Greenvale is a small town somewhere in the northern United States. The sudden murder of a young girl draws FBI agent Francis York Morgan, a man with an unclear past and split personality Zach, into action. York comes to Greenvale to assist local law enforcement, but things aren't as simple as they seem. Strange red seeds, a mysterious man in a red raincoat, and secrets held by the town's residents are just a few of the mysteries that need solving. Deadly Premonition is a survival horror mystery game with open-world elements. The player controls Agent York as he investigates the strange circumstances in Greenvale. The town can be freely explored on foot or in a vehicle, with an accelerated day/night cycle that affects when shops are open and people are available to talk to. The game features a variety of weapons at York's disposal, including his FBI-issue pistol, machine guns, revolvers, knives, crowbars, and golf clubs. Each weapon has its strengths against different types of enemies, but York must also manage his health by eating, sleeping (or drinking coffee), shaving regularly, and washing his clothes when they get dirty.
Many story missions involve collecting evidence to piece together what happened in a particular area. As the player collects evidence, images in the scene become clearer, until all the evidence is collected and York becomes sure of what happened.
The game also features numerous side missions that allow York to engage in various activities such as fishing, time trial races, playing darts, or collecting hidden trading cards. He can purchase new suits, vehicles, and even access other characters' quests for rewards.