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 Demo version at the end of its time limit.
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
Main article: Rush Mode
Rush Mode is a special game mode where the player has three days -which can be extended to five through Range Exchange trades - to earn as many Newbucks as possible, using any means at their disposal.
It is the successor to Five Day Rush.
Changes
- 1.2.1 - Added an intro animation to the start of Rush Mode.
- Added a pinch of pizzazz to the end animation for Rush Mode. (it’s much more than a pinch tbh)
- 1.2.0 - Five Day Rush is now Rush Mode.
- 1.2.0b - Fixed bug where certain gold gordos (not pointing any fingers here) in Rush Mode could “forget” how many gingers they'd eaten after you left the game.
- 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.