MUSHA is played from a top-down vertical perspective. The objective is to guide the MUSHA armor through a sequence of stages, destroy enemies, survive bullet patterns, and defeat large end-of-stage bosses.

The player moves freely around the screen while firing continuously or manually, collects power-ups, switches among weapon types, and uses support options that orbit the ship. Weapon levels can be increased by collecting matching items, but taking damage reduces offensive strength. Bombs provide emergency screen-clearing attacks, and limited continues allow further attempts.

Stages introduce different enemy formations, terrain hazards, scrolling patterns, and bosses. The game is primarily a single-player arcade-style campaign with progression based on survival and score.

Stay near the lower middle of the screen so you have room to react while still seeing incoming threats. Collect weapon items deliberately instead of moving into danger for a small power increase.

Use the orbiting support units to cover angles that the main shot cannot reach, and change weapon types when enemy formations or terrain make the current pattern inefficient. Save bombs for dense bullet patterns, sudden ambushes, or boss attacks that are difficult to read.

Learn each stage's enemy entrances and boss phases. Preserving weapon power is often more valuable than chasing score items, especially late in a run.