The player controls an elephant who moves and jumps around a level with the goal of completing every achievement.

[4] Achievement Unlocked takes place on a single screen where the player controls an elephant.

All the player can do is move and jump, and the game has various surface-level targets and obstacles, such as finding hidden numbers and avoiding spikes.

For example, dying to the spikes, touching the hidden numbers in a specific order, and even doing nothing for a certain amount of time are all achievements that need to be completed.

[9][10] Escapist writer John Funk questioned whether it was ironic to enjoy collecting achievements in a game meant to lambaste that mindset.