Pack the Essentials is a lightweight, abstract strategy game about packing cats in suitcases.

Throughout the game, players work to score as many points as possible by drafting and placing tiles in their suitcase to pack items, cats, and kittens; collect cat toys; and use the friendly neighborhood Pack Rat Service. Players also attempt to complete "To Do" list goals and create the largest sections of each color tile. The game plays over twelve rounds, then the player with the most points wins.

When playing with fewer than four people, players will additionally compete against The Cat Ladies Club, a simple AI opponent that creates the sensation of a four-player game by removing tiles from the draft pool just as other players do.