Escape Rosecliff Island is a hidden object game with suspense/horror elements. In the game, players assume the role of the main character that gets stuck in a remote island after a storm. To get out of the island, players must go to different locations and look for items. Aside from the hidden object games, players are also presented with different puzzles that can help them find clues on how to escape the island.
On each hidden object game, a list of items to find is located at the bottom of the screen. There are 25 locations, both indoor and outdoor, to unlock. In some cases, objects that must be found are displayed as words. Also, some objects must be combined in order to come up with the right item. All in all, there are over 2000 hidden objects spread throughout the different locations.
Escape Rosecliff Island can be played in two modes – Relaxed and Timed. In relaxed mode, players can take their time when looking for items. In Timed mode, players must race against the clock to complete the hidden object list. When users are cannot find an item on the screen, a hint button can be used. However, points are deducted from the total score whenever a hint is used.