Exploring the mysteries of Outer Wilds is an unforgettable experience filled with time loops, ancient ruins, and environmental puzzles. One of the most fascinating and challenging locations in the game is the Sunless City, hidden beneath the shifting sands of the Hourglass Twins. For players looking to revisit this area multiple times, knowing the shortcut to the Sunless City can save valuable time during each 22-minute loop. Mastering this shortcut not only improves gameplay efficiency but also deepens the player’s understanding of the complex design and secrets of the Nomai civilization.
Locating the Sunless City on Ember Twin
Understanding the Sand Mechanics
The Sunless City is buried beneath the surface of Ember Twin and becomes harder to reach as time progresses due to rising sand from Ash Twin. The sand steadily fills underground caves, making early exploration crucial. Since Ember Twin becomes increasingly inaccessible during each loop, players must act quickly if they want to uncover the full story and use the shortcut efficiently.
Main Entrance vs. Shortcut
The main entrance to the Sunless City is located at the High Energy Lab trailhead, where the player descends a winding cave system. However, using the shortcut allows access without having to traverse dangerous collapsing tunnels or getting lost in the maze-like structure of Ember Twin’s caves. This alternate route is particularly useful for players focusing on completing specific objectives or gathering lore within the limited time window.
Reaching the Shortcut: Step-by-Step Directions
Landing on Ember Twin
To begin, land your ship on Ember Twin. The shortcut to the Sunless City is located near the surface and should be accessed early in the loop. Aim to land close to the narrow canyon near the Gravity Cannon or the Chert’s Campfire area. Keep an eye on your fuel and oxygen levels, as the caves require some maneuvering and jetpack control.
Find the Anglerfish Fossil Cave
One of the quickest ways into the Sunless City is through the Anglerfish Fossil Cave. This area is a hidden tunnel system located in the northwest region of Ember Twin. As soon as you land, make your way to this cave by heading toward the fossil-shaped hole in the sand-covered canyon wall. A narrow opening leads inside, where players can navigate toward the fossil chamber, then drop down through a concealed tunnel beneath the fossil’s lower jawbone.
Accessing the Shortcut Tunnel
Inside the Anglerfish Fossil Cave, look for a Nomai tunnel system marked with gravity crystals and Nomai symbols. As you descend, the sand level should still be low enough to reveal an open tunnel that leads directly into the Sunless City. Follow the path downward, watching for crumbling pathways and gravity switches. Eventually, you’ll reach the main chamber of the Sunless City without needing to pass through the more convoluted central cave entrances.
Using the Shortcut Effectively
Timing is Crucial
Since the Hourglass Twins operate on a shared sand transfer mechanic, time is a critical factor. The shortcut is only accessible within the first 57 minutes of the time loop. After that, sand will begin to obscure or completely block the passageways leading to the Sunless City. It’s recommended to head for the shortcut immediately after waking up in the game’s starting location to make full use of the available time.
Avoiding Collapse Hazards
The underground structure is sensitive to movement and environmental instability. If you’re too late or make a wrong move, collapsing tunnels and blocked paths can trap you, forcing a restart. The shortcut route minimizes this risk because it bypasses some of the more volatile segments of the city’s main tunnels. Practice jetpack precision and read the environmental clues, such as warning signs and Nomai texts, to stay safe.
Reopening the Shortcut
One of the game’s clever mechanics is persistent knowledge. Once you discover the shortcut, your understanding carries over into every new loop. There’s no need to activate or unlock the shortcut repeatedly; instead, remember the physical path and prioritize it on future runs. This allows players to focus on gathering clues from different districts within the city rather than wasting time navigating the entrances repeatedly.
What You Can Explore with the Shortcut
Districts of the Sunless City
The Sunless City is divided into several themed districts, each containing valuable lore and puzzle elements that connect to the Nomai’s research and goals. Once inside, players can quickly explore:
- Anglerfish Overlook District Home to fossil studies and Nomai behavioral research on dangerous creatures.
- Eye Shrine District A mysterious and spiritual area focused on the Eye of the Universe.
- High Energy Lab Trailhead A path that leads deeper into Nomai scientific experiments related to warp technology.
- Stepping Stone Cave Filled with platforming challenges and subtle environmental hazards.
Using the shortcut means you can reach these sections faster and with more oxygen and fuel available for exploration. This improves your chances of uncovering complete storylines in a single loop.
Connecting to Other Locations
From within the Sunless City, you’ll also find leads to other major discoveries in the game, such as the Ash Twin Project, the Warp Core experiments, and information about the Eye of the Universe. Many of these connections are time-sensitive, and utilizing the shortcut helps ensure you reach the required locations while they are still accessible.
Why the Shortcut Matters
Reducing Repetition
Outer Wilds emphasizes repetition with variation. While the time loop mechanic is essential to the game’s design, repeating long and tedious navigation can become frustrating. The shortcut helps reduce backtracking, allowing players to spend more time on story progression and less time retracing steps.
Efficient Lore Collection
With faster access to key story zones, players can collect logs, read Nomai conversations, and connect clues across multiple planets in less time. This leads to faster overall progression and helps unravel the broader mysteries of the solar system more efficiently.
Ideal for Speedrunners
For players attempting to speedrun Outer Wilds or complete specific achievements in one loop, the shortcut is a vital tool. It allows precise routing and saves crucial minutes that would otherwise be spent navigating the long way into the Sunless City. Many players who aim to complete the game without dying or within strict time limits rely on this path to shave off precious seconds.
Outer Wilds is a beautifully crafted game where knowledge is the true currency of progress. The Sunless City is one of its most memorable locations, rich in history, atmosphere, and narrative significance. Mastering the shortcut to this hidden metropolis not only improves your gameplay efficiency but also reveals just how intricately designed the game world is. Whether you’re a first-time explorer or returning to uncover missed secrets, understanding and using the Sunless City shortcut will deepen your appreciation for the game’s genius structure and storytelling.