Citizen Sleeper

Citizen Sleeper sounds like the documentation of an elderly action hero's life in a retirement home. The reality couldn't be more different. We have a unique sci-fi life simulator crossed with an RPG that takes us to the remote parts of space, based on a desolate station where every day is a fight for survival.

The game has dark and gritty undertones, masked by the colors and lights of stereotypical sci-fi scenery. To say that Citizen Sleeper looks intriguing is an understatement. But how much of this gameplay will live and let us do what we want? We'll have to forge our path to outwit the burdens of interplanetary capitalism.

Attention Citizens

Citizen Sleeper dictates that there will be a much deeper meaning to everything you do than follow a traditionally value-based story arc. Mechanically, the game is set up to allow players to undergo the tasks they want and interact with NPCs relevant to their ideas. And develop their skills the way they see fit. Citizen Sleeper is a liberal RPG, with the only predefined point being its setting.

You'll play as an escaped sleeper, a digital human conscious locked in an artificial body, where the corporation that owns you demands your swift return. You'll live on the urbanized space station Erlin's Eye, where you'll disappear into society, working, integrating, and building enough power to break the shackles of corporate control.

Of course, in line with typical sci-fi themes, the setting is a dystopian urban world where corporations have almost every aspect of life in the nether region. But it provides a fantastic backdrop to gameplay. You, as the sleeper, have total control over your approach to how you're going to live life. You'll explore the space station, undertake jobs, create alliances, and do what you need to survive.

While the interface to accomplish tasks is relatively straightforward, Citizen Sleeper is complex. There's not a lot of handholding in the game, so you'll need to give actions more consideration as often they will have repercussions. But honestly, working out the nooks and crannies of the game ultimately is worth it. The deep story, the intriguing themes, and the relatability of the game's narrative strike a chord.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight

The easiest way to describe the target demographic for Citizen Sleeper is those that thrive in tabletop games. The complex mechanics will rattle some casual players' brains, paired with the vast amounts of lore to read to understand what's going on in the universe. Think of a more elaborate and personal version of Risk: Global Domination, where every minor intricacy matters in shaping the story you want.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A brilliant concept in a well-designed universe
• The gameplay makes interesting mechanics out of trivial parts of survival
• Real-world parallel makes the game incredibly immersive

Cons:

• Casual gamers will struggle at first
• There is a lot to read