Scarab is an action strategy game, with the major emphasis being on strategy elements. Scarab was designed to be played primarily with a joystick, and it is strongly recommended. The Scarab combat environment revolves around the dual struggle for territorial control or death to your opponents. You represent the Gods of the Underworld, disembodied spirits which bring to life the different combat robots. While your spirit has vast powers the mechanical bodies you inhabit are designed solely for raw combat.

When you play the game you get 3 incarnations. At each incarnation you have your choice of which robot you wish to control, Anubis, Horus, or Sekhmet. After your third life is lost your spirit is released to haunt the world that you can only vaguely perceive. There are 2 ways to win the game; control the battlefield through power producing towers, or to kill all of the opposing robots 3 times each.