Players guide a cursor around fixed environments from a third-person perspective, examining objects, opening passages, collecting items, and questioning characters. Jennifer can also run and hide when danger appears, but she has no standard attack system.

The mansion is explored through connected scenes and investigation sequences. Important discoveries, item use, dialogue choices, and survival events can alter the route and ending, encouraging repeated playthroughs.

Search every room carefully and examine objects more than once; important clues are often easy to miss. Keep track of items that may open alternate routes and talk to characters before leaving an area.

When Scissorman appears, prioritize escape over investigation. Use safe rooms or hiding places when available, and avoid wasting time retracing routes during a pursuit. Multiple endings depend on discoveries and survival events, so replaying with different choices is useful.