The gameplay is similar to other early FPS titles such as Doom, in that all of the graphics for enemies and weapons are 2D sprites in a 3D setting, and the controls utilize the d-pad for tank-like movement and shoulder buttons for strafing.

Sever was developed by Crawfish Interactive, which obtained the license to create the game based on an early rendition of a script for Ballistic: Ecks vs.

Entertainment and Franchise Pictures allowed for the option to develop games based on any of the film company's received scripts.

[1] Mawson further stated that the creative team was "given free reign [sic] to a degree", allowing them mold a gameplay model around the base narrative, characters, and environments already provided.

The team constantly referred to the film script during the early developmental phases "to ensure the gameplay elements were relevant to the license in terms of atmosphere, theme and content".

Most notably, the titular lead Sever was switched from male to female, forcing Crawfish to replace the graphical artwork for that character.

Sever utilizes an in-house graphics engine, first showcased by Crawfish with the opening level of Doom II, leading up to the launch of the GBA.

[4] Lighting effects and more sprites existed in early stages of the project's development, but were scrapped to maintain acceptable frame rates.