Borrowed Body, Borrowed Time: Citizen Sleeper Review
Citizen Sleeper is a cyberpunk RPG developed by Jump Over The Age and published by Fellow Traveler. You are an escaped Sleeper, an indentured servant to a corporation in a borrowed body. Having sold your human body, your digitized consciousness lives on in an artificial form only kept alive through proprietary medicine. As you manage to make it to Erlin’s Eye, a space station home to thousands of people, you must hide from the corporation that wants you back. And make some friends along the way.
In Citizen Sleeper you are known just as Sleeper, a doomed shell of a person. You travel around Erlin’s Eye, meet new people, and complete quests. While doing so, you just also watch your hunger and condition which represent the fragile state of your dying body. Mechanically, the game is focused on narrative, however the narrative is measured in several ways. Each day you are given a dice pool with between one and six randomly generated six-sided dice. Most actions require a die to perform, and the higher the die, the better your chances of success. Your character can also level up to gain special abilities or increase stats, that in turn affect the chance of success. There are also long term trackers of success that measure your narrative progress, usually unlocking something new when you fill them up.
The world-building within Citizen Sleeper is exquisite. Erlin’s Eye is completely filled with interesting characters and events that keep you hooked. The way the characters and the world interact with each other is dynamic, often influencing other areas within the game. Within the game, it is easy to find characters to relate to and root for—making your progress all the more rewarding. It is also an incredibly diverse game. Characters of all identities and backgrounds are present on Erlin’s Eye. This makes it an especially welcoming RPG experience for those who are used to not being represented in RPGs.
From a gameplay level, Citizen Sleeper is addictive. The dice pool and success tracker system means that character and story advancement is very tangible. As a result, it is so easy to tell yourself, “Just one more day!” as you are always unlocking new places to explore and people to talk to. The interface is also very dynamic and unique, which makes for an intriguing experience. Also of note, the game continues to be updated. New story acts are coming out on a regular basis. These acts are free DLC that are a continuation of the previous story.
One of my biggest critiques is that not many of your choices seem to matter. This is especially true in dialogue sequences. There are several times throughout the game where you must choose one of several mutually exclusive options, however those are few and far between. This isn’t the biggest issue, as long as you know most of the options don’t matter for the large scale narrative. Along these lines, I would also love to see more character customization either cosmetically or in the upgrade process.
I would also add that it is not always clear what to do to advance a particular storyline. I know some people prefer to deduce the next step through dialogue and evidence. However, when there are so many locations to go to, I would have found it more helpful to have a more robust quest tracking system. I missed out on one of the few big story choices because I misinterpreted the dialogue and then didn’t complete the quest in time. It worked out fine (I got an achievement), but it was a confusing interaction that would have been helped by better quest notes or the ability to re-read what someone said previously.
Citizen Sleeper is a truly stellar RPG that combines addictive mechanics with both robust and diverse storytelling. It is certainly well worth the $20 on Steam. Any fan of RPGs and science fiction story telling should fall in love with this game!
(4.8 / 5)
As a note, the publisher Jump Over the Age accepts pitches for games at all stages of development. If you have a concept for an innovative narrative game send them a pitch!
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
- Hardcover Book
- Ito, Junji (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-01-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
