Empires of the Undergrowth is a fast-paced ant colony strategy game. Underground you will excavate your nest, constructing tunnels and chambers to store resources and raise your brood, before venturing above ground. Here, your ants will claim territory, gather resources and overwhelm fearsome creatures. Nest layout, army size and composition along with knowing when to attack or retreat are key to securing victory for your colony of ants.

The fully-voiced campaign in Empires of the Undergrowth has two elements to it, first is the formicarium where you start with just a queen and a few workers. As the game progresses, you will have to withstand the experiments of a mad scientist, growing stronger and genetically adapting your ants to survive his machinations. The Formicarium also acts as a hub in which you can launch scenario missions, which allow you to take control of a variety of ant colonies. To unlock the next tier of scenarios you must withstand the aforementioned experiments.

Scenarios are narrated from the perspective of a documentary film maker studying the ants, who offers intelligent insight into the goings-on of the colony and the undergrowth beyond.

The scenarios are presented in "tiers" with five planned for the full release (three are currently live). Each tier's missions are presented in a nature documentary style, and vies to be scientifically accurate whilst also being fun to play. Each tier allows you to play as a different species of ant, each with their own differences and play style. The settings for each level also vary, to reflect the environment.