In Populous, the player takes on the role of a god, guiding their people through direction, manipulation, and divine intervention. Players can shape the landscape, develop their civilization, and increase their divine power, aiming to lead their followers to defeat an enemy force controlled by a rival god. The game is viewed from an isometric perspective on a “tabletop” displaying command icons, a world map, and a mana meter.

The game features 500 levels, each representing a land area inhabited by the player’s and enemy’s followers. To progress, players must grow their followers to overcome the enemy using divine powers. Landscapes vary – desert, lava, snow, and ice – affecting the development of both sides.

Basic powers include raising or lowering land to build or hinder the enemy. More houses create more followers, increasing mana, which unlocks advanced powers like earthquakes, floods, swamps, volcanoes, or transforming followers into powerful knights.