BARNARD'S STAR deals with the critical battle in the Naronian War. Players assume the roles of the Naronian and Terran leaders fighting the battle on the planetary surface. As the battle progresses, it is a race against time for both players. The number of beacons destroyed will determine the fate of the coming Terran counterattack fleet.

The geomorphic maps provided with Barnard's Star represent an airless moon. These maps can be arranged in different ways to deliver a different game experience.