The game is viewed from the marine’s first-person perspective. Each level requires the player to explore interconnected rooms, collect weapons and ammunition, find colored keys, activate switches, and reach the exit while surviving enemy attacks.

Progression is organized into episodes and levels with increasing enemy pressure and more complex layouts. Secret areas, health, armor, power-ups, and weapon pickups reward thorough exploration. The Jaguar release focuses on single-player combat and also includes multiplayer deathmatch options for linked consoles.

Conserve ammunition for powerful weapons, but do not hesitate to use the shotgun or chaingun against dangerous groups. Learn enemy attack patterns and keep moving rather than standing in open corridors.

Search every room for switches, keys, armor, and secret areas. Clear enemies before backtracking through narrow passages, and save high-damage weapons for large monsters or crowded encounters.