The gameplay is mostly reading text and dialogue between the characters and making decisions which can alter the story route that the player takes.

The gameplay requires little interaction from the player, as most of the duration of the game is spent simply reading the text that appears on the screen which represents either dialogue between the various characters or the inner thoughts of the protagonist.

Throughout the game, the player encounters CG artwork at certain points in the story, which take the place of the background art and character sprites.

The Da Capo 4 love interests are Arisu Sagisawa, the main heroine and a popular and outgoing student at the high school who frequently has to turn down confessions; Nino Tokisaka, Ichito's younger sister-in-law and an honor student who loves cats despite her cat allergy and has a devilish personality; Sorane Ōmi, Ichito and Nino's childhood friend and next-door neighbour who likes to cook and acts like an older sister to them; Hiyori Shirakawa, a beautiful troublemaker in Ichito's class who assumes the role of love contractor with a high success rate; Shīna Hōjō, a quiet but sharp-tongued girl who likes games and often comes across as difficult to approach; Miu Mishima, the president of the discipline committee who has a timid disposition and always has to scold Hiyori; finally, Chiyoko Hinohara, an eccentric and happy-go-lucky girl who records herself in live broadcasts using the stagename Choco.

[6] The character designers for the game were Natsuki Tanihara, Yuki Takano, Mamu Mitsumoto, Yū Kisaragi and Shayuri.

[11] Six writers were appointed to the game scenario: Hasama, Nakamichi Sagara, Shingo Hifumi, Kei Hozumi, Izumi Yūnagi and Hakumai Manpukutei.