In Arcs, players take the role of different factions, and try to score points by fulfilling specific goals called ambitions. The game is played in a number of chapters, and during each chapter players take turns playing several rounds until no one has cards left to play. Actions are determined by playing cards in a trick-taking adjacent system, where cards must be played following the lead suit. The action cards determine how players gather resources or special abilities, as well as build, move, or battle with their fleets of spaceships. Once all five chapters are completed, the player who has gained the most points from fullfilling ambitions wins the game.