The Thrive stages can be divided into three Game Modes which are different gameplay segments with distinct perspective and actions available.
Organism Mode[]
The player controls one organism of its species, which have to survive and compete with your and other species. In the Organism Mode, the species can evolve using editors and split into different species. The gameplay can change if the organism become an animal, plant or stay as a cell.
The Microbe, Multicellular and Aware stages are part of the Organism Mode.
Stategy Mode[]
The player controls multiple organisms of its species in an RTS-like interface. In the Strategy Mode, the evolution is paused, because the time is usually slower in the stages which have the mode enabled. The Strategy Mode have some mechanics and editors, like the Tech and Nation editors, Society and Military centres and the Squads.
The Awakening, Society, Industrial and Space stages are part of the Strategy Mode.
Sandbox Mode[]
Sandbox Mode will be unlocked after the player has beaten the game, by ascending. The player controls the entire game environment with little to no artificial restrictions. This can be done using a variety of God Tools, as well as access to all editors from previous stages.
The Ascension stage is the only part of Sandbox mode.