Despite its fantasy setting, Wings of Death is a standard vertically scrolling shooter in which multiple enemies in formation enter the screen from above and can either be avoided or destroyed to release power-ups.

The player may transform into several forms, including a giant eagle, a griffon, and a dragon.

[3] A spell of the evil witch queen Xandrilia transformed her hated rival, the magician Sagyr, into a winged creature.

Now the player's role is to guide Sagyr in his quest to defeat the witch for once and for all, and revert into a human being.

"[5] Paul Roundell of Amiga Computing later opined the game was "underrated on its release.