As a player, you become Sacabambaspis and live each day with your fellow Sacabambaspis, growing and evolving by swimming in the sea and eating plankton. Progress through the story with your companions in Sacabambaspis, and see what happens in the end.
Players can freely navigate the expansive aquatic environment, swimming through the seas and witnessing the wonders of the underwater world. Reviewers praise the sense of freedom and immersion this exploration provides, with one player describing it as a "very casual and entertaining" experience that allows them to "daydream" within the serene setting.
By consuming plankton and collecting evolution points, players can unlock a variety of evolutions for their Sacabambaspis, such as growing horns. Reviewers highlight the satisfaction of customizing and strengthening their creature, with one player noting that mastering the unique skills and abilities is "extremely satisfying."
The game's online multiplayer mode allows up to 10 players to explore and survive together. Reviewers emphasize the joy of playing with friends, where they can interact with each other's Sacabambaspis, provide support, and work towards shared objectives. One player recounts spending an enjoyable evening with friends "casually enjoying this game" and unlocking all the evolutions together.
While the core gameplay focuses on exploration and evolution, the game also presents survival challenges. Players must contend with predators and other dangers in the sea, requiring them to develop evasive tactics and strategies. One reviewer notes the "survival of the fittest" aspect, where they "probably have no choice but to run away" from threats.
Surprisingly, many reviewers praise the game's narrative and storytelling, which explores the life and fate of the Sacabambaspis species. Several players describe the emotional journey as a "masterpiece" and an experience that "moved [them] to tears," with one reviewer stating that the "cinematic conclusion made [them] feel so badass like no game has ever before."