The game uses a top-down perspective. The primary objective changes by mission and may include destroying targets, rescuing hostages, transporting personnel, gathering intelligence, or protecting friendly units. Enemies include ground troops, armored vehicles, air defenses, and other hazards.

Players navigate broad maps, manage ammunition and fuel, select weapons, and return to designated landing or extraction areas. Missions form a campaign, with later operations increasing the number of objectives and the danger posed by enemy defenses.

Read the mission objectives before engaging targets. Some missions require rescue or reconnaissance work, so destroying everything in sight can waste ammunition and cause failures.

Use the map to plan safe routes, conserve powerful weapons for armored targets, and land or resupply whenever the mission permits. Avoid lingering near concentrated air defenses.