Overview
The world of Solarpunk consists of a network of floating islands suspended in the sky. These islands serve as the game's map, with each one offering different resources, terrain, and opportunities for building. Players travel between islands using their airship, discovering new locations and expanding their reach as they progress.
World structure
Islands vary in size and composition. Some are small outcrops with a few resource nodes, while others are large enough to support full bases, farms, and automated production lines. The floating island design means that vertical space matters; players build upward and outward on the available terrain rather than across a flat landscape.
Each island contains different distributions of resources. Brown rocks (sandstone) yield Sand, green rocks with moss yield Stone, and small iron outcrops provide Iron. This encourages players to visit multiple islands to gather the full range of materials they need.
Exploration
Exploring new islands is a core part of progression. The Improved Airship Dock, when powered, lets players target and boost toward distant islands. Without the dock upgrade, reaching far-off islands requires manual flight with the solar sail, which takes longer and is affected by wind conditions.
Islands may contain structures and machines left behind that need repair, such as the Merchant Platform, Vending Machine, and Fabricator. Repairing these unlocks new functionality, including access to airship upgrades and cosmetic items.
Building on islands
Players can build on most island surfaces. The foundation-based building system allows for multi-story structures on any suitable terrain. The placement indicator shows blue for valid positions and orange for invalid ones, helping players find buildable spots.
Because islands have limited surface area, efficient use of space becomes important as bases grow. Players often spread production across multiple islands, connecting them through regular airship trips or by setting up automation on remote islands to run independently.