Players view the battlefield from behind the aircraft and complete mission objectives such as destroying targets, protecting allies, intercepting enemies, or reaching designated areas. Standard controls cover throttle, turning, guns, missiles, target selection, and braking.

The campaign is divided into missions with different aircraft, weapons, opponents, and operational conditions. The Japanese version uses route choices and multiple endings, while the North American and European versions present a more linear campaign with reduced narrative content. Successful missions advance the story and open later operations.

Prioritize mission objectives over unnecessary kills. Use guns at close range to conserve missiles, and keep a target selected so that incoming threats and objective markers remain easy to read.

Learn each aircraft's strengths before a difficult mission. High-speed aircraft are useful for interception, while agile aircraft are safer in close combat. In the Japanese campaign, mission choices can change the route and ending, so record decisions if you want to explore every branch.