The game revolves around leading a team of scientists to conduct genetic experiments on local wildlife on the ocean floor. To accomplish these goals, players will have to manage not only the physical health of their populace, but their sanity as well.

Like many colony sims, gameplay in Surviving the Abyss revolves around planning and building infrastructure that will allow the population to manufacture, research, and have life suppport. Players can advance through a tech tree to unlock new buildings, and even send out exploration submarines to secure resources that would otherwise be out of reach of your base.

As its deep sea trappings would imply, Surviving the Abyss also has hints of cosmic horror to it, as the darkness is hiding something sinister. Players will have to ensure that there is enough light for the sake of the sanity and survival of their base.