GameWiki
GET YOUR BEARINGS
About Sunless Skies: Sovereign Edition
Sunless Skies: Sovereign Edition puts you in command of a Victorian steam locomotive drifting through a hostile, star‑filled sky. You trade, explore, fight and survive while uncovering a deep, intertwining story that draws on classic speculative fiction.
The edition bundles every post‑launch addition—new officers, engines, enemies, a reworked region, Full Steam mode and a horn—plus dozens of quality‑of‑life tweaks. Play solo, build a lineage of captains, and decide whether to aid empire, rebels, or stay neutral.
01 / THE GUIDE
Create Your Past
When you begin, you choose a background for your captain—urchin, priest, revolutionary, and more. Each time your character advances you add another facet, such as a lost love or a family scandal, shaping how the world perceives you.
These choices are reflected in the story and affect the inheritance left for future captains, giving each playthrough a unique personal history that unfolds as you travel.
- Mix contrasting facets to generate narrative tension later.
- Use background details to guide role‑playing choices during officer quests.
02 / THE GUIDE
Upgrade Your Locomotive
Your engine is the only barrier between you and sky dangers. You can install exotic weapons like the Pneumatic Mining Array or the rapid‑fire Brassraven, and craft items such as the Wrath of Heaven from defeated foes.
When you have enough funds you may purchase an entirely new vessel, for example the Pellinore‑class Trader or the sleek Medea‑class Destroyer, each offering different capacities and combat styles.
- Balance weapon upgrades with fuel capacity to avoid being stranded.
- Try different classes to see which matches your narrative goals.
03 / THE GUIDE
Combat and Full Steam Mode
Real‑time combat pits you against pirates, imperial warships, and nightmarish creatures like the Undeparted or Chorister‑bees. You can chase foes or flee using Full Steam mode, which accelerates travel for desperate escapes or aggressive pursuits.
Each enemy faction behaves uniquely, allowing you to learn patterns and plan engagements, whether you prefer direct firepower or evasive tactics.
- Activate Full Steam mode early to create distance against overwhelming numbers.
- Observe enemy behavior early to anticipate attack patterns.
04 / THE GUIDE
Manage Crew Morale and Survival
Your crew’s morale, hunger, and nightmares are tracked alongside the captain’s own sanity. You must balance fuel and supplies against the desire to explore, trade, or seek riches, lest starvation, mutiny or terror take hold.
Officers each bring quests and upgrades, but their presence does not guarantee safety; the dark sky can still erode morale if basic needs are neglected.
- Prioritise fuel reserves before long excursions to reduce panic.
- Allocate time to resolve officer quests as you travel.
05 / THE GUIDE
World Setting and Factions
The game spans four hand‑drawn regions: celestial wilderness, impossible industrial empire, pagan midnight expanse, and the domain of the dead. The Victorian Empire, led by the Empress on the Throne of Hours, competes with rebels seeking to topple London’s rule.
Your choices influence which side gains power, as the Judgements—vast intelligences—are dying, leaving their thrones empty and the balance fragile.
- Explore each region to discover unique story threads before committing to a faction.
- Consider the long‑term impact of supporting either empire or rebels on future captains.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion