The Note is an action adventure survival horror title set in a southern European town. Linda, Toshi, and Dave, three members of an occult group, go missing while investigating a mansion. Their mother sends her son Akira, a freelance journalist, on a mission to find the whereabouts of her daughter and the other two kids. You play as Akira, who is joined by his assistant Angela. The game follows your journey as you navigate through levels, interacting with almost everything in the rooms. You can open curtains, light fireplaces, examine paintings, and bind functions such as Check or Open to the shoulder-buttons for easy access to doors and weapons.
The gameplay involves exploring dark corners by lighting torches or opening curtains, using items to unlock secrets. You must also conserve your ammunition, as nightly creatures like rats, bats, werewolves, and zombies roam the levels.
The Note features exit points where you can visit the city to buy and sell supplies, rest, or save your game. The game's mechanics work similarly to menu-based role playing games.