Missions take place in open 3D airspace rather than on a fixed scrolling plane. The player flies through objectives, engages aircraft and ground targets, collects or uses weapons, and defeats a major target before the mission ends.

The campaign is divided into stages with branching or selectable routes in some situations. Different aircraft provide distinct handling and weapon characteristics. Multiplayer modes support competitive aerial combat, giving the game a separate party-oriented format beyond the single-player missions.

Learn to manage altitude and turning instead of constantly pitching toward targets. Keep moving during boss encounters, use the radar or target information to locate threats, and attack large enemies from angles that expose their vulnerable sections.

Choose an aircraft whose speed, turning, and weapon spread suit the mission. In multiplayer, avoid predictable straight-line approaches and watch opponents’ positions rather than focusing only on the nearest target.