Prepare for the highly anticipated release of Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector this January 2025. In this gripping sequel, players will delve into a dystopian future where survival, identity, and human relationships are pushed to their limits. Explore the vast Starward Belt, manage a diverse crew, and navigate corporate proxy wars as you try to maintain your humanity in a world on the brink of collapse. With improved gameplay, new challenges, and deep narrative elements, this game promises to be a standout experience for 2025.
One of the most anticipated games of 2025 is set to officially release at the end of this month.
The life of a “Sleeper” has never been easy. They exist as an artificial mind inside an android body, forced to work in a state of legal slavery until discarded. Escaping Sleeper units also struggle to survive due to implanted tracking devices and a codependent reliance on a drug called Stabilizer. Without it, their body will reject synthetic biological organs, leading to complete collapse.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, developed by Gareth Damian Martin, presents this dystopian vision as a reminder of the darkest aspects of modern technology, pushed to its worst extremes.
From the Gig Economy to Questions About the Future
Martin shares that the first installment of Citizen Sleeper, released in 2022, was inspired by their experience as a gig worker. The game vividly depicted the isolation and harshness of modern labor, earning praise from both critics and players.
With the second installment, Martin raises a larger question: “How do we build the future when we know everything will eventually collapse?” Not only are political systems and societal structures at risk, but even human bodies and lives face inevitable decay. Yet, each day, we continue to try and build something.
Expanding the Story with a New Setting
In Citizen Sleeper 2, the protagonist has disabled the tracking device and is no longer reliant on the Stabilizer. However, this does not make their life any less dangerous. The game takes players out of the familiar space station to explore the Starward Belt, a region frequently referenced in the first game.
Along with the new setting comes a ship and crew that players must manage. The scale of the story is much larger, with a script of about 250,000 words, nearly double the length of the first game. Additionally, the game introduces the element of proxy wars between corporations, which increases the tension within the Starward Belt.
Gameplay and New Systems
Like the previous installment, players will use up to five dice per cycle to take actions that earn money or develop the story. The success rate of each action depends on the dice roll, with each mission carrying a different level of risk.
Another core system is the “clocks,” which require players to meet objectives within a limited time. These elements combine harmoniously, adding tension and aligning with the narrative to create a deep and engaging experience.
Improved Gameplay and Difficulty
Citizen Sleeper 2 demonstrates more confidence in its approach compared to the first game. It offers various difficulty levels, and at the highest, the player’s character may face “permadeath.” This demands more careful planning, especially for the new Contracts feature, which allows players and their crew to take on risky missions outside the Starward Belt.
Each Contract is an independent challenge, requiring players to manage the stress of both the protagonist and the crew members. If stress levels exceed a limit, the character may be severely impacted or unable to continue the mission.
A Human Experience in a Harsh World
Martin has cleverly integrated humanistic elements into the gameplay. A new system, Glitch dice, adds a higher level of risk as dice rolls can become a double-edged sword, producing unexpected outcomes. This mechanic not only increases difficulty but also deepens the player’s sense of the protagonist’s fragility.
Meaning Beyond the Game
The story of Citizen Sleeper 2 is not just about survival, but about maintaining human relationships in a world full of pressure. Martin asks a larger question: “Can we build something meaningful when we know everything could be crushed at any moment?”
The answer isn’t in the game itself but in the player’s experience. Like a GM in a tabletop RPG, Martin seeks to guide players through unexpected emotions, creating a story that is both spontaneous and profound.
Release Date and Platforms
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is set to release on January 31, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. From what has been shown so far, the game not only builds on the success of its predecessor but also promises to be a memorable title of the year.