Exploring the mysteries of Outer Wilds can be both awe-inspiring and perplexing. One of the most enigmatic and essential locations in the game is the Sunless City, a hidden subterranean area located deep within the Ember Twin. Getting to the Sunless City can be tricky due to shifting sands, time constraints, and maze-like tunnels. Players often ask: what’s the quickest way to the Sunless City? If you’re looking to reach this vital location with efficiency, understanding its layout and the ideal route is key. Here’s a detailed guide to reaching the Sunless City in the fastest way possible, avoiding unnecessary detours while enhancing your knowledge of this fascinating part of the game.
Understanding the Sunless City
What Is the Sunless City?
The Sunless City is an ancient Nomai underground settlement hidden within the Ember Twin, one of the two planets that make up the Hourglass Twins. This area contains crucial lore, including information about the Ash Twin Project, the Eye of the Universe, and various other narrative threads central to Outer Wilds. However, the Sunless City is not easy to access and becomes increasingly difficult to explore the longer you wait due to the encroaching sand from the Ash Twin.
Why Time Matters
Time is a critical element in reaching the Sunless City. As soon as the loop begins, sand starts flowing from the Ash Twin into the Ember Twin, gradually filling the caverns below. The longer you delay, the less of the Sunless City you can explore. That’s why finding the quickest route is essential for making the most of your time in each loop.
Preparing for the Journey
Essential Equipment
Before setting off, make sure you have:
- Your spacesuit fully equipped
- The Scout Launcher ready
- A good understanding of your ship’s controls
- The Signalscope in case you need to identify Nomai tech
Additionally, some prior experience navigating caves and using the Scout to light dark areas will help immensely. Having already visited the High Energy Lab or the Tower of Quantum Knowledge can provide helpful context, but it’s not strictly necessary for reaching the Sunless City.
Landing on Ember Twin
To save time, aim to land your ship on the Ember Twin as close as possible to the entrance to the cave system leading to the Sunless City. The best entry point is the cave system found near the southwest region of the equator, specifically the High Energy Lab Ruins entrance, which will lead you downward into the correct tunnel network.
Quickest Route to the Sunless City
Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the fastest way to enter the Sunless City before it fills with sand:
- Step 1: Start the loop and immediately set course for Ember Twin. Time is crucial, so avoid distractions.
- Step 2: Land your ship near the cave opening just south of the equator, close to the Sunless City’s southern entrance.
- Step 3: Exit your ship quickly, locate the narrow cave mouth, and begin your descent. You may need to use your flashlight or Scout Launcher to illuminate darker sections.
- Step 4: Proceed through the twisting cave corridors. Ignore side tunnels and focus on descending deeper. The most direct tunnel will bypass the winding maze that confuses new players.
- Step 5: Eventually, you’ll come to a Nomai door with symbols that match the southern path of the Sunless City. Open it and enter the city center before the sand overtakes the lower levels.
Timing the Descent
Ideally, you want to arrive at the Sunless City no later than 5 minutes after the loop begins. This gives you the most time to explore without dealing with the increasingly hazardous sand levels. If you’re more than 7-8 minutes into the loop, many lower tunnels will already be filled, making full exploration impossible.
Alternative Routes and Entry Points
Southern Entrance
As mentioned above, the southern entrance is the most direct and reliable route. It leads directly to the city’s core and allows you to access multiple paths such as the Eye Shrine, Anglerfish Fossil, and the Quantum Grove.
Western and Northern Entrances
There are other entry points into the Sunless City located in the western and northern parts of the Ember Twin. However, these are more complex, sometimes blocked by sand, or difficult to find under time pressure. These are better used once you’re familiar with the layout and looking to explore specific chambers after gathering more knowledge in the game.
Tips for Navigating the Sunless City
Use the Scout for Light and Mapping
The city can be quite dark and labyrinthine. Use your Scout to light up corridors ahead of you and mark your path. It’s easy to get turned around, and backtracking wastes precious time before the sand floods in.
Activate Gravity Crystals for Easier Movement
Some areas of the city are equipped with Nomai gravity crystals. These can help you traverse ceilings and walls quickly, making exploration smoother. Look for these paths to bypass sand-covered terrain.
Listen for Clues
Use your Signalscope to pick up Nomai transmission signals. These can guide you to active story hubs within the city and point you toward new discoveries related to the Eye of the Universe and Nomai experiments.
Prioritize First
On your first few visits, prioritize areas that are lowest in elevation, such as the Anglerfish Fossil and the Eye Shrine. These are the first to get filled with sand. Save higher elevation zones for later loops once you’ve fully mapped the layout.
Why Visit the Sunless City?
Critical Lore Hub
The Sunless City holds major plot revelations about the Nomai, their failed experiments, and their deep desire to find the Eye of the Universe. Visiting this location is crucial for progressing in Outer Wilds and understanding the true stakes of the time loop you’re stuck in.
Unique Visuals and Level Design
The underground structure, paired with the tension of rising sand, makes the Sunless City one of the most atmospheric locations in the game. The layout reflects the ingenuity of the Nomai and immerses you in the fragile remnants of a once-thriving society.
Unlocking Puzzle Solutions
Information found in the Sunless City helps solve puzzles located on other planets like the Ash Twin, Brittle Hollow, and even the White Hole Station. You’ll often find text logs, diagrams, and experimental results that directly connect to other mysteries in the game.
Finding the quickest way to the Sunless City is not just about saving time it’s about unlocking one of the most lore-rich and narratively compelling parts of Outer Wilds. Mastering the southern entrance, optimizing your landing and descent, and planning your route will ensure you get the most out of every loop. With practice and patience, reaching and exploring the Sunless City becomes a highlight of the game’s exploration loop, offering insight, challenge, and emotional weight that ties directly into the game’s profound conclusion.