The Last Shed You Defend Before You Die is an action game that is filled with problem-solving, which emerges from the game mechanics. The game can be played solitaire or in co-op. It includes mechanics such as bag and deck-building, with a focus on storytelling. The game presents tense decisions in a world where you can plan for almost anything.

As a player, you have access to different action cards on your hand. During your turn, you can use these cards to explore locations, find parts to fix the escape car, kill zombies, discover treasures, or craft new items (cards) that will aid you in the future.

When you defeat a zombie they will drop loot such as gears, ammo, batteries, or food if you are lucky. If you run out of luck, they might pollute the board with blood, corpses, new zombies or increase panic.

After you have played all your actions, it's the game’s turn to move zombies closer to you and your shed. For each Zombie that reaches the shed, you will lose one life (a card).

Your objective is to start a car. You may attempt to start the car once per turn if it’s in play. The more parts you have, the greater the chance to start the car. If you find all 6 parts and reach the car, you’ll succeed in the game.

Upon successful completion of the game, you tally your score. The game offers 3 levels of difficulty, each providing new items to craft and introducing new events.