The game uses a mostly side-scrolling perspective. Ben travels through stages, defeats enemies, reaches objectives, and uses alien abilities to bypass hazards or solve simple environmental puzzles.

Progression is divided into story levels with combat encounters, platforming sections, and occasional touch-screen challenges. Different alien forms provide distinct attacks and movement options, so selecting the appropriate transformation is central to advancing.

Learn which alien forms are best for attacking, breaking obstacles, and reaching elevated areas. Switching forms before an encounter is usually safer than relying on one transformation throughout a stage.

Explore side paths for collectibles and upgrades, and avoid rushing into groups of enemies. Against tougher opponents, use an alien's strongest reliable attack, then retreat rather than repeatedly trading damage.