The Citizen

I'm trying to quit drugs and this game reminded me why

The Citizen is a first-person narrative comedy experience developed by SkyBrave and Edvard Stokstad and published by TENSTACK. Built around absurd humor, self-aware storytelling, and minimalist design, the game takes a very different approach compared to traditional narrative adventures. Rather than focusing on elaborate mechanics, emotional drama, or lengthy progression systems, it aims to entertain through strange situations, unusual narration, and a style of humor that often feels intentionally awkward in ways that become part of its identity. The game immediately establishes that it operates on unconventional logic. Players are not stepping into a serious story filled with complex choices or deep worldbuilding. Instead, The Citizen leans heavily into satire and surreal comedy, creating an experience that feels almost like an interactive joke stretched into a short narrative adventure. The writing constantly plays with expectations, often presenting situations that seem ordinary at first before steering them toward something strange or unexpectedly ridiculous. Narration becomes the centerpiece of the entire experience. Rather than functioning purely as a guide, the narrator actively shapes tone, pacing, and much of the game's personality. Delivery and timing become critical components of how the humor works. Many of the strongest moments come not from what happens directly on screen but from how events are framed and described. The narrator often feels like an active participant rather than a passive observer, helping create an atmosphere where absurdity feels completely natural. One of The Citizen's most interesting strengths comes from how committed it remains to its comedic style. Some comedy-focused games struggle because they constantly chase larger ideas or stretch jokes beyond their limits. The Citizen avoids that problem by staying remarkably focused. It understands the type of experience it wants to create and commits fully to that direction without unnecessary distractions. Gameplay remains intentionally simple. Players move through environments, interact with objects, and continue progressing through a relatively linear structure. There are no demanding mechanical systems competing for attention. Exploration exists primarily to support jokes, observations, and strange interactions rather than functioning as a core challenge. This minimalist approach works because the game never pretends complexity is its primary goal. The visual presentation follows a similar philosophy. Environments remain functional and straightforward without overwhelming players through unnecessary detail. The focus remains on atmosphere and comedic timing rather than technical spectacle. The simplicity ultimately helps strengthen immersion because nothing distracts from the game's strongest qualities. Humor itself will naturally determine whether players connect with the experience. The Citizen relies heavily on absurdism, awkward delivery, and self-awareness rather than traditional joke structures. It occasionally feels almost experimental in how intentionally strange certain moments become. Players who appreciate surreal comedy and unconventional writing styles will likely connect more strongly with what the game offers. One area where the game demonstrates impressive restraint involves its runtime. The Citizen remains relatively short, and that decision works heavily in its favor. Comedy often becomes weaker when stretched beyond its strongest ideas. By remaining compact, the experience maintains momentum without exhausting its central concept. The game delivers its ideas efficiently and avoids unnecessary filler that might weaken its impact. The self-aware tone also contributes heavily to its personality. The Citizen frequently feels like a game openly acknowledging both storytelling conventions and player expectations. It occasionally feels like satire aimed not only at narrative design but gaming itself. That awareness creates moments where the experience becomes more memorable than its simple structure initially suggests. Of course, the design choices naturally create limitations. Players looking for deep narrative complexity, larger gameplay systems, or long-term progression may find the experience too lightweight. The humor style also remains highly specific. Not every player will connect equally with intentionally awkward or surreal comedy. The Citizen succeeds by targeting a very specific type of experience rather than attempting broad appeal. What ultimately makes the game stand out is confidence. SkyBrave and Edvard Stokstad never appear interested in turning The Citizen into something larger than intended. The experience remains committed to strange humor and minimalist interaction from beginning to end. That focus helps create a game that feels distinctive despite its simplicity. The Citizen may not reinvent narrative gaming or offer mechanical depth comparable to larger productions, but it succeeds because it understands the value of personality. Its unusual writing, surreal atmosphere, and willingness to embrace absurdity create something memorable despite its short runtime. Players willing to embrace its unconventional approach will discover a brief but entertaining experience that values creativity and comedic identity above complexity. It remains strange, occasionally ridiculous, and ultimately more memorable than its modest structure might initially suggest. Rating: 7/10

gugugaga. truecitizenexperience. au uaua

I learned how to do my taxes and got a fair score 10/10

this was a game

Truly makes you feel like a citizen.

I for sure became [The Citizen]