Time Crisis 4 is the fourth main game in the series and was once again ported from the arcade version. In the original arcade mode, the plot tells about Giorgio Bruno and Evan Bernard, part of the taskforce V.S.S.E., who investigate a secret weapon that is smuggled by a terrorist organization known as W.O.L.F.
The gameplay involves timed sections where both offensive and defensive actions need to be taken, allowing for two player simultaneous play. The game also features free-roaming environments in its Complete Mission mode, where players control captain William Rush, with the ability to switch between available weapons.
The game includes various additional modes such as Crisis missions and shooting gallery mini-games, making it a more diverse experience than previous titles in the series. A Guncon 3 light gun controller is included with the game, featuring infrared emitters and two analog sticks for enhanced gameplay.