Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator is an arcade action game where you take control of the Starship Enterprise . Your mission is to save the Federation from NOMAD! Before you get a chance at destroying NOMAD, you'll have to battle your way through ten levels (each consisting of multiple rounds). In each round, you may encounter Klingon fighters, deadly anti-matter saucers, asteroid fields, and deadly meteors, all of which are capable of depleting the Enterprise's energy. The game ends when your energy supply has completely run out. To fight these dangers, the Enterprise is equipped with an unlimited supply of phasers and a limited supply of photon torpedoes. Each round also contains one or more starbases; if you dock at a starbase, some of your supplies (such as energy and torpedoes) will be replenished.
The gameplay involves navigating the Enterprise through the levels while avoiding obstacles and enemies. You can use your phasers to destroy targets, and when necessary, release photon torpedoes to blast holes in asteroids or disable enemy ships. Managing your energy supply is crucial, as running out will result in game over.