Citizen Sleeper 2 Blends Game and Story Into One Complex Dish
Jan 31, 2025
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The conversation kicks off with a playful quiz about actors named Steve, leading to a fun nostalgia trip. Delve into the intricacies of 'Citizen Sleeper 2,' where compelling narratives meet innovative gameplay. Discover the game's challenges and resource management in a richly crafted post-war universe. The hosts also explore the mystery game 'Locomotive,' praising its unique storytelling and character perspectives. The episode wraps with discussions on TV shows like 'Severance,' blending gaming insights with entertainment critiques.
Citizen Sleeper 2 significantly enhances gameplay mechanics with new strategic elements, such as managing a ship and crew, enriching the experience.
The theme of loss in gameplay serves a narrative purpose, emphasizing the difficulty of creating positive change within a challenging environment.
Deep dives
Exploring the Character Actor Challenge
The podcast features an engaging game centered around identifying various character actors named Steve. The hosts humorously interact as they attempt to guess the actors based on playful clues, with references to recognizable figures such as Steve Buscemi and Steve Carell. This lighthearted banter highlights both the knowledge of the hosts regarding these actors and adds a fun, interactive element to the episode. The segment also showcases their creative thinking as they connect famous roles to the actors’ names.
Citizen Sleeper 2: Evolution of Gameplay
Citizen Sleeper 2 is discussed as a sequel that enhances the gameplay mechanics significantly compared to its predecessor. The game introduces new elements like managing a ship and crew, adding layers of strategy as players navigate contracts and missions across the galaxy. The hosts appreciate how this new structure offers more focused gameplay experiences while maintaining immersive storytelling. This evolution keeps the pressure on players as they must balance character survival with resource management in challenging scenarios.
Narrative Depth and the Theme of Loss
A central theme in Citizen Sleeper 2 revolves around the idea of loss and the impact it has on gameplay. The hosts explain that players will experience failure, which serves a narrative purpose by emphasizing the challenges of creating positive change in a difficult environment. This approach can be daunting for completionists who expect a clear path to victory, but it enriches the storytelling experience by embracing the unpredictability of the game. The discussions reveal how the game's creators effectively intertwine mechanics with narrative depth, pushing players to confront hardship in their journey.
Gameplay Mechanics and Their Challenges
The hosts express their mixed feelings about the gameplay mechanics in Citizen Sleeper 2, specifically mentioning issues with tutorialization and user interface design. They share experiences of confusion and frustration while managing resources, which detracted from their overall enjoyment of the game. Some players found it difficult to grasp the intricate systems, particularly when dealing with crew members and their unique abilities. Despite these challenges, the hosts agree that once players familiarize themselves with the mechanics, the gameplay offers a rewarding experience filled with strategic choices.
We loved the original Citizen Sleeper, but were intimidated when we first heard the news of a sequel that would be more complicated — and presumably more difficult. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector is just as complex as we expected and yet, once we got our feet beneath us, we couldn't stop playing.
What makes a game difficult? Is it fun to lose? What does it mean to be “in the mood” for a game? We have the answers!
Plus, Loco Motive — an extremely Justin McElroy game.
Get the full list of games (and other stuff) discussed at www.besties.fan. Want more episodes? Join us at patreon.com/thebesties for three bonus episodes each month!
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