Threshold is a simple shoot 'em up game where you control a spaceship at the bottom of the screen, tasked with shooting enemy formations at the top. Your goal is to clear waves of enemies and earn time bonuses.
As you progress, your spacecraft is equipped with limited fuel tanks that will refill after clearing waves. However, your laser armament comes with a catch: it overheats easily due to the constant firing. Each shot increases the heat bar, rendering your ship immobile until it cools down and replenishes its fuel supply.