Game Modes

Game Modes in Slime Rancher refer to the different ways to play the game. Currently, there are 3 game modes, plus the Slime Rancher Demo available on Steam.

Demo Version
The Slime Rancher Demo version is a free version of the game that was released with Update 1.0.0. It has all the features of the standard game including endgame content, but the gameplay is limited to 60 real-time minutes, and any saved games cannot be accessed once created until you buy the full game.

Adventure Mode
Adventure Mode is the standard game mode that has full access to the game.

StarMail functions as normal, introducing various NPCs in Days 1-6. Casey regularly contacts Beatrix after certain milestones have been completed in the game. Hobson notes are present around the world, giving some background lore. Progressing through the game by reading notes and Casey StarMail will eventually trigger and unlock the credits sequence.

Plort values rise and fall on a day-to-day basis, partially influenced by how many you've sold previously.

Getting knocked out advances time for 12+ hours and the player respawns back at The Ranch. If knocked out by The Slime Sea, a select few items from the inventory is found at the beach of The Docks.

7Zee Rewards Club unlocks at day 7, allowing for exclusive rewards for more long-term ranching.

Casual Mode
Casual Mode  is a modified version of Adventure Mode where The Tarr does not appear in any form, due to Largo Slimes no longer eating plorts to induce the transformation into a Tarr in this mode. Feral Slimes are also less aggressive, and will not perform their Area of Effect buttstomp.

Because Tarr does not spawn in Casual Mode, Tarr related Achievements cannot be achieved in this mode, and its Slimepedia entry is already unlocked.

The two Tarr related Achievements are:
 * Once Bitten, Twice...Bitten (Hold onto a Tarr for 15 seconds)
 * Best of the Worst (Put a Tarr on the #1 Slime Stage)

Rush Mode
Rush Mode is a special game mode where the player has to earn as much as possible using any means at their disposal.

Beatrix’s House is uninteractable making starmail, the 7Zee Rewards Club, and sleeping unavailable. Hobson notes are not present, and the game starts the player off with 500 instead of 250. All ranch expansions are unlocked except for Ogden’s Retreat and Mochi’s Manor which are completely unaccessible as the teleporters are gone. Despite the lab being uninteractable, you start Rush Mode with teleporters, warp depots, a market link, hydro turrets, and a med station. All personal upgrades are unlocked and the Vacpac uses the model that Mochi Miles gives you which has a timer.r.

NPCs offer Gidled Ginger and extra time in the Range Exchange for successful trades, and the game tracks how much money is earned via Plorts and how much money has been spent on Plot costs and Upgrades to Beatrix. Additionally, Plorts do not change in value on a day-to-day basis, going by their default value instead.

Getting knocked out does not advance time by 12+ hours. Instead, it only advances the clock 1 hour but also removes 10% of your current newbucks.

The game ends on Day 6 at noon and will present the player with a small splash screen telling them their results. Their save file is then disabled and the player can no longer access it.

There are three achievements directly associated with the 5 Day rush:
 * "5-Day Challenger": collect 10,000 by the end of the Rush.
 * "5-Day Champion": collect 25,000 by the end of the Rush.
 * "5-Day Plortmaster": collect 50,000 by the end of the Rush.

Upcoming
These modes have been mentioned on the Developer Roadmap and are not yet in the game.

Rush Mode
''The 5-Day Rush is getting an overhaul, including a name change! Rush Mode shares the same goal as the 5DR in that it's a race to get as many newbucks as you can in a limited period of time. However, Rush Mode introduces a variable time limit, that can be extended through smart, efficient play. It will also feature a few bonus offerings out on the range to encourage mixing up ranching with exploring. Please note that while we expect high scores to completely change, 5DR world records posted online will be preserved as Rush Mode scores will be distinguishable.''

Iron Rancher
''An exciting new game mode that adds a replay-able, survival-like experience to Slime Rancher! Aimed at veteran ranchers who have cleared Adventure Mode and seek an increased challenge, the Iron Rancher Competition has you racing against the clock to collect quotas of various plorts across multi-day rounds. However, each round offers unique challenges and remixed rules that greatly changes the standard Slime Rancher experience. Vampiric chickens? Whaaaa?''

Changes

 * 1.2.0 - Five Day Rush is now Rush Mode.
 * 1.1.0 - Casual Mode is implemented.
 * 0.3.0 - A new game mode has been added, the 5-Day Rush (the standard experience is now ‘Adventure’) where ranchers try to collect as many newbucks as possible over the course of 5 days.
 * 0.3.0c - Fix reversed list of most profitable plorts in 5-day-rush.