The game uses an overhead exploration view for cities, wilderness areas, and dungeons. The party investigates locations, talks with non-player characters, searches containers, solves quests, and chooses how to respond to factions and local problems.

Combat switches to a tactical, turn-based view. Characters move across a grid, attack with weapons or psionic abilities, cast spells, use items, and exploit terrain. Experience improves characters and can provide access to stronger abilities, while equipment, ammunition, food, and party condition must be managed during the campaign.

Use terrain and positioning rather than rushing into melee. Focus attacks on isolated enemies, protect fragile spellcasters, and conserve powerful abilities for encounters that cannot be avoided.

Explore thoroughly and speak with characters more than once. Keep useful equipment and supplies, make backup saves before major decisions, and consider noncombat solutions when faction relationships or quest outcomes are at stake.