TerraTech is a construction game where you create vehicles to explore the environment, find resources and craft upgrades. It includes a modular building element where your decisions affect the performance of what you make. Each building block has its own function that can be combined in various ways. Wheel blocks enable forward motion, wing blocks generate lift for flying and other blocks provide additional functions to the tech they are attached to.

Along with your vehicle, you can also construct a base for storage of resources and to craft different elements. This means you need to construct each element of this process, siloes, conveyors and factories. This can get quite complex but is satisfying when you automate a process.

You can play the game in different modes. The main campaign offers a loose storyline in which you are an interplanetary prospector tasked to gather resources for famished Earth. Sumo mode is a player versus player battle in an arena. Gauntlet is an obstacle course challenge. Test lab lets you play with adding experimental blocks that aren't yet included in the official release.