A close friend who practices occult magic keeps a list of media to recommend to people he works with in his studies. If I did the same, citizen sleeper would be on that list as required reading.

I never really understood the debate about what “art” is but I can say for certain this experience was art. I felt a well of emotions, but more than anything I felt represented. I felt like the struggles I’ve lived and seen were depicted with care and given a way that others can, in some form, experience them as well.

I’ve never seen a story so elegantly express what it’s life living with a chronic auto immune disorder. The game isn’t even about that, but just one element of the narrative it weaves.

It was a video game in name, but really I’d call it an honorary ttrpg. This is what I wish I could get others to feel when I run mothership or orbital blues.

This is, as far as I’m concerned, the best cyberpunk media to date, and it does it all by being about humanity more than anything else.

My only real criticism is that near the end there are many empty cycles, though that’s more on me forcing the game to give me more and rejecting several endings to get it. And I suppose a bit more music would have been nice, if I’m forced to say something critical.

If you like reading, play this book.