Gameplay in Vanguard Storm is similar to a turn-based strategy game except that the turns have time limits of which the player can reposition as many units as the time allows. The aim of the game is to defeat the waves of incoming enemies before they reach the right side of the screen of which they will gradually progress towards.
Defeating each wave of enemies will bring up the results screen which will show you your current score and any bonus points you have received.
Vanguard Storm features ten different maps each with a varying number of waves. Each map must be completed before the player is able to move onto the next one. Maps are accessible via the map select screen, the map select screen also displays a description of each map and the current high score for that map.