Rise to Power is set in a futuristic world, one which has discovered an abundant source of energy, dubbed PRISM. Competing power companies are scrambling to extract as much PRISM as they can to increase their influence by powering districts and, ultimately, controlling the city's power needs.

At its core, Rise to Power is a city-building strategy card game. Players take turns extracting PRISM, and using it to fulfil district contracts offered by the government.

As players power districts, their play area will reflect the state of their city influence. The more districts powered, the more visually stunning their city will look.