Campus is an adventure game focusing on the college experience across multiple academic institutions. After creating a custom character, players begin a path that will eventually lead them toward a career in science. Borrowing elements from game like The Sims, Campus also has players monitoring the alter ego's hunger, thirst, sleep, and health levels as they attend classes, study subjects, and embark on various quests. Each university has specific tasks to complete, which are doled out by numerous students and faculty members populating the campus.
Light role-playing elements include building a character's stats while engaging in mini-games, multiple-choice exams, and other activities. To earn extra money, for example, players can play the stock market or work side jobs. They can then use their cash to purchase items from the Internet, buy "cheat sheets" to improve exam scores, and more. Featuring a whimsical approach to character models and environments, Campus offers an equally lighthearted storyline that involves thwarting a sinister global organization and trying to win the coveted Nobel Prize.