The player views each stage from a side-on perspective and can fly freely around a horizontally scrolling playfield. The main objective is to defend vulnerable colonists, destroy enemies, and survive long enough to complete the stage's requirements.

Stages contain terrain, hazards, targets, and increasingly dangerous opponents. Progress depends on piloting skill, quick movement, and prioritizing rescues before threats overwhelm the area. The game is designed for repeated arcade-style attempts, with later stages providing a greater challenge.

Protect colonists before chasing less urgent enemies. Keep moving across the playfield, use the full vertical space to avoid converging attacks, and learn the location of hazards before attempting high-scoring runs.

When several threats appear at once, rescue objectives should generally take priority. Short, controlled movements are safer near terrain and valuable targets than constant acceleration.