Turmoil is a fast-paced shooter where you pilot a ship trapped in a chamber with seven tunnels. Your goal is to zoom up and down the center alley, blasting aliens as they pass by. You must keep shooting and moving quickly to survive. If you stay in one place for too long, an indestructible enemy will attack, forcing you to move on.
The enemy ships in each tunnel have unique speeds, with faster ones worth more points. Sometimes, destroying an enemy ship will trigger a flashing orb at the end of the tunnel, allowing you to move down and recover it if grabbed quickly. Hesitating can result in a fast-moving missile that will destroy you.
When starting a game, you begin with five ships. If you complete all aliens in a level, you'll receive a bonus ship. You can hold up to six reserve ships at once. Losing a ship to an alien contact will leave you with fewer ships. There are nine levels, each with multiple waves that increase in speed and challenge.