Citizen Sleeper: Take the Role of a "Sleeper", a Synthetic Being, in this Tabletop RPG

Citizen Sleeper is a narrative-driven RPG set in Erlin’s Eye, a sprawling, decaying space station populated by struggling factions and individuals on the margins of society. Inspired by tabletop RPG mechanics, the game combines resource management, dice rolls, and branching narratives to immerse players in a story of survival, freedom, and identity. With its captivating writing, unique mechanics, and gorgeous art, Citizen Sleeper has become a standout indie sci-fi game.

Plot and Setting

Players take on the role of a “Sleeper,” a synthetic being whose consciousness is owned by the corporation that created them. Escaping to Erlin’s Eye, a station on the edge of a collapsing capitalist system, the Sleeper must find a way to survive while avoiding being reclaimed by their corporate overlords.

The narrative is deeply personal yet universal, exploring themes of autonomy, survival, and the fight for a meaningful life. Erlin’s Eye is a living, breathing world, home to a diverse cast of characters, including hackers, bartenders, fugitives, and revolutionaries, each with their own stories and struggles.

Gameplay Mechanics

Dice-Based Gameplay: Each cycle, players roll a set of dice to determine the actions they can take. High rolls provide better outcomes, while low rolls require careful planning and risk management.
Resource Management: Players must balance key resources like energy, condition (health), and currency to survive. Maintaining the Sleeper’s condition is particularly vital, as it deteriorates over time.
Time and Choices: Every cycle presents limited opportunities, forcing players to make difficult choices about which tasks, characters, and quests to prioritize.
Branching Narratives: Decisions made during conversations and events shape the course of the story, leading to multiple endings and paths.
Character Interactions: Players can build relationships with various NPCs, unlocking new quests, alliances, and insights into the world of Erlin’s Eye.

Themes

Survival and Autonomy: The Sleeper’s struggle to maintain their freedom while surviving in a hostile environment reflects broader themes of labour, exploitation, and resistance.
Found Family and Connection: The game emphasizes relationships, showing how bonds with others can provide support and purpose even in the harshest circumstances.
Corporate Oppression and Liberation: At its core, the story critiques corporate control and explores the cost of breaking free from oppressive systems.

Visuals and Audio

The game features stunning 2D hand-drawn art, with richly detailed environments and expressive character portraits that bring Erlin’s Eye and its inhabitants to life. The station is depicted as a vibrant yet deteriorating space, combining cyberpunk aesthetics with lived-in realism.

The atmospheric soundtrack, composed by Amos Roddy, complements the game’s tone with ambient, synth-heavy tracks that evoke both hope and melancholy. The minimalist sound design immerses players in the quiet hum of life on the station.

Have you played Citizen Sleeper? What’s your favourite part of it? We’d love to hear from you.

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Why is Citizen Sleeper so good?

Citizen Sleeper received widespread acclaim for its thought-provoking narrative, immersive world-building, and innovative mechanics. Critics praised its storytelling depth, emotional resonance, and its ability to merge tabletop-inspired gameplay with digital storytelling.