Citizen Sleeper is a narrative RPG set on Erlin’s Eye, a ruined space station that is home to thousands of people trying to survive on the edges of an interstellar capitalist society. You are a sleeper, a digitised human consciousness in an artificial body, owned by a corporation that wants you back. Thrust amongst the unfamiliar and colourful inhabitants of the Eye, you need to build friendships, earn your keep, and navigate the factions of this strange metropolis, if you hope to survive to see the next cycle...

Citizen Sleeper is inspired by tabletop roleplaying games

First things first. Citizen Sleeper is not a game for everyone. In fact, I'd argue that the niche of gamers who will appreciate this is going to be quite select. But, if you enjoy cerebral games that challenge you to think about every action, then you'll find the depth to be rewarding.

Inspired by tabletop roleplaying games, Citizen Sleeper uses dice, clocks and drives to create a player-led experience. Each go (known as cycles) you must roll your dice and then assign them to a range of actions available on the station. Clocks track both your actions and the actions of others across the station. From becoming a local at the Overlook Bar to protecting a friend from Yatagan enforcers, clocks allow you to track your own progress and the influence you have on the world around you. Follow drives not quests, allowing you to pick and choose the stories and activities that matter to you. As you do, you will shape your character's five skills (Engineer, Interface, Endure, Intuit and Engage), unlocking perks and bonuses that reflect and change how you choose to live in this world.

At times it feels like a classic roleplaying adventure, where there's plenty of text to read allowing the story to unfold like a book where you choose the protagonist's actions and then deal with the consequences.

Citizen Sleeper is a narrative RPG set on Erlin’s Eye

And if you enjoy the game you'll be over the moon to learn that three free episodic updates are planned. The first of these, Flux, will be available on 28 July, while episodes 2 and 3 are planned for release in October 2022 and early 2023 respectively.

In Flux, pressures in the Helion system have brought the first ships of a refugee flotilla to the Eye. You will meet and help those that get on-station before the quarantine locks them out.

For fans of roleplay games there's a lot of entertainment to be had here. For those that like to really immerse themselves in their gameplay, Citizen Sleeper is richly rewarding.

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Nick Smithson