges the RPG with the visible novel, wrapping it up in a brooding sci-fi blanket. Enjoying because the titular Sleeper — an android with the emulated thoughts of a human being — you discover Erlin’s Eye, an enormous area station run by corrupt firms and inhabited by individuals making the most effective of it. As you progress, you will meet an important solid of supporting characters, and it is right here the place the sport’s strengths lie.
Every day (or cycle), you get up and roll as much as 5 cube. You then navigate the Eye and spend your cube to carry out actions at every location. These range from working within the shipyard to investigating a conspiracy, and it is as much as you what to prioritise. The upper the roll, the higher the prospect of an excellent end result, however low rolls aren’t ineffective, typically required for sure hacking-related duties. In the meantime, you must carry on high of your situation — which steadily depletes over time, limiting what number of cube you should utilize — and your vitality.
It is somewhat complicated at first, however the system is a gently balanced one. For a big share of the sport, you are saved nearly in management, however unfortunate rolls might intervene along with your potential to generate income or progress sure aims.
Talking of which, the sport is basically a collection of tales which might be largely text-based. Thankfully, save for some typos right here and there, it is well-written; a lot of the characters you meet are fascinating people with diversified backgrounds and struggles. Every of them gives you Drives — narrative threads to observe that, when full, reward you with an improve level. Among the upgrades are extremely helpful, so it is price discovering and ending Drives, nevertheless it helps that the storylines are partaking sufficient to tug you alongside.
Sadly the sport falters considerably on the finish, with a number of conclusions that do not really feel notably fulfilling. Nevertheless, general the journey is a worthwhile one. Citizen Sleeper hooks you with its elegant presentation, considerate narrative, and memorable characters, and regardless of one or two small missteps, it is an engrossing, atmospheric expertise price a roll of the cube.