ðə ɡˈeɪm pɹəvˈaɪdz mˈɪʃənz tə ðə plˈeɪɚz, dᵻvˈaɪdᵻd ˌɪntʊ fˈaɪv kˈæɾɪɡɚɹiz: ˈʌpkiːp, wˌɪtʃ ɪnvˈɑːlvz tˈeɪkɪŋ kəntɹˈoʊl ʌv stˈæf tə kˈiːp ðə pˈɑːɹk ɪn wˈɜːkɪŋ ˈɔːɹdɚ; bˈɪld, wˌɪtʃ ɪnvˈɑːlvz bˈɪldɪŋ ænd ʌpɡɹˈeɪdɪŋ ɐtɹˈækʃənz; ɡˈeɪmz, wˌɪtʃ ɪnvˈɑːlvz plˈeɪɪŋ ænd wˈɪnɪŋ ɡˈeɪmz θɹuːˈaʊt ðə pˈɑːɹk; bˈɪznəs, wˌɪtʃ ɪnvˈɑːlvz mˈænɪdʒɪŋ ðə pˈɑːɹks faɪnˈænsᵻz, ˌædvɚtˈaɪzmənt kæmpˈeɪnz, ɛtsˈɛtɹə.; ænd ɡˈɛsts, wˌɪtʃ ɪnvˈɑːlvz ˌɪntɚɹˈæktɪŋ wɪððə pˈɑːɹks ɡˈɛsts.
The game provides missions to the players, divided into five categories: upkeep, which involves taking control of staff to keep the park in working order; build, which involves building and upgrading attractions; games, which involves playing and winning games throughout the park; business, which involves managing the park's finances, advertisement campaigns, etc.; and guests, which involves interacting with the park's guests.