Airborne Empire is a city planning RPG built around floating metropolises suspended in the sky. The development team behind it is The Wandering Band LLC, with Stray Fawn Publishing handling the release. The game arrived on Steam Early Access and immediately drew attention from players who praised its ambition, its unusual skybound setting, and the sense that a new kind of urban sim is possible above the clouds. The design leans into strategic planning and engineering, inviting players to experiment with how districts are laid out, how power and water networks run through air frames, and how to attract citizens to a city that floats on the thermals. Early feedback highlighted depth in the simulation, a clear passion for worldbuilding, and a willingness to push beyond conventional city-building tropes.
A teaser trailer demonstrates the core concept, showing how aerial districts are stacked, how lift and traction keep blocks aloft, and how the player steers airflow to optimize throughput. It hints at a loop where expansion, refinement, and defense intersect, and it suggests a level of freedom that encourages players to blend form with function when shaping their airborne domains.
In the game the main task is to build floating cities in the sky and to manage them as living systems. Players tune lift to keep districts airborne, balance to prevent tipping, and optimize traction to ensure stable movement and safe landings. The city layout rewards clever zoning and resilient networks because every district depends on a fragile, air powered infrastructure. Resource flow, housing, services, and commerce must be coordinated to maintain growth without overwhelming the airframe. The physics are a constant factor, making careful design essential and turning air currents into a key ally rather than a stubborn obstacle.
Skies are not always peaceful. Sky pirates and other threats interrupt the calm rhythm of urban life, and players must defend their city and its hinterlands from devastating raids. Defense comes from thoughtful placement of defenses, efficient patrol routes, and the smart use of power and armor. The challenge extends beyond combat as raiders disrupt supply lines and trade, compelling planners to rethink layouts and protect critical corridors while maintaining a thriving economy.
Airborne Empire stacks a long list of features that appeal to fans of exploration and strategy. The world is large and open, filled with diverse biomes that include floating jungles, ice membranes, and desert cloudscapes. Each biome presents its own physics quirks, resources, and aesthetic opportunities. The game also introduces memorable characters who offer quests, lore, and incentives to explore hidden corners. Secret discoveries are scattered behind environmental puzzles, inviting players to experiment with architecture and governance while uncovering the story of their airborne realm.
Pricing and availability are handled through Steam, with regional options that reflect local currencies. The store typically offers a launch discount or periodic sales, making Airborne Empire accessible to players in both Canada and the United States who enjoy indie strategy experiences. Players should check the Steam store for current pricing, promotions, and regional promotions that might apply to their location.