It’s 1984. A Soviet Typhoon-Class submarine named Red October is under the command of Captain Marko Ramius to send the vessel to the United States and prevent the submarine from being misused to start a war. The player navigates the titular submarine in a series of underwater stages, avoiding collision with walls and surfaces, while taking out naval and airborne threats with torpedoes, guided warheads, and the Caterpillar Drive for temporary stealth. An in-game radar is provided, showing the area around the submarine and any units in the vicinity.