Air Assault uses a top-down vertical perspective. The aircraft moves through continuously scrolling stages while the player destroys airborne enemies, ground targets, turrets, and stage bosses.

The game is structured as an arcade run rather than a campaign with branching paths. Progress depends on surviving enemy patterns, collecting useful power-ups when available, and managing the limited bomb attack for dangerous situations. A single-player format is documented for the arcade release.

Stay near the center when the screen is relatively clear so there is room to react to enemies entering from either side. Move in short corrections instead of making large, panicked sweeps.

Learn the timing of recurring enemy waves and preserve bombs for dense bullet patterns, difficult crossings, or bosses. Prioritize threats that remain on screen and can restrict your movement.