The game features a cockpit view with an instrument panel, including a radar to track nearby aircraft, a compass for navigation and locating the airliner, an artificial horizon for flight orientation, an altimeter, a fuel gauge, and damage status indicators for both the player's aircraft and the escorted airliner.

[4][5] A status line on the instrument panel provides scrolling messages about the current situation, including warnings of incoming attacks.

[1][2][3][4] The game's visuals are relatively simple, with the sky, enemy aircraft, and the escorted airliner represented by basic shapes and silhouettes.

[1][2][3][4] Flyer Fox features limited sound effects, including missile lock-on tones and basic engine noises.

Reviewers from Crash magazine, commenting on the 1986 budget Spectrum release, found the game's age evident in its lack of polish.

[2] Gameplay received criticism for being repetitive and frustrating, with one Crash reviewer noting that "the lack of variety in play soon results in boredom setting in".