Subterranean Animism is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game in which the player has to navigate through a total of six stages, while killing enemies and dodging their projectiles.

[1] Each stage contains two bosses, with large amounts of health and complex attack patterns called spell cards, that the player must defeat before advancing.

Patchouli Knowledge, who had previously read of a "power that was uncontrollable by the likes of the yōkai from above ground", warns Yukari Yakumo, who convinces Reimu to go underground and investigate.

[6] The creation of the geyser was instigated by Kanako Yasaka, who convinced the Hell raven Utsuho Reiuji to consume Yatagarasu (a mythical crow and guiding god in Shinto mythology) and acquire the power of nuclear fusion.

[7] Subterranean Animism has two playable characters, Reimu and Marisa, each of whom can choose one of three partners, that will give special abilities.