From the preface:
Gaslight Fantasy
The world of Engines & Empires remains similar in most respects to the generic fantasy setting implied by the Labyrinth Lord rules. The game is still about heroic warriors and magicians who delve into monster-infested labyrinths in the hope of recovering fabulous treasures. Elves, dwarves, and other folk aid their human allies in battles against goblins, dragons, and the forces of Chaos. In other words E&E is still a game of heroic fantasy! But it is not low fantasy. Here you'll find none of the trappings of a barbaric and larcenous swords-and-sorcery story. Rather, this game distinctly allied with high fantasy, albeit set in a time and place which more resembles Europe during the Victorian period of our world's Nineteenth Century.