IIt is great to immerse oneself in this futuristic world once again. Citizen Sleeper 2 is filled with captivating portrayals of everyday life in outer space, much like its predecessor. From farmers tending to zero-gravity crops in asteroid greenhouses to the cartels that govern them, everyone is struggling to survive. I am captivated by it.

Once again, you assume the role of a sleeper, a robot implanted with a digitized human heart carrying the memories of its former self. In the first game, you broke free from the corporation that created you and attempted to wean the robot off its dependency on stabilizing drugs. In the sequel, you play as another sleeper with a stabilizer implanted, but this time you risk falling under the control of a gang leader named Rain.

While the action was confined to a single space station in the previous game, the sequel ventures into a much broader space known as “The Belt.” A timer constantly reminds you of how close Rain’s gang is pursuing you after your explosive escape. This initial segment is a race against time to gather enough fuel and supplies for the next leg of your journey, uncovering the mysterious connection Rain has with your body along the way.

Each destination presents a unique visual backdrop, whether it’s an abandoned asteroid colony or a bustling population hub. You can explore the surroundings, read text explanations, and engage in conversations. Similar to the first game, there are five dice rolls at the beginning of each day that influence your success in various activities. The higher the number rolled, the greater your chances of success.

However, dice can now break under high-stakes missions. Failures can accumulate stress, potentially damaging your dice. If a die’s energy depletes to zero, it becomes unusable until restored. Breaking all 5 dice at normal difficulty will permanently glitch your character. Each die provides an 80% chance of success.

Contracts in the game can include up to two crew members, similar to Mass Effect 2. The crew members each come with two specialized dice for different tasks. You can also use a special ability called “push” once per cycle to boost low dice rolls at the risk of causing stress. The game’s premise is intense and involving, offering a challenging experience. Failure in Citizen Sleeper 2 is a real possibility, making each day a brave struggle at least initially. Missing deadlines may result in failed missions, encouraging players to replay and explore different outcomes.

CITIZEN SLEEPER 2 is double the size of its predecessor, allowing players to visit more locations. However, this expansion comes at a cost of depth compared to the previous title. Instead of focusing closely on one location, players traverse several spacecraft stations with various activities. It feels like the crew members are underutilized, and the lack of ability upgrades limits gameplay integration.

Despite these shortcomings, the characters are the game’s greatest strength, with vivid portraits by manga artist GUILLAUME SINGELIN and compelling backstories. The world of Citizen Sleeper 2 is rich and immersive, inviting players to revisit the universe crafted by Gareth Damian Martin.

CITIZEN SLEEPER 2: Starward Vector will be released on January 31st