Descent Freepsace is a mission-based space simulator. For this walkthrough, it is divided into three acts (based on the naming convention of the mission files.)
Each individual mission has a set of goals - primary goals which are expected to be completed, secondary goals which are optional, and bonus objectives that are optional and hidden. Completion or failure of some of these goals may change the situation in later missions,
Players just wanting to complete the game only need to fufill the advancement conditions of a given mission even if it usually results in a reprimanding debriefing. These advancement conditions match with specific events in the mission, as opposed to the primary objectives, thus players are free to jump out as soon as these conditions are met.
Alternatively, players can choose to maximize their score. To do so:
- Completing objectives, which provide the primary source of score.
- Destroying as many ships as possible (getting the most damage on said ship and at least 30% damage), or assisting in killing them (getting at least 15% damage)
- Avoid making requests to repair or resupply the ship (costs 50 points)