The player explores Innsmouth from a first-person viewpoint, moving through buildings and underground areas while trying to locate a route through the town and survive encounters with hostile creatures. Rooms and corridors are presented as compact exploration spaces rather than as a continuous open world.

Progress depends on finding the correct paths, avoiding or dealing with enemies, and reaching objectives before danger overwhelms the player. The game’s stereoscopic display creates depth between nearby walls, doorways, and threats, but the restricted field of view can make orientation difficult.

Map each area mentally and check side passages before committing to a route. Move cautiously around corners, watch for enemy movement, and avoid wasting time in dead ends. Because visibility is limited, learning the layout after an unsuccessful attempt is an important part of progression.