The game uses a third-person perspective with 2D, hand-drawn scenes. Players guide Ben through connected locations, speak with characters, inspect objects, collect items, and combine or use them to solve story puzzles.

Progression is mostly linear and divided into narrative chapters. The game also includes motorcycle sequences and combat encounters that use direct movement and timing rather than traditional inventory puzzles. Dialogue choices shape conversations and occasionally determine how the player advances.

Examine every important object and talk to characters more than once when the story changes. LucasArts puzzles often depend on combining an item with an environmental object or using it after a conversation reveals a new possibility.

Save before motorcycle encounters and other action scenes. During road sections, learn enemy movement patterns and use the environment rather than repeatedly attacking. If a puzzle seems blocked, revisit earlier locations and inspect newly available interaction points.