Comparison

A Study in Steampunk vs Empyrean

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

A Study in Steampunk

Embark on an epic text-based mystery novel set in a steampunk world. Your choices shape the narrative, allowing you to explore themes of science, sorcery, romance, and espionage. Will you defend the Empire or plot its downfall?

Highlights
  • Text-based interactive novel
  • Branching narrative choices
  • Steampunk and sorcery themes
  • Romance options
  • Multiple character endings
  • Inspired by classic literature
Features
Read full description

Steam-powered mechs meet forbidden sorcery! Inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Jekyll & Hyde, and Jack the Ripper, "A Study in Steampunk: Choice by Gaslight" is an epic 277,000-word interactive mystery novel by Heather Albano, co-author of "Choice of Broadsides," "Choice of Zombies," and "Choice of Romance: Affairs of the Court." Your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based--without graphics or sound effects--and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. The game is afoot! In a world of gaslit streets, mysteriously long-lived foreign nobles, and master criminals, will you defend your Empire from spies or overthrow it from within? Advocate science and reason or learn forbidden magic? Romance men, women, both, or neither? End as a healer, a freedom fighter, a vigilante, or a traitor? The fate of the Empire is in your hands!

About

Empyrean

Engage in aerial combat in a dieselpunk world to overthrow a tyrannical regime. This text-based interactive novel lets you pilot a secret experimental fighter, making choices that shape the narrative and determine the fate of your city and the mysterious world below.

Highlights
  • Pilot experimental fighter plane
  • Text-based interactive novel
  • Choice-driven narrative
  • Explore dieselpunk world
  • Romance options
  • Conceal identity
  • Engage in aerial dogfights
Features
Read full description

Overthrow your father's regime with his own secret experimental fighter plane! Dogfight dieselpunk aeros to save your city and the iron jungle beneath it. "Empyrean" is an interactive "flying ace" novel by Kyle Marquis where your choices control the story. It's entirely text-based—325,000 words, without graphics or sound effects—and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination. Far below the city of Actorius lies the mysterious world of the Deep Tech--creatures and plants both living and mechanical, and powered by unknown forces. Your father harvests the tech to create experimental airships, and the Revolution that fights his every move races to do the same. Your father's aero, the Empyrean, is governed by Deep Tech dynamics not even he understands. Only you can fly the Empyrean, match wits against ruthless oligarchs and devious spies, and take to the sky to fight your city’s enemies. But who is the enemy? The Revolution, or the government they say is corrupt? Foreign invaders, or the Deep Tech itself? In a world of gleaming towers and downtrodden laborers, streaking aeros and deadly rooftop duels, when you risk it all, the sky's the limit! • Fly the Empyrean, the greatest aircraft ever designed • Play as a man, a woman, or nonbinary; romance men or women. • Explore the Deep Tech, a savage mechanical ecosystem below your city. • Conceal your true identity from your family and the secret police. • Befriend Wesh, a denizen of the Deep Tech who is both human and machine • Cross swords in top secret research facilities, elegant cafés, and even atop airplanes in flight! • Use the Deep Tech and your political authority to improve and protect your city • Side with the revolution, the government, foreign powers, or the Deep Tech itself!

Screenshots

A Study in Steampunk4 screens
Empyrean4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: A Study in Steampunk at 88% against Empyrean's 70%. A Study in Steampunk also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (122 vs 25). Empyrean's advantage is monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

A Study in Steampunk costs $6.99 and Empyrean $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

A Study in Steampunk holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 122 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of A Study in Steampunk's written reviews are positive against 70% of Empyrean's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A Study in Steampunk ships an update every 24 months, Empyrean every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
A Study in Steampunk versus Empyrean: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA Study in SteampunkEmpyrean
Price$6.99$6.99
Rating4.7 (122 ratings) — better4.5 (25 ratings)
Positive reviews88.4% of reviews — better69.6% of reviews
Number of ratings122 — better25
Update frequencyEvery 24 monthsEvery 16 months — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB32 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperHosted Games LLCChoice of Games LLC

Customer experience

A Study in Steampunk

All ratings122 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.7%
Written reviews69 reviews
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative7.2%

Empyrean

All ratings25 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive69.6%
Neutral8.7%
Negative21.7%

Bugs and requests

A Study in Steampunk

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Display options not functioning properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to play as a female character
  • Update description to include gender limitation
  • Sequel/prequel in the same universe
  • Option to ride in a steampunk Mecha

Empyrean

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

A Study in Steampunk

No in-app purchases

None

Empyrean

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is A Study in Steampunk free?
A Study in Steampunk costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Empyrean free?
Empyrean costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, A Study in Steampunk or Empyrean?
A Study in Steampunk is rated higher. A Study in Steampunk averages 4.7 out of 5 from 122 ratings, while Empyrean averages 4.5 from 25 ratings.
Do A Study in Steampunk or Empyrean have ads?
Both A Study in Steampunk and Empyrean show ads.
Which is updated more often, A Study in Steampunk or Empyrean?
A Study in Steampunk ships an update every 24 months, and Empyrean every 16 months. Most recently, A Study in Steampunk was updated on October 21, 2026 and Empyrean on October 24, 2026.

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