The camera follows a fixed route through each stage, while enemies appear in scripted groups. The objective is to defeat hostile soldiers, survive set-piece encounters, and reach the end of the mission before the timer expires.

Pressing the fire control exposes Richard and allows him to shoot; the cover control hides him and protects him from most attacks. Targets include ordinary soldiers, armored enemies, and stage bosses. The game includes the main arcade-style mission and additional challenge content, with progression based on clearing stages and improving performance.

Use cover frequently rather than trying to outshoot every enemy while exposed. Learn when each enemy group appears, then leave cover only long enough to fire accurate shots.

Prioritize enemies that are already aiming at Richard, and conserve time by targeting visible weak points instead of firing randomly. Against bosses, observe their attack cycle and attack during the brief openings between volleys.