The beast form is tall and heavy, such that it can make only mild jumps, but in some places its size allows it to step across gaps that the other two forms would have to jump over. It can run faster and cast spells more easily than other forms. The lizard form is small, allowing it to enter tunnels inaccessible to other forms, but preventing it from crossing even shallow streams of water without drowning. Later in the game the player acquires spells which can be used to change form at will if in human or lizard form once in beast form Luther must wait to change randomly back to human form, since the beast cannot cast spells. The player character, Luther, has a curse which causes him to randomly change between three forms: human, lizard, and beast. Navigating through the environment also often involves platforming challenges, some of which can be undertaken only in one specific form. However, some puzzles also require the player to cast spells, use their melee attack, or drag objects and even enemy corpses into specific locations. Like in most adventure games, the player can interact with objects and people by clicking on them, collect items into an inventory, and use items from their inventory on environmental objects.

Similar to its contemporary Realms of the Haunting, Guardians of Destiny is a first-person adventure game which, while featuring occasional combat, revolves around the solving of puzzles.

Guardian of lore