Lock On presents a combat aircraft in scrolling battle stages. The objective is to advance through each mission, destroy airborne enemies and ground installations, and survive the enemy fire until the stage encounter is cleared.

The aircraft can fire directly while moving around the playfield, and the lock-on mechanic rewards lining up targets before using the stronger homing-style attack. Progress is stage based rather than exploration based, so learning enemy entrances, projectile patterns, and safe positions is central to advancement. The game is designed for one player on one SNES console.

Use the regular shot to remove immediate threats while reserving the lock-on attack for dense formations or targets that are difficult to approach safely. Avoid chasing every enemy; maintaining a stable position is often safer than crossing the screen to collect a target.

Memorize the entrances of aircraft and the timing of ground fire on repeated attempts. During difficult encounters, prioritize enemies that limit movement first, then attack larger targets when the surrounding screen is clear.