Citizen Sleeper blends RPG and visual novel wrapped in a brooding sci-fi blanket. Play as the famous Sleeper, an android that emulates a human mind, and explore Arlin’s Eye, a sprawling space station run by a corrupt corporation and populated by people who make the most of it. As you progress through the game, you’ll meet an amazing cast of supporting characters. Here lies the strength of the game.
Every day (or cycle), wake up and roll five dice. Then navigate the eye and use the dice to perform actions at each location. These can range from working in a shipyard to investigating conspiracies, and it’s up to you what you prioritize. Low rolls are not useless, as tasks often require. In the meantime, you need to keep track of your state (which gradually depletes over time, limiting the number of dice you can use) and your energy.
A little confusing at first, but the system is delicately balanced. For the majority of the game, you’re pretty much in control, but an unlucky roll can hinder your ability to earn money or advance certain objectives.
Speaking of which, the game is essentially a series of mostly text-based stories. Luckily, it’s well written, aside from a few typos here and there. Most of the characters you meet are interesting people with different backgrounds and struggles. Each one gives you a Drive — the story threads that follow will, when completed, reward you with upgrade points. But it helps that the storyline is compelling enough to pull you in.
Unfortunately, the game gets somewhat boring towards the end, with multiple conclusions that don’t feel particularly fulfilling. Citizen Sleeper captivates players with its elegant presentation, thoughtful narrative, and memorable characters, and despite one or two minor missteps, Citizen Sleeper is a compelling and atmospheric story that is worth the dice roll. It’s an experience.
