Descent presents levels from a first-person cockpit view. The main objective is to explore each mine, destroy enemy robots, collect access keys, and locate the reactor before escaping through the exit.

The campaign contains multiple numbered mines with secret areas, switches, power-ups, hostages, and a reactor encounter. The player manages energy, shields, ammunition, and a growing arsenal of primary and secondary weapons. DOS versions also support multiplayer modes, depending on the game build and network or modem setup.

Map each mine before committing to the reactor fight. Mark colored doors, inaccessible corridors, and unexplored branches so that the escape route is easy to find after the reactor begins its countdown.

Conserve powerful missiles for clustered enemies and reactor encounters. Use strafing and the full vertical space of rooms rather than fighting from a fixed corridor, and collect hostages when safe so exploration is rewarded without wasting shields.