There are 5 Game Modes. Survival, Creative, Peaceful, Adventure, Hardcore, and Spectator. 

1. Survival Mode

Objective: Manage resources and health while surviving against threats.

Gameplay: Players must gather resources, craft items, build shelters, and fend off enemies. Health and hunger need to be managed to stay alive.

This is the default Game Mode.

2. Peaceful Mode

Objective: Enjoy the game without hostile threats.

Gameplay: Similar to Survival Mode but with hostile mobs disabled. Players can focus on gathering resources and building without worrying about combat or health loss from enemies.

3. Creative Mode

Objective: Build and create freely with no limitations.

Gameplay: Players have unlimited resources and can fly. There are no health or hunger concerns, allowing for unrestricted construction and exploration.

4. Adventure Mode

Objective: Play custom maps and experiences designed by others.

Gameplay: Players follow specific rules and constraints set by map creators. This mode is often used for custom challenges, puzzles, or narrative-driven content. Interactions with certain blocks or items may be restricted.

Can only be accesed with Commands.

5. Spectator Mode

Objective: Observe the world without interacting.

Gameplay: Players can fly through blocks and view the game world from different angles. This mode allows for exploration and observation without affecting the game environment.

Can only be accessed with Commands, or when you die in Hardcore mode.

6. Hardcore Mode

Objective: Survive with increased difficulty and no Respawn.

Increased Difficulty: Enemies are tougher, and the overall challenge is greater compared to standard Survival Mode. This might include more aggressive mobs, faster hunger depletion, or other increased hazards.

No Respawn: If the player dies, the game does not provide the option to respawn. Instead, respawning makes you go into Spectator Mode.

You can also start with a Starter Chest, a chest that has good resources inside to help you. (You cannot in Hardcore mode)